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Long before Willie and Waylon, Kris and Guy, another pioneering songwriter drew Nashville to the Lone Star State: Cindy Walker, born near Mexia in 1918, was writing hits for Bob Wills while Willie and the boys were still in grade school. One of the first women to become a professional country music songwriter, Walker wrote for stars like Gene Autry, Eddy Arnold, and Jim Reeves. Her best-known composition, “You Don’t Know Me,” became a hit for Ray Charles on his seminal 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. But because her work was behind the scenes, Walker is less celebrated than other Texan musical luminaries, aside from the occasional homage, like the tribute album Willie released shortly before Walker’s passing, in 2006. That’s changing…

The post A New Music Festival in Mexia Aims to Save a Country Songwriting Legend’s House From Destruction appeared first on Texas Monthly.

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