Naomi Judd was born Diana Ellen Judd on January 11, 1946, in Ashland, Kentucky. She played piano at her local church. At age 17, she married Michael Ciminella, with whom she had Christina Ciminella, who would later be renamed Wynonna Judd. After Diana’s parents divorced, she and her daughter moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1968, and lived on welfare after she and Michael divorced in 1972. By 1979, Diana and her daughter moved back to Tennessee. Diana renamed herself Naomi and began playing music with her daughter, who sang lead and played guitar. At the same time, Naomi began studying to be a nurse.

Naomi was a dogged promoter of the act, and was reportedly propositioned, sexually harassed and dismissed when she tried to promote the act using a tape produced for $30 to Nashville music producers and to anyone who would listen. In 1983, they got their big break when Naomi convinced a record producer whose child she had cared for as a nurse to come to her home and listen to the act. The producer was “charmed” and the duo was signed by RCA and Curb. Their biggest hits, “Girls Night Out ” (1985); “Turn it Loose” (1988); “Why Not Me” (1984); “I Know Where I’m Going (1987); and “Grandpa” (1986); electrified audiences. Naomi was the performer of the group, and the business leader, while Wynonna was the artistic and lyrical leader.