Comments on: Ode to Bobbie Gentry…and that Tallahatchie Bridge

By: Dana Spiardi

Dana Spiardi — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 02:28:15 +0000

In reply to Pat Kelly. Thanks for reading my blog, Pat, and for contributing that interesting information!

By: Pat Kelly

Pat Kelly — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 22:54:55 +0000

Great song and artist. Some quick trivia: She was married to Bill Harrah (Harrah’s Casinos) and Jim Stafford (“I Don’t Like Flowers or Snakes”), but he divorced her (the fool). She was an investor in the expansion Phoenix Suns pro basketball team, along with Andy Williams and Ed Ames (the Daniel Boone TV show). She later sold her interest for a fortune.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:45:57 +0000

There is a lot of false information about Bobbie Gentry on the internet. She headlined major casinos in Vegas from the late 1960’s into the early 1980’s. She was voted top female act on the strip 6 years running and signed the first female 7 figure deal in 1970. She was way ahead of her time, forming her own production and publishing companies in the 1960’s. Gentry ltd co-produced her popular B.B.C variety series which ran from 1968-1971 and many of her prime time specials. Ironically her other classic story song, Fancy, has been bringing in huge royalties in the last two decades. Covered by a dozen artists including Reba McEntire who has placed the song on 4 albums including Greatest Hits volume 2 with 10 million units sold. Ode to Billie Joe has sold over 50 million records on over 100 covers. Master jazz pianist, Bill Evans, place the Gentry composition, Mornin’ Glory as the opening track on his historic ‘Live In Toyko album, turning it into a modern jazz masterpiece. The late jazz master played the song at every concert he performed after 1970.

By: Frank Czuri

Frank Czuri — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 19:56:08 +0000

GREAT stuff Dana! I always liked this tune and have specualted for years. Did Bobbie ever say a definitive answer?? I hope not!

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 03:03:22 +0000

Great article! I hadn’t heard that song in decades. It is very visual. I like that about a song. And a movie.