Bobbie Gentry is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 1967 with her breakout hit “Ode to Billie Joe,” a haunting Southern narrative that helped define her distinctive blend of country, pop, and soul. One of the first women in country music to write and produce her own material, Gentry brought cinematic storytelling and sophisticated arrangements to her work. Her albums, including *Ode to Billie Joe* and *Fancy*, showcased her evocative lyricism and deep Mississippi roots, securing her place as a trailblazer in American music history.