MONTE VISTA – Country singing legend Wynonna brought that “true country bass” to kick off the 102nd annual Ski-Hi Stampede.
Thursday’s crowd helped themselves to the delicious annual Monte Vista Rotary Chuck Wagon Dinner before the concert and took in the sights at Wright’s Amusements carnival before heading into the concert venue.
Country music icon Wynonna Judd stepped onto the stage in a black country and western style blazer, with light blue trim on the arms and pockets, gemstones on the sleeves, and a sharp black cowboy hat adorned with sparkling rhinestones. Her long, red, wavy hair cascading from under the hat and framed her beautiful smiling face.
The crowd went wild as she stepped to the front of the stage, complete with a blue string electric guitar and opened with the fan favorite “I Saw the Light.” Many in the audience sang along with Wynonna.
During her 90-minute set, Wynonna sang “I Hear You Knocking,” “I Know Where I Am Going,” “Rock Bottom,” and “Hey Good Looking,” all the while speaking casually with the crowd throughout the evening.
“Is this really happening? We are in Colorado,” Wynonna said. “I am so glad to be here with you, it’s been a long journey to get out here. Rodeos are my absolute favorite places to play, I was 18 years old when I played my first rodeo. You all are my kind of people.
“I wish the rest of the nation did life like you all do,” she said with big smile.
Wynonna pointed to a woman in the audience holding a baby and said, “Glad you brought the baby and some headphones for her, too. She doesn’t know who I am, and she don’t care, but mamma does and that’s what matters.”
Wynonna explained that for those in the crowd who did not know who she was, that she was an artist who was formerly known as the Judds musical duo with her late mother, Naomi, who died in 2022.
The Judds were one of the most successful acts in country music history, winning five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and nine Country Music Association awards. They also charted more than 20 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including fourteen that went to number one.
The Judds disbanded in 1991 and Wyonna began a solo career. Wynonna has released eight studio albums, a live album, a holiday album, and two compilation albums, with over 20 singles.
In 2022, Wynonna was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as a member of The Judds. Wynonna has five songs that are number one and she was part of 14 top hits with the Judds.
Wynonna told the crowd she loved country music because it was so “real.” At one point, she looked up to the sky and said, “Thank you Mamma.”
Wynonna sang some of her greatest hits, including “No One Else on Earth,” “Tell Me Why,” “Only Love,” and “Grandpa.” She invited the crowd repeatedly to sing along with her, and they did.
Wynonna lit up the stage, dancing, walking around and entertaining the crowd. At one point, she introduced her husband, Cactus Moser, who plays the drums fiercely in her band. Moser bantered with Wynonna to the delight of the crowd, even stealing a kiss on stage.
“Thank you for showing up for me tonight,” she said. “Out of all my husbands, I love you the best,” she said with a chuckle. The crowd went wild. Then Moser announced that he was from Colorado, with Wynonna adding that he was from Montrose.
Moser came from behind the drum set and stood next to his wife Judd and they played and sang a couple of songs together. Wynonna dedicated her song “Love is Alive,” to Moser, and anyone in the audience who needed some inspiration that night.
Judd finished her set with “No One Else on Earth,” but returned an encore song, that was followed with a firework display.
Max McNown, of Bend, Ore., got the crowd revved up for Wynonna with a crisp 30-minute performance playing a blend of original material and some well-known covers.
McNown sang a piece he wrote for his brother, Brock, who is battling cancer, called “Can’t Hide Light.” Brock was on the stage filming his brother’s performance.
“This next song is really close to my heart. My older brother Brock, who is taking photos right there. I wrote this song about everything he has gone through, and how there’s always a light in it, and it never ever went out so, you can’t hide light,” McNown said.
The Ski-Hi Stampede continued Friday with a parade in Downtown Monte Vista, followed by local rodeo in the afternoon and PRCA action that same night.
There’s another parade downtown Saturday morning followed by PRCA action Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the Ski-Hi Complex in Monte Vista. For more information, visit www.skihistampede.com.
