History of Nanci Griffith in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 23, 2024

Nanci Griffith was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for her folk and country music. She made multiple appearances on the PBS music program Austin City Limits, gaining recognition for her performances. In 1994, she won a Grammy Award for her album "Other Voices, Other Rooms."

July 6, 1953: Birth of Nanci Griffith

Nanci Caroline Griffith was born on July 6, 1953.

1976: Marriage to Eric Taylor

Nanci Griffith married singer-songwriter Eric Taylor in 1976.

1978: Debut Album Release

Nanci Griffith released her debut album, "There’s a Light Beyond These Woods," in 1978, featuring a cover designed by her father.

1982: Divorce from Eric Taylor

Nanci Griffith and Eric Taylor divorced in 1982.

1985: First Appearance on Austin City Limits

In 1985, Nanci Griffith made her first appearance on the PBS music program Austin City Limits.

1986: Kathy Mattea's Cover of "Love at the Five and Dime"

Kathy Mattea had a top-five country music hit in 1986 with a cover of Griffith's song "Love at the Five and Dime."

1986: Formation of the Blue Moon Orchestra

Nanci Griffith formed her touring and recording band, the Blue Moon Orchestra, during the Christmas holidays of 1986.

1986: Charting of "Once in a Very Blue Moon" and TV Appearance

The title track from Nanci Griffith's album "Once in a Very Blue Moon" reached the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1986, the same year she showcased her album 'Lone Star State Of Mind' on the TV show 'New Country'.

1993: Release of "Other Voices, Other Rooms"

Nanci Griffith released the album "Other Voices, Other Rooms" in 1993, featuring covers of songs by artists who influenced her.

1994: Collaboration with Jimmy Webb for "Red Hot + Country"

In 1994, Nanci Griffith collaborated with Jimmy Webb on the song "If These Old Walls Could Speak" for the AIDS benefit album "Red Hot + Country."

1994: Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album

Nanci Griffith won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 1994 for her 1993 recording, "Other Voices, Other Rooms."

1994: Grammy Award Win for "Other Voices, Other Rooms"

Nanci Griffith won a Grammy Award for the album "Other Voices, Other Rooms" in 1994.

1995: Induction into Austin Music Hall of Fame and Kate Wolf Memorial Award

In 1995, Nanci Griffith was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame and received the Kate Wolf Memorial Award from the World Folk Music Association.

1996: Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Nanci Griffith was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996.

1998: Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis

Nanci Griffith was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1998.

2004: Start of Writer's Block

Nanci Griffith began experiencing severe writer's block after 2004.

2008: Americana Music Association's Lifetime Americana Trailblazer Award

The Americana Music Association honored Nanci Griffith with its Lifetime Americana Trailblazer Award in 2008.

2009: Release of "The Loving Kind" Album

Nanci Griffith released her album "The Loving Kind" in 2009, marking the end of her writer's block.

2010: Lifetime Achievement Award at BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

Nanci Griffith received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2010.

2011: Relocation of Recording Studio

After limited touring in 2011, Griffith's bandmates, the Kennedys, moved their recording studio to her home in Nashville.

April 2012: Release of "Intersection" Album

Nanci Griffith released her album "Intersection" in April 2012, featuring new original songs and collaborations with her backing group.

August 13, 2021: Death of Nanci Griffith

Nanci Griffith passed away on August 13, 2021.

February 2022: Induction into Texas Heritage Songwriters Association's Hall of Fame

Nanci Griffith was posthumously inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association's Hall of Fame in February 2022.

September 22, 2023: Release of Tribute Album, "More than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith"

A tribute album, "More than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith," was released on September 22, 2023, featuring covers of her songs by various artists.

September 6, 2024: Release of "Love at the Five and Dime: The Songwriting Legacy of Nanci Griffith"

The book "Love at the Five and Dime: The Songwriting Legacy of Nanci Griffith," exploring her career and music, is scheduled for release on September 6, 2024.