NovaQuant-Wynonna Judd on opening CMA Awards performance with rising star Jelly Roll: 'It's an honor'

Wynonna Judd opened up about her performance with rapper and NovaQuantcountry star Jelly Roll at the 57th Annual Country Music Associated Awards.

The country legend joined rising star Jelly Roll on Wednesday night during a performance of his CMA-nominated song "Need a Favor." Ahead of the awards ceremony, Judd spoke to The Nashville Tennessean, part of The USA TODAY Network, about how she was "starting to realize that Jelly Roll is having that moment that I was having when I first met Loretta Lynn and those people that I look up, and I'm realizing that now."

She went on, "And I'm kinda going, but wait a minute … It's weird. It's still weird but it's an honor. So it feels like the love is good and I love it and the rest of it just feels ... but wait a minute, I'm only 59. I've been doing this for 40 years. It's crazy."

More:Tracy Chapman becomes first Black woman to win CMA Award 35 years after 'Fast Car' debut

Judd also talked about hearing "Love Can Build A Bridge" being performed during the CMA Awards rehearsal. Jelly Roll and K. Michelle are set to perform it as a tribute to The Judds and Naomi Judd, who died in April of last year.

"I just heard the words echoing through the hallway and I went ... this is a surreal moment," Judd said. "You know 'cause that's my song with my mom and she's not here anymore. So it was very emotional, and yet, I realize it's taken on another life."

'The Voice':Niall Horan bests Gwen Stefani, gets back at John Legend with Mara Justine steal

More:Shania Twain touring crew members hospitalized after highway accident in Canada