Whatever Happened To Bobbie Gentry
by
Read by Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash presents a profile of one of the most gifted and enigmatic American singer-songwriters, Bobbie Gentry. Best remembered for her hit record, "Ode To Billie Joe," Gentry's career was much more than a single song. At her peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, she was a million-selling artist who topped charts in both the US and the UK, headlined in Las Vegas, and even had her own television show for BBC 2.
This documentary examines her rise to fame, her unique style that blended country and folk with the tradition of the American short story, and her eventual withdrawal from the music industry. Featuring recollections from those who worked alongside her, including arranger Jimmie Haskell and producer Rick Hall, the program highlights Gentry's lasting influence on contemporary artists like Shelby Lynne and Lucinda Williams.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.