Gentry, Bobbie (1944–)

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Gentry, Bobbie (1944–)

American country-and-western singer. Name variations: Roberta Lee; Roberta Streeter. Born Roberta Lee Streeter on July 27, 1944, in Chickasaw Co., Mississippi; majored in philosophy at University of California at Los Angeles; m. Jim Stafford, 1978 (div.).

Country singer, wrote 1st song at age 7; worked as secretary and Las Vegas showgirl; reached #1 with debut hit "Ode to Billy Joe" (1967), which won 3 Grammys and became her signature tune; released albums Ode to Billy Joe (1967), The Delta Sweetie (1969), Fancy (1970), and Greatest Hits (1990); sang hit duet with Glen Campbell on Everly Brothers' "All I Have to Do is Dream" (1970); hosted English tv series "Bobbie Gentry" (1968) and US series "The Bobbie Gentry Show" (1974); appeared frequently on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1970s); became staple on Las Vegas casino circuit (1970s); sang song "Fancy" on tv series "Six Feet Under" (1991).

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