Bobbie Gentry, born Roberta Lee Streeter on July 27, 1942, in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, is a retired American singer-songwriter renowned for her unique contributions to the music industry. Raised in a rural setting without modern conveniences, Gentry's Southern upbringing profoundly influenced her musical style, which blends folk, country, blue-eyed soul, and pop genres.

Gentry gained international fame with her 1967 debut single "Ode to Billie Joe," a Southern Gothic narrative that captivated audiences with its haunting storytelling and mysterious themes. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and earned her Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1968. Throughout her career, Gentry charted 11 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and four on the UK top 40. Her album "Fancy" also received a Grammy nomination.

Despite her success, Gentry's interest in performing waned in the late 1970s, leading to her retirement from the music industry in 1982. She was one of the first female artists in the United States to compose and produce her own material, leaving a lasting legacy in the music world.