I must say I thought of Gary Gentry (no relation I presume) - former pitcher for the New York Mets circa 1969 and pitched 7 scoreless innings in the 1969 World Series game 3 before Nolan Ryan closed out the shutout.
Of the two, I reckon Nolan was likely the better singer. Positively the better pitcher.
I want to say I’m thinking of Bobby Gentry, but I’m not, so I can’t.
Well, now I am. What is “chopping cotton” anyway? Harvesting cotton plants?
Ok, Mr. Google says it’s removing the weeds from around young cotton plants. Weird name for such an activity. Why isn’t it “weeding cotton”?
The third of June is probably a bit early to be harvesting cotton in the Delta area of Mississippi. I think more likely it means thinning out the struggling plants so the stronger ones can thrive (cotton plants require a lot of square footage.) A poor farmer would have to thin the crop by hand, probably chopping it with a machete. Hours of back breaking labor.
I thought Bobby Gentry was still in prison for throwing that poor baby off the Tallahatchie Bridge, with Billie Joe, when it was still alive.
There is an entire chapter of this excellent podcast dedicated to Bobbie Gentry. Her story is utterly fascinating. Don’t be surprised if you end up getting hooked on the podcast and listening to every chapter!
For what it’s worth, in 2019 the group Mercury Rev released their own track by track version with guest female vocalists, of her 1968 LP The Delta Sweete.
The guest singers included the likes of Lucinda Williams (who did Ode to Billy Joe), Beth Orton & Norah Jones.