Power Couple Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani Pay Tribute To The Judds With ‘Love Is Alive’ Duet

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are teaming up to honor The Judds with a new rendition of the duo’s iconic…

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Lauren Jo Black

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August 18, 2023

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Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani; Photo Courtesy ABC

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are teaming up to honor The Judds with a new rendition of the duo’s iconic ballad, “Love Is Alive,” featured on the upcoming A Tribute To The Judds album.

The beloved couple brings the song to life as they trade verses, with Stefani taking the lead and Shelton adding harmonies.  

Stefani opens the track as she sings, “Love ain’t a candle/ It doesn’t burn for one night/ And need the dark to shine/ Love is alive.”  

Shelton later joins in, harmonizing with her on the second verse and chorus.  

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“Love Is Alive” was written solely by Kent Robbins and was released in May of 1985 as the third single from The Judds’ album, Why Not Me. The song went on to become The Judds’ fourth No.1 hit.     

The pair of hitmakers were honored to be a part of the project.  

“I have always admired The Judds, and I am so thrilled to be part of this album,” Gwen Stefani said. “‘Love Is Alive’ is an iconic track and performing the song with Blake is a perfect way to honor their timeless discography.”

“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,” Blake Shelton added. “‘Love Is Alive’ was on their first album, and we wanted to stick pretty close to the original version, and Gwen just nails the vocals. We’re thrilled to be part of this tribute album.”

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton attend the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center; Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for CMT
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton attend the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center; Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for CMT

The song’s producer, Brent Maher, shared that Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are the perfect pairing for the reimagined version of this tune. 

“What a treat it was to re-record this wonderful song written by Kent Robbins. All I can say about Gwen’s vocal is, it’s perfect, and Blake’s harmony parts are wonderful. I absolutely love how this recording turned out,” said Brent Maher. “I think we captured the original essence of the song with Don Potters acoustic part and Eddie Bayers groove. Richard Bennett’s Electric guitar and Bobby Ogdin’s Keyboards gave this track the fresh vibe we wanted. Glen Worf’s bass part sealed the deal.”

This cover marks Shelton and Stefani’s fifth duet together, following their chart-topping hits “Nobody But You” and “Happy Anywhere” as well as their Christmas collaboration, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas.”

“Love Is Alive” will appear on Tribute To The Judds, a compilation project that commemorates four decades of the legendary country duo, The Judds. 

A Tribute To The Judds
A Tribute To The Judds

In addition to Shelton and Stefani, dozens of other artists will also be featured on the forthcoming tribute album, including Wynonna Judd, Ashley McBryde, Barnett, Lynne, and West, Blake Shelton, Carl Perkins, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Dolly Parton, Ella Langley, Gabby Barrett, Jamey Johnson, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Nettles, K. Michelle, Lainey Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Megan Moroney, Molly Tuttle, O.N.E. The Duo, Raul Malo, Reba McEntire, Rob Ickes, Shelly Fairchild, Sonya Isaacs, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Trey Hensley, Trisha Yearwood, and Wendy Moten.

Throughout A Tribute To The Judds, every artist will infuse their distinctive musical style into the esteemed melodies of The Judds. This results in a compelling tribute to one of the globe’s most cherished and pioneering duos.

Every track on the tribute album was developed by The Judds’ original producer and six-time Grammy award winner, Brent Maher except for “Cry Myself to Sleep” which was produced by four-time CMA winner Cactus Moser (who is also the husband of Wynonna Judd).

The Judds; Photo by Getty Images for CMT
The Judds; Photo by Getty Images for CMT

Marking The Judds’ four-decade milestone since their signing to RCA Records under the guidance of Joe Galante, who not only acted as the project’s executive producer but also played a pivotal role in realizing the album with Renee Bell. Galante’s prior collaboration with The Judds’ led to a series of remarkable achievements, including 6 multi-platinum studio albums, 5 Grammy Awards, 9 CMA Awards, 8 ACM Awards, and an esteemed induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

“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. These songs are so timeless and I am so excited for them to live on for generations to come,” Wynonna Judd shared in a statement.

“To all of you who listen to this music, I wish you could have been with us in the studio when we recorded these songs. There was a joy and passion along with some poignant moments in re-recording these Judd songs that are impossible to describe. I hope you enjoy this record as much as we enjoyed making it,” Brent Maher added.

“Renee Bell and I were thrilled to be part of A Tribute to the Judds as Executive Producers. After my signing of The Judds in 1983, and Wynonna going to MCA when Renee was director of A&R, it was a special reunion for all of us,” Joe Galante shared. “With Brent Maher at the helm of producing all of the timeless Judds’ music we are honoring, it was the perfect combination. We couldn’t be more excited about the incredible artists that have brought their own styles to these great songs.”

A Tribute To The Judds Track List

1. Girls Night Out – Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Jennifer Nettles, Gabby Barrett

2. Mama He’s Crazy – Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton

3. Why Not Me – Megan Moroney

4. Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) [feat. Sonya Isaacs] – Cody Johnson

5. Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain – Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild

6. Young Love (Strong Love) – Ella Langley and Jamey Johnson

7. Have Mercy – LeAnn Rimes

8. Love Is Alive – Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton

9. Had A Dream (For The Heart) – Wendy Moten and O.N.E The Duo

10. I Know Where I’m Going – Barnett, Lynne & West

11. Let Me Tell You About Love – Carl Perkins and Raul Malo

12. John Deere Tractor – Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and Molly Tuttle

13. Cry Myself To Sleep – Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood

14. Love Can Build A Bridge – Jelly Roll, K. Michelle, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers

The Judds were composed of Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd, who passed away in April of 2022.

The mother-daughter duo earned 14 No. 1 hits during their career that spanned nearly three decades, including “Love Can Build a Bridge,” “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not Me,” “Turn It Loose,” “Girls Night Out,” “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain” and “Grandpa.”

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The Judds toured in the ’80s where they had a catalog of twenty Top 10 hits, 20 million-plus albums sold, a combined 16 Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum albums, and The Judds Greatest Hits.

Since launching their career in 1983, the duo went on to release six studio albums and an EP. The superstar pair have also won several awards, including nine CMA Awards, seven Academy Of Country Music Awards and five GRAMMY Awards for hits like “Why Not Me” and “Give A Little Love.”

After rising to fame, the iconic country duo broke up in 1991 after Doctors diagnosed Naomi with hepatitis c. In addition to her celebrated music career, Naomi was also an actress, having appeared in several TV movies and TV series.

The Judds; Photo by Brent Harrington/CBS
The Judds; Photo by Brent Harrington/CBS

On May 1, 2022, Wynonna Judd accepted the high honor of The Judds being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame with her sister, Ashley, by her side. During their appearance at the event, the sisters paid tribute to their late mother with a tearful speech and by reciting a biblical verse.

Their induction came just one day after Naomi Judd passed away at the age of 76 on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Her death shocked the country music community.

Her passing was revealed on social media in a statement from her daughters. “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy…  lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” the statement read. “We are shattered [and] we are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public [and] we are in unknown territory.”

A Tribute To The Judds will also be partnering with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), in honor of Naomi Judd. For more information on NAMI, click HERE.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.