
A founding member of the American country music group "Dixie Chicks" has died in a car accident. Laura Lynch, 65, died after being involved in a two-vehicle crash near the city of El Paso on Friday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Reacting to the news, the current band members said in an Instagram post that they were shocked and saddened.
"We have a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Laura was a bright light...her infectious energy and humor provided a spark to the early days of our group. Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas, and was instrumental in the band's early success. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond moving from street corners to stages across Texas and the Midwest," the band said, adding that their thoughts are with Laura's family and loved ones.
The group was originally formed as the Dixie Chicks in Dallas, Texas, in 1989. Co-founding members were Lynch, a bassist and later vocalist, Robin Lynn Macy (vocalist and guitarist) and multi-instrumental sisters Martie and Emily Ervini.
The band performed country and bluegrass music at various festivals and venues. Before Lynch decided to leave in 1995, the Dixie Chicks released three albums: Thank Heavens for Dale Evans, Little Ol' Coëgirl and Shouldn't a Told You That.
But the band's commercial success would come in 1998 with their album Wide Open Spaces.
The group was renamed The Chicks three years ago. The decision to drop "Dixie" followed criticism that the word had connotations of American slavery.