Choctaw Ridge is a REAL place in Mississippi. So, by the way, is the Tallahatchie Bridge - it goes over the river of the same name in Money, Mississippi.
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| Literally Bobbie Gentry on the Tallahatchie Bridge in 1967 |
Bobbie Gentry was a great country songwriter who wrote this song. The cool Southern Gothic classic would provide the title for her debut album in 1967, and it would go on to become her biggest (although not nearly only) hit. It was a top 20 country hit in the United States, but more notably, it was a #1 pop hit, and the #3 biggest pop hit of 1967.
"Ode To Billie Joe" also won three Grammy Awards for Gentry - including Best New Artist in 1968. Although she'd be nominated again, she'd never win another.
The song was a massive success and defined the rest of Gentry's career. This performance from the BBC, interspersed with footage of her on... probably the Tallahatchie Bridge.... was lost for years, but it isn't anymore, and we bring it to you.
Here's another live performance from The Andy Williams Show in the early 1970s. Her cool, raspy voice matched well with the literal true crime drama she wrote.... and this performance is captivating.
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