Townes Van Zandt, renowned singer-songwriter, died on January 1, 1997, aged 52. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Townes was born on March 7, 1944. As a young man, a combination of his father's love for opera, stories from his grandmother, and folk music set the stage for Townes' musical career. His music addressed issues of isolation, innocence, and struggle with great empathy and emotion; his songs were served raw and without fear. Townes' songwriting prowess was recognized by such Flamenco guitar master, Andres Segovia, who called him a genius of modern music and compared him to Mozart. Townes refused to chase fame, and found solace in his music – recording and performing throughout the US, Europe, and Japan. His influence on the country music scene was far-reaching, and his songwriting catalog included "Pancho & Lefty," "If I Needed You," and more. Throughout his career, Townes earned numerous awards and nominations, and his influence on songwriters – from Bob Dylan to Norah Jones – is undeniable. Townes perseverance in music and intense commitment to his craft remain an inspiration to all. He was preceded in death by his father, wife and son, and is survived by his daughter.