Nanci Griffith was a folk and country music singer and songwriter known for songs including “Love at the Five and Dime” and “From a Distance.”
- Died: August 13, 2021 (Who else died on August 13?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 68.
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Musical career
Griffith grew up surrounded by the Austin, Texas music scene and began performing before her teens. She began recording music in the 1970s and moved to Nashville in the 1980s, signing with MCA Records and forming the Blue Moon Orchestra. Her tenth album, “Other Voices, Other Rooms,” won a Grammy Award in 1994 for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Among Griffith’s best-known songs was “From a Distance,” written by Julie Gold and later made famous by Bette Midler. Griffith composed and recorded “Love at the Five and Dime,” which became a hit for Kathy Mattea, and “Outbound Plane,” made famous by Suzy Bogguss. In 2008, Griffith was honored with the Americana Music Association’s Americana Trailblazer Award.
Griffith on her motivation
“Longevity — I guess that’s the brass ring for me. I still want to hear my music coming back to me when I’m 65.” —from a 1993 interview for Rolling Stone
Tributes to Nanci Griffith
Full obituary: The New York Times
