Lorene Mann, a celebrated songwriter who wrote hits for some of the biggest stars of the 1960s, has died.

The Huntland, Tenn. native penned songs for Kitty Wells, Jerry Wallace and Norma Jean in addition to recording her own music and co-founding the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

The banner at the NSAI website reads "It All Begins With a Song" -- a slogan Mann came up with in the early '70s. Her time in Nashville began before her 20th birthday, and by 1960 she'd penned 'Left to Right' for Wells and 'Something Precious' for Skeeter Davis. She became a popular duet partner of Justin Tubb's by 1964, and together the two scored hits on RCA with songs like 'Hurry Mr. Peters' and 'We've Gone Too Far Again.'

Music Row reports that Mann's 1970 single 'The Apron Tree' was lifted for the plot of the song 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree.' By then her solo success was passing, but she was still regarded as a top songwriter. Some of her other solo hits include 'Have You Ever Wanted To' and 'Hide My Sin,' a song about abortion.

Throughout the '60s Mann would find success with Archie Campbell and in the movies, playing herself in the 1966 film 'Music City U.S.A.' and the 1975 Burt Reynolds movie 'W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings.' She is survived by her husband, daughter, two grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

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