EARLVILLE – Award winning musician Susan Kay “Suzy” Bogguss is slated to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday on the stage of the Earlville Opera House, 18 East Main Street, Earlville.
Bogguss, who said she has been interested in music since she was a small child in the church choir, has a collection of awards from The Academy of Country Music, The Country Music Association, CMT, and a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album.
“I was in the band and chorus all throughout school,” she said. “I played the drums and then picked up the guitar in high school. Then, my love for guitar carried me into professional music.”
Bogguss released her album American Folk Songbook in July of 2011, along with a 96-page hardcover songbook to accompany the music. Cracker Barrel Country Stores promoted the album and book nationwide in an effort to reach out to American families.
The album contains her renditions of traditional folk songs including “Shenandoah,” “Red River Valley,” Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” and “Erie Canal.” The book is filled with illustrations, historical stories about each of the songs, sheet music for piano, guitar and voice, and also personal anecdotes from Bogguss herself.
While Bogguss has never before performed in Earlville, she is excited to see what the Opera House and community have to offer.
“I hear it’s [Earlville] really awesome,” Bogguss stated. “I have been all over but I’ve never played there. I love old theaters and when communities come together to keep them going. Things like that better the community, and it’s great. I’m excited about this show.”
She added the show will feature a trio - guitar, harmonica and upright bass - and insists it will be a family-friendly show.
“The folk songs really are for all ages, kids will really get into this show,” she said. “It’s not like they will be antsy and kicking the floor, bored in their seats.”
Bogguss said the folk songs the trio will be performing act as a nice crossover from her other music and stated anyone can connect with the songs - including grandparents, parents, teens and school-aged children.
“Music has always been my purest joy even as a child. One of my favorite memories is my grade-school music teacher pounding on the piano and leading the class in rousing renditions of folk songs from all around the world,” Bogguss wrote in the introduction to her book. “In the summer of 2008 I toured with the brilliant and engaging Garrison Keillor. The energy that passed between the audience and Garrison was overwhelming at times. Several thousand people standing and singing together - old songs, hymns, the Beatles and the Everly Brothers. People of all ages, sharing music. Ahhh, pure joy.”
According to Bogguss, her favorite song to perform from the album is “Shenandoah,” stating it is the most beautiful melody she has heard in her whole life.
Bogguss added, “We’ve done concerts with kids that include songs that speak about a number of ideas, and the foundations and building of the United States, but when we pull out “Shenandoah,” you can just feel it. It’s sentimental.”
Each traditional song on the album has been given new life, as Bogguss didn’t want to present the songs as “dusty museum pieces.” Her interpretation of the traditional songs often gets the audience to sing along and she said the interaction is fantastic and something she truly enjoys.
Bogguss said she hopes area residents and those visiting Earlville as part of their summer vacation time will check out the show at the Earlville Opera House, adding, “I hope people think of us for part of their relaxation time. Some people think it’s more about intensity, but me? I’m a goofball and we try really hard to get people to forget about what gets on their nerves.”
“I strive to really honest-to-God entertain,” she added.
For additional information on Suzy Bogguss visit suzybogguss.com.
Ticket prices for Saturday’s show range from $25 to $40. To purchase tickets in advance visit earlvilleoperahouse.com.