Country music legend Wynonna Judd might have one of the most impressive fans in the music industry. Marbie Baugh has seen the singer perform in 49 of the 50 states of the U.S.
On Jan. 30, while co-hosting TODAY with Jenna & Friends, Judd made sure Baugh would get to her 50th state.
Judd told Baugh she’s flying her out to a concert in New Mexico, the only state Baugh hasn’t seen Judd perform in (yet).
“I’m speechless. Now I have to find a new goal in life!” Baugh said, blown away.
Growing up in Fort Payne, Alabama, Baugh suffered a tragedy when her father passed away when she was 13. For Baugh, Judd’s music, which she first heard performed by a local band at a church camp, was a lifeline.
“As a 13-year-old, you don’t expect to go through life without a father,” Baugh said. “The music came into my life, that voice just resonated with my soul: don’t give up. The message was there: just keep moving.”
As a teenager, Baugh set her sights on going to Judd’s 1991 farewell concert. But the high school senior simply could not afford the $25 ticket prices, which she said might as well have cost her thousands.
Almost a decade later, Baugh had a job that allowed her to afford concert tickets. She saw her first Judd show in nosebleed seats in 1999.
“The live music just touches you even more deeply than you can imagine,” she said.
After her first show, Baugh began to visit any concerts she could within driving distance. Before she knew it, she had seen Judd play in about 35 states. Then, committed to see her idol in all 50.
After hitting Alaska, Montana and Washington State, Baugh had one final location: New Mexico. That’s when Judd swooped in with her surprise.
This isn’t the first time Baugh and Judd have met. Judd described their relationship as “more than show business.” She’s brought Baugh backstage at multiple concerts and said they have a relationship, discussing their personal lives.
“I don’t have 100 million followers, but I have the ones that matter,” Judd said on TODAY with Jenna & Friends. “I know their first name, I know her story, I know that she takes care of her mother, I know where she is in the audience. You’re one of my important people that I claim by family of choice.”
