The Ottawa Journal from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • Page 82

I I Your ffl Coyer May 30 June 6 They call her the Mississippi magnolia blossom, the girl who graduated from small town obscurity to stardom on the strength of one record. Bobbie Gentry's claim to fame is "Ode To Billie Joe," a song that took the. record industry completely -by surprise when it soared to the top of the hit parade in a matter of three weeks. Originally Bobbie had made a demonstration disc of the song for' Capitol Records; on which she sang played guitar. The brass liked it but decided it needed additional accompaniment They added a stri ng to the' song, released it, and then sat back and watched with amazement at its immediate acceptance by record buyers.

Since "Ode To Billie Joe" Bobbie has a -long way from her farm -home in the country. She has chalked, up several hits-most stemming from original compositions. -1 Recently she scored in the U.S. with "Fancy" while, at almost the same time, another of her recordings, "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" was topping British charts- In addition to her heavy schedule of live appearances and recording dates, Bobbie has also concentrated on television. For two vears she hosted her own serLesin England which was consistently among the top-rated in the UK.

Last year Toronto television station CFTO persuaded her to come to Canada to make four specials for syndication throughout North Her first met with excellent response, and her second airs on the CTV net- wnrlr ThurcWav In no A from ftW-Q3ri p.m. rT "Special Gentry II" features Canada's Sugar Shoppe plus Bobby- Goldsboro, Joe South, Rick Nelson and Fanny Flagg. Up front! will be the hit miss a combination of talent and charm, has proved she can maintain star status..