*** PREMIUM SEATING SOLD OUT ***
*** GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS (LIMITED SEATING) REMAIN ***
The enigmatic Bobbie Gentry was fearless and mysterious in equal parts. An icon of music, business and fashion, she was the first successful female artist to write and produce her own records - blazing a trail through the late 1960s and 70s that would go on to inspire future superstars from Sheryl Crow and Lucinda Williams to Margo Price and Taylor Swift.
A brilliant story-teller with a unique understanding of Southern Gothic, Gentry knocked The Beatles off the Billboard #1 spot with her sprawling debut single Ode to Billie Joe - a song that has haunted and fascinated critics, scholars, fellow artists and fans for well over half a century.
Gentry’s star shone brightly for seventeen years as she constantly reinvented her sound and her persona before she suddenly, and without explanation, disappeared from public life.
Now Melbourne’s own smoky-voiced songstress HELEN RYDER brings the extraordinary story and songs of Bobbie Gentry to life in this unique event, with a script by award-winning stage and screen writer Reg Cribb (Bran Nue Dae, The Story Of Jimmie Little, Last Cab to Darwin) and a tight band led by Lachlan Bryan (Henry Wagons, The Wildes, The Pleasures) with Mitch Power (Jen Mize, Dan Brodie) and Damian Cafarella (The Wildes, The Pleasures, The White Russians).
Lucinda Williams - “It had that mystery, that darkness. It was a different voice, a blend of blues, country, soul and folk that was totally unique. It was swampy, smoky, whisky stained and low”.
Margo Price - “Bobbie Gentry is one of the greatest writers and performers of our time. Her influence on my music has been massive and her influence on the music world in general is earth shattering. Bobbie is iconic, original, eloquent and timeless. She has remained a strong voice and an eternal spirit of the Delta, wrapped in mystery, yet forever here”.
Doors open at 7pm and tickets can be purchased below:
See you there :)