Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet 2012 (PHOTOS)
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Shanachie Records
"I've done a lot of shows in my day, but this may be the craziest thing I've ever played," Gene tells The Boot. "It was like a real funeral, with the pall bearers in tuxes. They had everything but the casket! I couldn't believe it."
Some 500 people attended Gentry's 'Roast Before He's Toast' party, with Gene and his Farewell Party band providing the main entertainment for the festivities. The event was held on All Saint's Eve in the heart of Cajun Country at the Rebel State Historic Site, which Gentry helped found.
The invitation to the gathering read, "Robert Gentry. Birth: January 5, 1940. Death: God Only Knows." It further stated that "the eulogy, insults and other fitting remarks will be lead by former Louisiana Gov. Edwin W. Edwards," who served four terms as Governor and eight years in federal prison on a corruption conviction. A full pardon has been requested by the Governor's friends. Rebel Park was taken into the state parks system under Edwards' administration, and most of the buildings and improvements to the park happened while he was in office.
Gentry invited Gene and his band to perform, requesting them to end with the singer's signature song, 'Farewell Party,' which Gene graciously agreed to do. He and the band performed a full set that also included 'Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy),' 'Paper Rosie' and 'Love in the Hot Afternoon.'
Gene reports that Mrs. Gentry, dressed in black, sang two of her husband's favorite songs with the New Orleans Jazz Band. He noted that most of the people in attendance dressed as if they were attending a funeral. Many of the people who spoke talked about Gentry's long service to his community, but others chose to roast the businessman during the event.
"It was without a doubt the strangest show I've ever played, despite the fact that we were given a standing ovation when we ended with 'Farewell Party'," Gene said. His send-off gave credence to newspaper columnist and playwright George Ade's famous quote, "In the city, a funeral is a somber affair; in the country, it is a form of popular entertainment."
Gene will find himself playing more traditional gigs this week. Friday (Nov. 4) he performs at Club 30 in Enid, Okla., and Saturday (Nov. 5) he'll be at the Corydon (Ind.) Jamboree.
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