Lynch, 65, who died following a car crash outside El Paso, played upright bass and sang on three albums in the early 1990s

The US country band the Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, have said they are “shocked and saddened” by the death of founding member Laura Lynch following a car crash.

“Laura was a bright light … her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band,” the band said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the early success of the band.