Timeless and Soulful Music of Bobbie Gentry!
Bobbie Gentry is one of the first female artists to start writing her own song lyrics. Her songs are still fresh, appealing and relevant. "Ode to Billie Joe" was her first smash hit, that song brought Bobbie Gentry to the spotlight and musical stardom. In the eyes of her fans the image remained of the enigmatic beauty with an upbeat attitude, this might be reason that her music remained very glamorous and distinctive.
Early Life for Bobbie Gentry
Bobbie Gentry was born on 27th July 1944, in Chickasaw County MS. Her family was very traditional with Portuguese decent. She was raised mostly by loving grand parents after her parents separated. Initially, it was her grandmother who encouraged the young Bobbie Gentry for music. The grandmother bartered her cow for piano. The early life in farm and experiences brought her near to the rustic folk roots of country music. The popular hit song "My Dog Sergeant is a Good Dog," is said to be the first song that she wrote in this period.
Bobbie Gentry Starting out in Music
Bobbie Gentry was thirteen when her mother took her to the lively musical town of Arcadia, California. Music enabled her to make new friends in strange city. Encouraged by the appreciation of her friends and teachers she started to write and experiment it with her music. Luckily there were many country music clubs in area and Bobbie Gentry was soon getting offers to perform. The Gentry surname was adopted by her in 1952, after then famous star Ruby Gentry.
Struggling and Learning
The music didn't disturb her schooling. Bobbie Gentry continued her education and completed the graduation from high school. Now she was seriously thinking about music. She moved to Las Vegas to pursue a career in music. Bobbie Gentry found work in the Follies Bergerac Club. For a while she did the stage acts and performing, but soon she missed the school and friends back home. She moved back to California after a few months made her reorganize about future. Bobbie Gentry enrolled for studying Philosophy in U.C.L.A. But her passion for music was too strong, so she moved again to study music at the famous Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. Ode to Love and Stranger in the Mirror
These are the first two songs that were recorded by her for release as debut. Jody Reynolds who was quite famous at that time did these duets with Gentry. The songs did not caught the fancy of public may be because they were not released properly. This resulted in Gentry to keep on performing other popular music in the clubs.
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Ode to Billie Joe
Bobbie Gentry
In 1976, "Ode to Billie Joe" was the most memorable and successful smash hit song of Bobbie Gentry. It was released by Capital Records. It was just a coincident that her demo was heard by the Kelly Gordon a producer at the Capital Records. She was approached, and the result was her first hit. Single was named "Mississippi Delta" as luck would have it, "Ode to Billie Joe" was on the side b, but the haunting story telling and enigmatic voice just struck the chord. Fortunately, this became so popular song and was played every where. In August 1976, it went on to be on number one on pop charts with remarkable sale of more than three millions.
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Multiple Grammy Awards
Bobbie Gentry won multiple Grammy Awards for her Award winning single "I Saw an Angle Die". These multiple Grammy Awards included "Best New Artist" and "Best Female Vocal". Music fans and critics loved the enigmatic music but the charts did not work for this album. However, Academy of Country Music encouraged Bobbie Gentry and awarded her "Best new Female Vocal".
Bobbie Gentry - Mississippi Delta
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String of Hits
"The Delta Sweetie" was her second album released in 1968 and it became another chartbuster. No one knew this kind of music as it was mixture of unexplored sights, values and voices of south. It was more soulful, more serious and somewhat different. It was a time when typical country music was played. Success of this album gave Bobbie Gentry a unique position and status. But her dedication and passion for music kept her striving for excellence and delivering hit after hit. She was writing her own music lyrics and performing mostly in her own distinct style. During this period she collaborated with Glen Campbell. The next two Hits were, "All I Really Want to Do", and "Let it Be Me".
Bobbie Gentry songs to Own
| Track | Artist | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ode to Billie Joe | Bobbie Gentry | Ode to Billie Joe | |
| Fancy | Bobbie Gentry | The Best of Bobbie Gentry - The Capitol Years | |
| Mississippi Delta | Bobbie Gentry | Ode to Billie Joe | |
| Chickasaw County Child | Bobbie Gentry | Ode to Billie Joe | |
| Papa, Won't You Let Me Go to Town With You | Bobbie Gentry | Ode to Billie Joe | |
| I Saw an Angel Die | Bobbie Gentry | Ode to Billie Joe | |
| Niki Hoeky | Bobbie Gentry | Ode to Billie Joe | |
| Bugs | Bobbie Gentry | Ode to Billie Joe | |
| Little Green Apples | Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell | Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell | |
| Slow Cookin' | Bobbie Gentry | Bobbie Gentry: Greatest Hits | |
| He Made a Woman Out of Me | Bobbie Gentry | The Best of Bobbie Gentry - The Capitol Years | |
| Find 'Em, Fool 'Em and Forget 'Em | Bobbie Gentry | Fancy | |
| All I Have to Do Is Dream | Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell | The Best of Bobbie Gentry - The Capitol Years |
Later Music
Bobbie Gentry
The next few hits came soon as a result of creative music including "Touch them With Love", and "I will Never Fall in Love Again". She started to explore R&B roots. These singles gave her immense popularity in Europe in UK she was number one singer in 1970. She even had her own show on BBC television during this time.
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Performing at Las Vegas
During 1970 Bobbie Gentry remained number one performer in the music circuit. She was performing at Las Vegas and Nashville. She was among first few singers who began working on elaborate acts of costumes and choreography. She wrote and produced some of legendary performances that happened in these cities. Fancy and Patchwork
Bobbie Gentry
Fancy is her last album with Capital Records. Bobbie Gentry started to work more in other areas. She had her own show with CBS. The adoption of "Ode to Billie Joe" was also a result of her efforts. She married twice but this enigmatic soul did not found her true companion for life. She worked for music and performed for fans during her later years. In 1980 she took retirement from music and made Los Angeles her home.
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Bobbie Gentry Crossing Tallahatchie Bridge
The Famous Tallahatchie Bridge that was the focus of Bobbie Gentry's 1967 hit song "Ode to Billie Joe", collapsed in June 1972. The river runs from Tippah County, MS to Leflore County, MS, where it joins the Yalobusha River.
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rauspitz Jan 16, 2012 @ 4:56 pm | delete
- I remember when Ode to Bille Joe came out. Very revolutionary for 1967.
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John_Michael Dec 24, 2011 @ 8:49 pm | delete
- thanks for the wonderful info, sad that the bridge collapsed...
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christopherwell
Oct 7, 2011 @ 7:06 am | delete
- Wow - I had no idea Bobbie Gentry had so much more to her music than "Ode to Billie Joe." Thanks for the info!
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COUNTRYLUTHIER
Aug 24, 2011 @ 9:48 pm | delete
- Great profile. This Mississippian gives it a squidddly thumbs up! Keep up the good work.
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squidoopets
Aug 5, 2011 @ 4:34 pm | delete
- I just got 100 points for squidliking this lens, my 600th squidlike -:)
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Bobbie Gentry sings Peaceful
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