MARCH 23, 2006 Music lovers around the world are mourning the loss of quite possibly THE most influential songwriter in history. Texas' own Cindy Walker died Thursday following an extended illness.

Although most don't recognize her name, Cindy wrote for the Who's Who of country music, writing hundreds of hits for such Texas music legends as Tex Ritter, Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, and Roy Orbison. Her songs include Ritter's "Jingle, Jangle, Jingle," Wills' "Bubbles in My Beer," "Cherokee Maiden" and "You're From Texas," and Orbison's "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)". Acknowledging her contributions to classic country music and as a tribute to her influence, Willie Nelson had recently released his CD, "You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker".

Cindy's songs crossed all genres of music. Many of the original recordings were top hits, then were rerecorded years later by the likes of Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, Mickey Gilley, and Ricky Skaggs, sometimes becoming even bigger hits! When asked in an interview how she wrote "Bubbles In My Beer" without ever having been in a bar or a honky-tonk, the talented Miss Walker replied, "Imagination!"

Born in Mart, Texas, Miss Walker made her home in the nearby town of Mexia in central Texas, where she lived in her mother's home until her death on Thursday.