Celebrating the writers, storytellers, poets, and books that enrich the Upper East Side of Texas.

Literary

Book Review

Texas Songbird

The Life and Songs of Cindy Walker

By Barbara Finlay

A Texas State Historical Association recently released a new book aiming to restore the legacy of the prolific Texas songwriter who penned more than a thousand songs, dominated radio airwaves, and achieved many musical honors. Cindy Walker was born near and lived most of her life in Mexia, Texas, in Limestone County. She is often called the greatest living songwriter of country music. She was the driving creative force behind legendary Western swing hits popularized by icons like Bob Wills, Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold, and Roy Orbison. More than 500 of her songs were recorded by a long list of artists from different musical genres, and many became hits. Her most famous masterpiece, “You Don’t Know Me,” has been recorded by more than 200 singers, including timeless renditions by Eddy Arnold, Ray Charles, Mickey Gilley, and K. D. Lang.

Walker was inducted into the “Million-Air Club” of Broadcast Music International (BMI), which means her songs have been played on the radio more than a million times. They have also frequently appeared in movies and television shows. 

The book is available for purchase on LegacyofTexas.com.

Hear “You Don’t Know Me,” sung by Ray Charles with Diana Krall.

youtube.com/watch?v=bkgWpVlyOWA