“Even though my songs may sound very personal, to me most of them are fiction. It is a great way for me to be able to live a fantasy life as a writer because I get to be someone else, someplace else for three and a half minutes, just like the listener.” ~ Nanci Griffith
Nanci Caroline Griffith (b. 7/6/53 – d. 8/13/21) was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She appeared many times on the PBS music program Austin City Limits starting in 1985 (season 10). In 1994 she won a Grammy Award for the album Other Voices, Other Rooms. Griffith toured with various other artists, including Buddy Holly’s band, the Crickets; John Prine; Iris DeMent; Suzy Bogguss; Judy Collins and The Everly Brothers. Griffith recorded duets with many artists, among them Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, John Prine, Don McLean, Jimmy Buffett, Dolores Keane, Willie Nelson, Adam Duritz (singer of Counting Crows), the Chieftains, John Stewart; and Darius Rucker (lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish). Griffith had a backing band which she referred to as the Blue Moon Orchestra.
Early Life:
Nanci Griffith, the youngest of three siblings, was born in Seguin, Texas, but raised in Austin, the place her family moved to shortly after her birth. Nanci’s mother Ruelene was a real estate agent and amateur actress, her father, Marlin Griffith, was a graphic artist and barbershop quartet singer.
Musical Beginnings:
Nanci Griffith began her career as a singer performing in a local coffeehouse, aged 12. Her father took her to see Townes Van Zandt as a teenager. At the age of 14, she did her first professional gig at the Red Lion Cabaret in downtown Austin. Nanci’s debut album, There’s a Light Beyond These Woods, was released in 1978, with a cover designed by her father.
Discography:
Studio albums: 18
Live albums: 2
Compilation albums: 8
Singles: 17
Videography:
4
Music videos:
6
Other things to share:
Griffith’s high school boyfriend, John, died in a motorcycle accident after taking her to the senior prom, and subsequently inspired many of her songs. She was married to singer-songwriter Eric Taylor from 1976 to 1982. In the early 1990s, she was engaged to singer-songwriter Tom Kimmel.
Griffith died in Nashville on August 13, 2021, at the age of 68. The cause of death was not reported. Please read/listen to more about Nanci at NPR, article published near the time of her death, here.
Official website: Wasn’t able to find what I see as an official website. The closest thing I found was a site that says it is administered by her fan club but only has her music for sale. Sorry, not good enough. Instead, here is a link to Austin City Limits that has some good pics and info on Nanci, including recording of her on ACL here.
Sources:
wikipedia
Tao Talk 
It’s a shame no one is taking care of her legacy. “Other Voices Other Rooms” is certainly one of my all-time favorites. She was also, I believe, the first to champion Julie’s Gold’s song “From a Distance”. (K)
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Yes, it is. I love her voice and how she introduces the 5 and dime song on the video. Thank you for the additional info on her, Kerfe. Glad her music is familiar to you ❤
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You’ve done so much wonderful research on these women! I keep learning new things.
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❤
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I remember seeing her on Austin City Limits. As noted OVOR was an amazing piece of work.
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Very cool, Randy. I remember way back when I had cable TV I used to watch ACL and loved hearing the music unplugged. Not sure if ACL is still going on and whether it is still unplugged. I hope so.
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Not sure if they do, I think the FM station might though
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I’ve heard of her a lot…and I know her from people talking around Nashville earlier…I’ve heard limited amount of songs. I completely forgot she passed away…I wasn’t expecting that while reading.
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Max, sorry to refresh the fact she’s passed on 😦 I like the tenderness in her voice. Glad you are so familiar with her.
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It was a shock for sure…yes she was well known here. I worked in Franklin where she performed some and Krauss.
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I don’t know Nancy Griffith. I love that first clip you included. While I’m not 100% sold on her vocals, she more than makes up for it with her likable personality. I didn’t realize it was Griffith who recorded “From a Distance” first. I only knew Bette Midler’s rendition, which I’ve always liked.
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I like the tremelo (sp?) in her voice and didn’t know that about “From a Distance” either.
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Hey, you’re talking to a non-native English speaker, so I had to look up the spelling. That said, I think it’s tremolo!😀
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Thanks for the correction, Christian. So you know what I’m talking about with her voice now 🙂
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One of my all time favourite singer-songwriters! I was sad to hear of her passing.
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Happy you know and love her. Yes she passed too soon 😦
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