House Concurrent Resolution 80

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING CHICKASAW COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, NATIVE, THE LEGENDARY AND RENOWNED SINGER-SONGWRITER MRS. BOBBIE GENTRY FOR HER MUSICAL ARTISTRY AND EXTRAORDINARY TALENT.

WHEREAS, "Chickasaw County child, Is gonna be ok, Chickasaw County child, You gonna be somebody someday" sang the Chickasaw County, Mississippi, child who grew up to be somebody, the legendary and renowned singer-songwriter Mrs. Bobbie Gentry; and

WHEREAS, Bobbie Gentry, born Roberta Lee Streeter on July 27, 1942, on a little farm outside the Village of Woodland in Chickasaw County, is a retired, legendary musical artist who used her talents as a songwriter and singer during her time as one of the first female musicians who wrote, produced and even published her own music; and

WHEREAS, she is remembered for her Southern themed narrative songs including her classic recordings "Fancy," a hit for Bobbie in 1969 and later famously covered by Reba McEntire in 1990, and her 1967 debut single "Ode To Billie Joe" which became a U.S. number one hit and a worldwide sensation, and was later adapted into a movie in 1976; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Gentry released seven albums on Capitol Records including her defining works "Patchwork," "The Delta Sweete" and "Ode to Billie Joe," before her self-imposed retirement, and she also had a successful partnership with Glen Campbell with whom she recorded an album of duets; and

WHEREAS, her native Mississippi roots are found in many of her most popular songs: "Ode to Billie Joe," "Mississippi Delta," "Parchman Farm," "Chickasaw County Girl" and "Okolona River Bottom," among others; and

WHEREAS, years ahead of her time, Bobbie was also a keen businesswoman: within months of the success of her first single, she established two music publishing companies, organized beneath her parent company, Gentry Ltd., which among other activities produced her live shows; and later, when she was primarily performing, she negotiated her own multi-million dollar contracts; and she was an original co-owner of the Phoenix Suns Basketball Team, helping bring the first major professional sports franchise to the State of Arizona; and

WHEREAS, early in her career, despite performing regularly, initially Bobbie's sole ambition was to write songs to sell to other artists, telling The Washington Post that she only sang on the recording of "Ode to Billie Joe" she took to Capitol Records because it was cheaper than hiring a professional; and also delivered to Capitol Records was the track "Mississippi Delta," and it was this recording rather than "Ode to Billie Joe" that initially got her signed; and

WHEREAS, the first six years of her career Bobbie was primarily a recording artist, and for the next six she was an entertainer appearing on stages all over the world, but primarily in Las Vegas and Reno; and though she had started playing Las Vegas as early as 1968 when Howard Hughes put her on at Caesar's Palace, it was not until her recording career ended that her stage career really took off; and

WHEREAS, one of Bobbie's most talked about live segments in this period was her tribute to Elvis Presley, witnessed one night by the King himself; and by the mid-seventies, she was the undisputed Queen of Las Vegas breaking attendance records at The Landmark and apparently racking up more performances during her stage career than any other lady to play the strip; and

WHEREAS, her last production was at the Sahara in Las Vegas during September 1980; but there was no farewell show or announcement of her retirement; and in May 1981, Bobbie was one of many guest stars on the NBC special "An All-Star Salute to Mother's Day" during which she sang just one song: a rendition of the Broadway tune "Mama, A Rainbow," dedicated to her own mother who was in the audience; and

WHEREAS, what no one knew at the time was that this would be her last performance; and the following year she made her last public appearance at the Country Music Awards on April 29, 1982, at 40 years old; and since that time, she has not recorded, performed or been interviewed again; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to celebrate the accomplishments of musical artists from the State of Mississippi who have used their talents to enhance the musical landscape of our lives:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend legendary and renowned singer-songwriter Mrs. Bobbie Gentry for bringing the gift of music into the lives of millions, and we extend our sincere wishes for good health and happiness in her lighter years.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Bobbie Gentry and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.