Patty Griffin, born Patricia Jean Griffin, March 16, 1964, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and Grammy award nominee, whose songs have been performed by the elite of several musical genres. She is especially known for her down-home crafting of songs and her connection to musicians including Emmylou Harris, and the Dixie Chicks, who have played with her onstage as well as performing cover songs of Griffin's work, exposing many of her compositions to mainstream pop and country music audiences outside Griffin's folk music circle of fans. She is also a recipient of the Americana Music Association's highest honor as "Artist of the Year" in 2007, as well as taking home the award for best album for Children Running Through.