‘Spotlight on the Judds’ at the Camelot performs the mother-daughter duo’s hits with a beautiful blend of voices and a terrific band

By Lucie K. Scheuer for Ashland.news

Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old days
Sometimes it feels like this world’s gone crazy
Grandpa, take me back to yesterday
When the line between right and wrong
Didn’t seem so hazy

— Sung by the Judds, written by Jamie O’Hara

The story of the Judds, primarily mom — Naomi Judd, and daughter, Wynonna — is about as country as you can get. There were rough starts for both mother and daughter. There were days hoping they could make the rent, waiting tables and waiting for callbacks that never came. And there were the men who didn’t stick around and the endless trips over several years between Kentucky and L.A. in their “Candy-apple red ’57 Chevy Bel Air” — and finally — great success. Of all the women’s country anthems and stories that have been sung on the stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame, their songs and their stories are certainly worth sharing and hearing.

On stage through Feb. 9

Although the Judds, for the most part, went their separate ways in the ’90s, you can experience some of the best this duo had to offer and their biggest hits at “Spotlight on the Judds,” starring Livia Genise as Naomi, Rebecca K. Campbell as Wynonna and Janina Brown as singer and narrator, currently playing at the Camelot Theatre through Feb. 9.

Let me tell you what is so good about this performance. It captures the authentic presentation of their music, the way the original hits were sung. There was nothing pretentious about the Judds and there’s nothing pretentious about this performance. All three women have strong, expressive voices that blend beautifully together. On a few they even have band member Bob Jackson Miner playing a mean harmonica and joining them on vocals.

Livia Genise has some attributes in common with the late Naomi Judd. Like Judd, Genise is a multitalented woman who has worked tirelessly in her career. Who better then to not only direct but perform in this country rock retrospective? Genise knows theater and she knows music. She has lived it and breathed it. And she sings on over 10 of the 25 songs.

Campbell as Wynonna performs with such confidence. She possesses a strong, muscular voice that you can feel right down to the tips of your toes. There were a few numbers where she might have even toned it down a little, but when she belts out “Mama He’s Crazy” and “Girls Night Out,” she has you in the palm of her hand.

Fabulous house band

And there’s that fabulous house band. They’ve earned that distinction because for spotlight after spotlight they have played with a cohesion and a determination that would leave lots of bands in the dust. Some magic happens when these musicians get together, and the Camelot is lucky to have them. They are: Karl Iverson on keyboards, Scott McGuire on pedal steel guitar, Bob Jackson Miner on harmonica, Bill Scholer on guitar, Larry Smith on bass and Steve Sutfin on drums. Brent Olstad as music director and arranger has once again done a fine job of matching the band with the singers.

Charles Cherry has written an interesting script which Janina Brown wrestled with a bit. The sound by Nick Chandler is well balanced. Brian O’Connor’s video adds visual interest to the narrative and Kate Landon’s spotlighting. Erin Braal’s costumes are a bit frumpy in Act I and first-rate in Act II.

Wynonna sings a wonderful song by Harlan Howard, Sonny Throckmorton and Brent Maher called “Why Not Me?” about a woman trying to get a man’s attention. She sings: Why not me on a rain day? / Why not me to love your cares away?… Why not me when the nights get cold? / Why not me when you’re growin’ old?

Those are a good questions. Why not check out “Spotlight on the Judds”? You might have a simple but memorable experience.

For tickets or more information, go to the Camelot website or call the box office at 541-535-5250.

Ashland resident Lucie K. Scheuer is a former copy editor and staff writer with the Los Angeles Times, where her work included features, reviews and a column on films in production. Email her at [email protected].