By Alexandra Pecci
Correspondent

Country legend Wynonna Judd comes to Portsmouth this weekend for the latest in The Music Hall’s “Intimately Yours” concert series.

“Wynonna is an iconic country figure,” says Executive Director Patricia Lynch. “I think she’s really a mega star. And to have her in this beautiful, restored historic theater in this really cool town with 200 restaurants, it just embodies what The Music Hall is all about: bringing you the very best in one of the coolest little spots on earth.”

The Music Hall show catches Judd on the tail-end of a solo tour, which will wrap up in time for her to head out on tour with her mother, Naomi.

Judd has come a long way from her modest Kentucky upbringing. In the 25 years since shooting to stardom as half of the mother-daughter country duo The Judds, the singer-songwriter has won five Grammy awards, penned a best-selling book, and released seven solo albums.

For her new compilation CD, “Love Heals,” she’s teamed with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in support of Wounded Warrior Project, which helps wounded service men and women and their families.

Judd combines captivating, superstar talent with down-to-earth performances, which is fitting for a show at the gorgeous, yet intimate, Music Hall.

“I’m thinking that Wynonna is really going to connect with the audiences. She’s a real people person. She changes her show; she doesn’t just play a set list of songs,” Lynch promises.

“She’s spontaneous, very much into audience interaction, so I think this is going to be a perfect place to see her because the Music Hall is so intimate and the connection that the performers feel with the audience is palpable.”

Lynch says “Intimately Yours” is getting really popular with artists who normally play larger venues, because of The Music Hall’s beauty, history, acoustics, and location. Later this fall, the series will feature The Indigo Girls, Art Garfunkel, Chris Isaak, and other artists.

“This series is what it’s titled: ‘Intimately Yours,’” says Lynch. “It’s a real opportunity to see performers that you might normally see in venues twice this size up close and personal in a superior acoustic setting.”

Lynch thinks Wynonna will have as much fun at The Music Hall as the audience will watching her.

“I’m expecting that she’s going to fall in love with The Music Hall the way almost everyone does,” she says. “In fact, when Jonny Lang was just here a couple weeks ago, he said, ‘Who can point me to a real estate agent? I’m in love with this theater; I’m in love with this town.’”

If you go:
What: “Intimately Yours: An Evening with Wynonna.”
Where: The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth.
When: Sunday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m.
How: Tickets are $65 and $85. Call 603-436-2400 or visit themusichall.org