Judds’ lively concert warms up country fans

Country music fans got a rare treat Sunday afternoon, as the Judds paid only their second and probably last visit to Maine.

“It may be cold outside, but I feel warmth in this room,” daughter Wynonna Judd told the 4,500 in the crowd at the Augusta Civic Center.

The Judds will be dissolving early next year, as a four-year battle with hepatitis has taken its toll on mother Naomi Judd.

Wynonna, the duo’s lead vocalist, definitely has the pipes to be a solo performer. She was at her best Sunday when growling out such bluesy numbers as “Born to be Blue,” “Give a Little Love” and “Rompin’ Stompin’ Bad Livin’ Blues.”

Naomi’s harmony vocals can be replaced by a couple of talented back-up singers. But she long stood as the duo’s personality and showman. She introduced the songs and enthusiastically chatted with the audience. She also sashayed around the stage, flirting with the Judd Band’s six members, mussing hair and tugging sleeves. It’s this self-confidence on stage Wynonna will have to develop.

In their one-hour, five-minute set, the Judds ran the gamut of their eight-year career, from early hits like “Mama, He’s Crazy” and “Have Mercy,” both sung during their encore, to their most recent hit, the haunting ballad “Guardian Angels.”

Audience participation was frequent, as they swayed, clapped and sang along with the Judds.

Naomi invited one man to the front of the stage, pointed to him, and said, “Ladies, this is our biggest problem. Men — they’re only good for vehicle maintenance, lawn care and lifting heavy objects.” The duo then launched into the torch song, “Change of Heart.”

The Judds also shared the spotlight with members of their entourage. Naomi brought each band member forward, embarrassing each with a short story. She grabbed the belt of a roadie named Bubba, teasing him by calling him the group’s fashion consultant. He returned the favor, alluding to her sequined brown dress and saying, “Doesn’t she look special?”

Special, that’s a good word for an entertaining concert which was probably the end of an era, at least for Maine fans.

Sawyer Brown, back in Augusta for the second time in seven months, was as energized as always during their 45-minute set.

Lead singer Mark Miller danced, strutted, kicked and bounced all over the stage, drawing shrieks from many female fans, although he didn’t milk that appreciation as he did in last March’s concert. Gaining screams and whistles as he removed his jacket, Miller just said, “Thank you.”

Prominent as always in the Sawyer Brown mix were Bobby Randall on guitar, fiddle, mandolin and harmonica and Gregg “Hobie” Hubbard on keyboards.

The former “Star Search” winners played new songs, “Puttin’ the Dark Back into the Night,” “I Did It for Love,” and a real audience favorite, “The Race Is On,” as well as old standbys like “Shakin,’ ” “Step That Step” and “Betty’s Bein’ Bad.”

A special treat was their rendering of the Hamilton, Joe, Frank and Reynold classic, “Dance with Me,” which the group performed in a semicircle.

Sawyer Brown did with ease what an opening act is supposed to do — warm up the audience and get them ready to savor what comes next.