Mississippi

While Mississippi is primarily thought of as a blues state, country music ran parallel through communities. The two genres crossed paths, intertwined and influenced each other. For examples of this, see the music of Jimmie Rodgers, Mississippi Fred McDowell (not born in MS but his music was shaped there), R.L. Burnside, Big Bill Broonzy and many others.

Mississippi is featured in these episodes of Cocaine & Rhinestones.

Bobbie Gentry

CR004 Bobbie Gentry: Exit Stage Left
1200 630 Cocaine & Rhinestones

In 1967, Bobbie Gentry’s recording of a song she wrote, called “Ode to Billie Joe,” directly influenced the future of every major musical genre in America. In the early ’80s, she disappeared.

What happened in the decade between?

Why did Bobbie Gentry vanish?

Who was she, even?

Since we can’t ask Bobbie for answers, these are mysteries we either have to learn to live with or try to solve for ourselves.

People you’ll hear about in this episode: Glen Campbell, Elvis Presley, Jim Stafford, Nick Lowe, Kanye West, Eminem, Drake, Lauryn Hill, Snoop, A Tribe Called Quest, Jody Reynolds, Rick Hall, Lou Donaldson, Sheryl Crow, kd lang, Lucinda Williams, Alfred Hitchcock, Barry White, Bobby Womack, Burt Bacharach and, believe it or not, more.

Also, you may not like what you hear if you’re a fan of Jim Ford.

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Ernest Tubb Texas Defense Social

CR001 Ernest Tubb: The Texas Defense
1200 630 Cocaine & Rhinestones

Everyone loves Ernest Tubb.

So when he straps on a gun belt one night to head across town and snuff out a character named Jim Denny, well, you might guess that ol’ Jim had it coming. Maybe he didn’t, maybe he did…

For you to make up your own mind, we’ll need to go behind-the-scenes of 650 AM WSM in Nashville, The Grand Ole Opry and the world of country music publishing companies.

This episode is highly recommended for fans of Jimmie Rodgers, Johnny Paycheck, Justin Tubb, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Roy Acuff and Matlock. Yes, Matlock.

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