Country singer Kylie Rae Harris, who started piecing together, in lyrics and stage as a teenager, was one of two people killed in a three-car accident in New Mexico.
Harris, the reporter confirmed his death on Thursday, saying: The family and friends of the 30-year-old native of Texas are heartbroken.
“Everyone knew that Kylie knew how much she loved her family and, beyond that, how much she loved music,” journalist Sarah Frost said in a statement. “The best tribute to his unparalleled enthusiasm for both is to broadcast as much love as you can today, and listen to music that fully inspires you. “
Harris was on his way to Taos when the accident happened Wednesday night along National Highway 522 in the northern part of the state. She was scheduled to perform on Thursday to contribute to the annual launch of the Big Barn Dance Music Festival, a place familiar to her.
She was known to jump on stage and sing at past festivals, but the organizers claimed that marked the first year she was officially on the lineup.
A single mother, Harris released her eponymous album earlier this year, and had spent the summer traveling across Texas.
In her latest social media post, she said she was almost out of fuel and 36 km (58 km) from the nearest gas station. “Dear little Jesus please do not let me get stuck in the NM,” she tweeted.
Devastator is how Sarah Hearne describes Harris dead. Hearne, the musician’s daughter Michael Hearne and one of those behind the annual Taos festival, says stage performers this weekend will be dedicating their Harris performances.
“We’ll let the music play,” she says. “They will play at their heart. That’s what she wanted. “
Harris, death comes as she has been enjoying the success of, she released an EP in March. She had to return to Texas in two days for another show and was booked for more events later this year.
“His career was ready to take off. She was about to skyrocket, “Hearne said.
Harris in previous interviews with the family recalled the road of travel when she would sit in the back of her parents in the suburbs and sing with Radney Foster and Jerry Jeff Walker. Other influences included Walt Wilkins and Patty Griffin.
The Taos County Sheriff’s Office said alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the accident, but they did not release details.
One of the other pilots – a 16-year-old girl – was also killed. The third driver escaped unscathed. Authorities did not release their names.