Bobbie Gentry - The Girl From Chickasaw County

Bobbie is notable as one of the first female country artists to compose and produce her own material. During her five-year tenure at Capitol, she penned at least two songs that have become certified classics, ‘Ode to Billie Joe’ and ‘Fancy’, among dozens of original compositions.

Bobbie released eight Capitol albums in total, heralded by the smash hit debut ‘Ode to Billie Joe’ (Which displaced Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely-Hearts Club Band from the top of the charts in the US). Delta Sweete, her third, is another highlight. MOJO magazine listed it in their top 500 greatest albums of all time and memorably described her as the ‘JD Salinger of rock n roll.’

Bobbie also teamed up with Glen Campbell later that year (1968) for album of duets that earned her another gold record and spawned three hit singles, including a cover of the Everly Brothers’ hit ‘All I Have to Do Is Dream’, which rose to No. 3 on the U.K. and No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. The pair also toured briefly together and performed on a number of American and British television programs and specials.

Bobbie enjoyed four UK hits, with ‘I’ll Never Fall in Love Again’ topping the charts in 1969. In the USA, she notched 11 hits and was nominated for a Grammy for album Fancy, which was largely produced by Rick Hall in Muscle Shoals

Bobbie had her own BBC show for 3 seasons, hosting the programmes, performing her own material and introducing guests such as Elton John, James Taylor and, Donovan. She also headlined her nightclub in Vegas.

She quit the scene over 40 years ago (1978), and unlike everyone who returns, she has stayed out of sight. She remains one of the few genuine mysteries of popular music. Because she was so popular (No.1 singles/Albums, BBC TV series, Vegas residency) her abilities as a writer, producer and arranger were too often overlooked, she paved the way for Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon. Bobbie’s songs continue to influence a new generation of artists like Cheryl Crow, Beth Orton, Lucinda Williams and Roseanne Cash all of whom have cited her as an influence and covered her songs.