S2 E5: The story behind Bobbie Gentry's Ode to Billy Joe

#composerintheattic #behindthesong #musicstories Bobbie Gentry grew up in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. Her grandma traded one of the family's milk cows for a neighbor's piano, and at age seven, Gentry wrote her first song, "My Dog Sergeant Is a Good Dog". Bobbie went on to be one of the first female artists in the US to compose and produce her own material. Ode to Billie Joe made her a star almost overnight, but years later she quietly stepped away from public life. No farewell tour. No explanation. Gentry simply disappeared from view. I hope she knows that her songs were loved by millions especially the enigmatic Ode to Billie Joe. 0:00 Introduction 0:53 About the song 2:15 Music video 7:20 Final thoughts