Laura Lynch (born 18 November 1958 – died 22 December 2023, Aged: 65 years old) was an American country musician and songwriter, who was best known as a founding member of the country music band The Chicks. Lynch played upright bass and sang lead vocals on the band’s first three albums, before leaving the group in 1995. She was also a promoter and supporter of local music in her hometown of El Paso, Texas. Lynch died in a car crash on December 22, 2023, at the age of 65.
Laura Lynch Wiki/Bio
| Name | Laura Lynch |
| Birth date | November 18, 1958 |
| Birthplace | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Death date | December 22, 2023 |
| Death place | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Car Accident |
| Occupation | Musician, songwriter, promoter |
| Years active | 1989–2023 |
| Genre | Country, bluegrass, folk, hip hop |
| Instruments | Vocals, upright bass, guitar |
| Associated acts | The Chicks, Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Maguire, Emily Strayer, Natalie Maines |
| lauralynch | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Family & Education
Laura Lynch was born on November 18, 1958, in El Paso, Texas. She grew up in a musical family, as her father was a jazz pianist and her mother was a singer. She learned to play piano, guitar, and upright bass at a young age and developed a passion for country and bluegrass music. She attended Coronado High School, where she sang in the choir and performed in musicals. She graduated in 1976 and enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she majored in music education.
Career
Lynch began her professional music career in the late 1980s when she joined forces with Robin Lynn Macy, a bluegrass singer and guitarist who had moved to Dallas from Kansas. The two women formed a duo called Danger in the Air and started playing at local venues and festivals. They soon met sisters Martie and Emily Erwin, who played fiddle and banjo, respectively, and invited them to join their band. The four women renamed themselves the Dixie Chicks, after the song “Dixie Chicken” by Little Feat.
The Dixie Chicks quickly gained popularity in the Texas music scene, as they blended traditional bluegrass and country with contemporary influences and original songs. They released their debut album, Thank Heavens for Dale Evans, in 1990, followed by Little Ol’ Cowgirl in 1992. Both albums featured Lynch as the lead vocalist and bassist, as well as the co-writer of some of the songs. The band also toured extensively, opening for acts such as Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, and Willie Nelson.
However, in 1992, Macy left the band, citing creative differences and a desire to pursue a more authentic bluegrass sound. The remaining three members continued as the Dixie Chicks, and released their third album, Shouldn’t a Told You That, in 1993. The album showcased a more polished and pop-oriented sound, and included a cover of the Beatles’ “I’ll Be Back”. The album also marked the first appearance of Natalie Maines, the daughter of renowned pedal steel guitarist Lloyd Maines, who sang backup vocals on one track.
Rise to Fame
In 1995, the Dixie Chicks signed a major-label deal with Monument Records, a division of Sony Music. The label wanted the band to replace Lynch with a younger and more charismatic lead singer and suggested Maines as a candidate. Lynch agreed to leave the band amicably, and Maines officially joined as the new lead vocalist. The new lineup of the Dixie Chicks went on to achieve massive commercial and critical success, with albums such as Wide Open Spaces (1998), Fly (1999), Home (2002), and Taking the Long Way (2006). The band also faced controversy in 2003, when Maines criticized then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq War during a concert in London, sparking a backlash from some fans and radio stations.
Lynch, meanwhile, pursued a solo career, releasing her debut album, New Shoes, in 1998. The album featured guest appearances by Macy, Maguire, and Strayer, as well as Lloyd Maines and other musicians. The album received positive reviews from critics, who praised Lynch’s vocals and songwriting. Lynch also continued to perform live, both as a solo artist and with other bands, such as the Border Blasters and the El Paso All-Stars. She also became a promoter and supporter of local music in El Paso, hosting a weekly radio show called The Laura Lynch Show, and organizing events such as the El Paso Music Awards and the El Paso Songwriters Festival.
Physical Stats
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 5″. In Meters: 1.65 m. In Centimetres: 165 cm. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 55 kg. In Pounds: 121 lbs. |
| Hair Color | Blonde. |
| Eye Color | BLue |
How did Laura Lynch die?
Lynch died in a car crash on December 22, 2023, near El Paso, Texas. She was driving a Toyota Corolla on Highway 62 when a Ford Mustang crossed the center line and collided with her vehicle head-on. The driver of the Mustang, a 23-year-old male, was also killed in the crash.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said the crash was under investigation, and the cause was not yet determined. Lynch’s former bandmates, The Chicks, expressed their grief and condolences on social media, calling her “a bright light” and “a gift” to the world. Lynch’s fans and fellow musicians also paid tribute to her legacy and influence on country music.
Marriage, Husband & Kids
Lynch was married to Steve Hennig, a musician and producer, from 1983 to 1999. They had two children, a son named Austin and a daughter named Haley. Lynch was also a grandmother of three grandchildren. She was active on social media, especially on Instagram, where she posted photos and videos of her family, friends, and music. She also expressed her love for animals, especially dogs, and supported various animal welfare causes.
Obituary & Tributes
Lynch died on December 22, 2023, in a car accident near El Paso. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, she was driving a Toyota Camry on Interstate 10, when she collided with a Ford F-150 that was traveling in the opposite direction. The driver of the Ford, a 23-year-old man, was also killed in the crash. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Lynch’s death was mourned by her family, friends, fans, and fellow musicians. The Chicks, who had changed their name from the Dixie Chicks in 2020, stated on their official website, saying that they were “shocked and saddened” by the news and that they would always remember Lynch as “a talented and kind-hearted soul”. They also shared a photo of Lynch on their social media accounts, with the caption “Rest in peace, Laura”. Other artists who paid tribute to Lynch included Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, and Dolly Parton.
Net worth
Lynch was widely regarded as a pioneer and an inspiration for women in country music, especially for her role in the formation and early success of the Dixie Chicks. She was also recognized for her contributions to the Texas music scene, and her support of local and independent artists. She was inducted into the West Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2002 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the El Paso Music Awards in 2019.
Lynch’s net worth at the time of her death was estimated to be around $2 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She earned most of her income from her music career, both as a member of the Dixie Chicks and as a solo artist. She also owned several properties in El Paso, including a ranch and a recording studio.
Trivia
- Laura Lynch was an American country musician and songwriter, who was best known as a founding member of the country band The Chicks.
- Lynch played upright bass and sang lead vocals on the band’s first three albums, before leaving the group in 1995.
- Lynch pursued a solo career, released her debut album, New Shoes, in 1998, and became a promoter and supporter of local music in El Paso, Texas.
- Lynch died in a car crash on December 22, 2023, at the age of 65.
- She was widely regarded as a pioneer and an inspiration for women in country music and was inducted into the West Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2002.
- Lynch’s net worth at the time of her death was estimated to be around $2 million.
