MOUNT VERNON, Missouri (AP):

Joyce 'Dottie' Rambo, an influential gospel singer and songwriter, died early Sunday when her tour bus ran off the highway and struck an embankment. She was 74.

Seven other people on the bus were injured in the wreck east of Mount Vernon on Interstate 44, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. They were hospitalised in Springfield with moderate to severe injuries, according to the patrol.

It was unclear whether the crash was related to the severe storms and tornadoes that hit the region last Saturday.

Rambo of Nashville, Tennessee, was on her way to a Mother's Day performance in Texas, according to her website.

Giant in the gospel music industry

"She was a giant in the gospel music industry," said Beckie Simmons, Rambo's agent. "Dolly Parton recorded some of her songs."

Parton sent condolences to "everyone involved in this terrible tragedy".

"I know Dottie is in heaven in the arms of God right now, but our earth angel will surely be missed," Parton said in a statement. "Dottie was a dear friend, a fellow singer, songwriter and entertainer, and as of late my duet singing partner."

Rambo was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last year and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Rambo has had more than 2,500 published songs, including gospel classics such as He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need and the 1982 Gospel Music Association Song of the Year, We Shall Behold Him.