Grammy Award-winning country singer Nanci Griffith has died at the age of 68.
Her fellow country singer Suzy Bogguss confirmed the sad news, saying she left a "masterful legacy" behind.
Nanci died today in her Nashville hometown, and a cause of death has not yet been released.
Her former record label Rounder Records said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to hear that Nanci Griffith has passed. Our condolences to her family, friends and many fans. May she Rest in Peace".
Singer and songwriter Suzy Bogguss, who used to work with Nanci, also paid an emotional tribute.
She wrote: "A beautiful soul that I love has left this earth.
"I feel blessed to have many memories of our times together along with most everything she ever recorded.
"I’m going to spend the day reveling in the articulate masterful legacy she’s left us."
Nanci won much acclaim back in 1993 for her collection of covers that she named Other Voices, Other Rooms.
The album features guest appearances from her friends and peers, including Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris and John Prine.
In 1994, her album won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album, beating a record released by Dylan.
Nanci never had a hit single of her own, but many of her compositions, which she recorded first herself, became hits for other artists, such as Kathy Mattea's Love at the Five and Dime and Suzy Bogguss' Outbound Plane.
Nanci was born in Texas in 1953 and found a love of music early in her life, beginning her performing career as a teenager, playing in clubs and at festivals in Texas.
After university, Nanci started working as a teacher, but left her job to pursue her love of music full time in 1977.
It was around that time that she married fellow performer Eric Taylor, before they later divorced in 1982.
Nanci was also the first artist to record the song From A Distance, which Bette Midler cut into a massive pop hit in 1990.
Singer Darius Rucker also paid tribute to Nanci following the sad news of her death.
He wrote on Twitter: "Today i am just sad man. I lost one of my idols. One of the reasons I am in Nashville.She blew my mind the first time I heard Marie and Omie. And singing with her was my favorite things to do. Grammy-winning folk singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith dies."
