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Blake Shelton was “thrilled” to cover a classic ballad by The Judds with his wife, pop superstar Gwen Stefani, on a tribute album to mark the iconic mother-daughter duo’s 40th anniversary. Shelton and Stefani debuted their rendition of “Love Is Alive” on Friday (August 18), the first single from the A Tribute To The Judds compilation project.
The Judds — Wynonna Judd and her late mother, Naomi Judd — released “Love Is Alive” on their 1984 album, Why Not Me. The award-nominated power ballad has become a classic Judds anthem that’s been beloved for decades: “Love is alive/ And at our breakfast table/ Everyday of the week/ Love is alive/ And it grows everyday and night/ Even in our sleep/ Love is alive/ And its made a happy woman out of me/ Oh, love is alive/ And here by me.”
“The Judds are one of the greatest country acts of our lifetime. 80’s country music is my favorite decade, and I’ve been singing Judd songs for as long as I can remember,” Shelton said in a statement. “‘Love Is Alive’ was on their first album, and we wanted to stick pretty close to the original version, and Gwen just nails the vocal. We’re thrilled to be part of this tribute album.”
Stefani echoed that she’s “always admired The Judds, and I am so thrilled to be part of this album. ‘Love Is Alive’ is an iconic track and performing the song with Blake is a perfect way to honor their timeless discography.”
Husband-and-wife duo Shelton and Stefani recorded their version of “Love Is Alive” to be included on the star-studded track list of the tribute album that’s due this fall. Other artists to appear on th album include Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Lainey Wilson, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson and many others:
- Girls Night Out – Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Jennifer Nettles, Gabby Barrett
- Mama He’s Crazy – Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton
- Why Not Me – Megan Moroney
- Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) [feat. Sonya Isaacs] – Cody Johnson
- Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain – Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild
- Young Love (Strong Love) – Ella Langley and Jamey Johnson
- Have Mercy – LeAnn Rimes
- Love Is Alive – Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
- Had A Dream (For The Heart) – Wendy Moten and O.N.E The Duo
- I Know Where I’m Going – Barnett, Lynne & West
- Let Me Tell You About Love – Carl Perkins and Raul Malo
- John Deere Tractor – Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and Molly Tuttle
- Cry Myself To Sleep – Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood
- Love Can Build A Bridge – Jelly Roll, K. Michelle, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers
“To have all of these artists, most of which are my friends, come together and lend their voices and artistry to reimagine these songs, is so special,” Judd said in a statement earlier this week. “These songs are so timeless and I am so excited for them to live on for generations to come.”
A Tribute To The Judds will partner with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), in Naomi’s honor, per a press release issued earlier this week. Naomi died unexpectedly in April 2022 after long enduring the disease of mental illness, her two daughters announced at the time. She was 76.
The tribute album will be available on October 27.