Deborah McCrary, a member of the sibling vocal group the McCrary Sisters, died Wednesday, Rolling Stone reports. The outlet says she was 67 and that a spokesperson for the Nashville-based group confirmed McCrary’s passing; without giving a cause of death.
According to the Tennessean, with her sisters, McCrary sang on stage or in the studio with dozens of stars in country, Americana, rock and blues. Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, The Black Keys, Donnie McClurkin, Sheryl Crow, Maren Morris and Gregg Allman were among those who sought out their rich, soulful harmonies, the publication says.
The McCrary Sisters, it adds, are the daughters of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary, a pastor and key member of Nashville gospel quartet The Fairfield Four. In addition to their high-profile collaborations, they’ve released five of their own albums since 2010.
Deborah McCrary’s siblings had already formed a well-received singing trio when they asked her to join the group in 2009. McCrary, who was working as a nurse, told The Tennessean in 2015 she was hesitant to join — and was a ball of nerves before her first show with them at the Station Inn.
“It felt like everybody was staring at me, and I swore I’d never get back up there again,” she said. “But it was so much fun to be with my sisters, and after that it didn’t take much (convincing) at all.”