MEXIA, Texas — Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Cindy Walker wrote all of her songs on the same piano, in the same home, in Mexia, Texas. Now, both the home and the piano are receiving a well-deserved makeover.
After her death in 2006, Walker's famous McPhail piano was given to her church, First Presbyterian Church of Mexia.
"Cindy was the heartbeat a lot of times to the church," said Sissy Ingram, a friend of Walker's. "She was so lively. She was just the life of the party. She loved her church and her church family. She loved her community."
Walker wrote songs like "You Don't Know Me", made famous by Eddy Arnold and Ray Charles, on that piano back when it was in her home writing studio.
Walker's piano, and her home, are now part of a restoration effort made by the Cindy Walker Foundation. Country singer Lee Roy Parnell says it's high time.
"She was our most accomplished, at least one of our most accomplished, composers," Parnell said. "Of course it should be saved."
A piano technician, Jesse Bullard, says he's honored to be working on Walker's piano. After taking a look on Friday, he said with some part replacement and reconditioning, the piano can return to its former glory.
"I think it can be played again because a lot of artists play instruments that have been rebuilt," Bullard said. "This can be reconditioned up to a total rebuild, but I think the rebuild on this one will be minimal."
It's a weight off the shoulders of those who have made it their mission to continue Walker's legacy.
Parnell and many others will perform at this year's Cindy Walker Days Festival at the Cowboy Western Club in Mexia. It's held on Walker's birthday, July 20.
Walker's piano, for the first time since her death, has been moved from her church home to the Cowboy Western Club.
The piano will be on display during the festival. Funds will be raised to get the piano repaired and Walker's home restored.
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