Suzy Bogguss - UK tour in May / June

Album releasesLiveStage shows
Written By Chris Singleton

"Suzy Bogguss is an artist of true beauty, sensitivity and integrity. 'The American Folk Songbook' gently weaves together a collection of traditional songs that have inspired this wonderful heritage project and Suzy's fantastic career."  – Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

Golden-throated Suzy Bogguss is back in the UK for an early summer tour of classic acoustic folk bliss. The platinum selling songstress can’t wait to get on stage saying:

“I've been coming over to the UK since 1989, and every year for the past 6 years. I have a love affair with the people. The fans are unique, they really get involved with artists they follow and I'm freaked out sometimes by how much they know about the songs! I've actually had some folks sing my songs to me when I couldn't remember the words! Last year I had a blast with Wine, Women and Song and we even played Glastonbury. This year I am touring with my acoustic trio. Can't wait to get back!”

Suzy first came to the UK for the Wembley Festival in 1989 and has been a frequent visitor ever since, notably with Gretchen Peters and Matraca Berg as "Wine, Women & Song". Songs like Aces, Drive South and Letting Go amongst others took her to the top of the country music charts. Along the way she won raves from critics and peers including Terry Wogan who often playlists her songs on his radio show and had her join him on the ‘Wogan’ TV show. Bob Harris is also a huge fan, having her on his show many times. Suzy won a Grammy Award in 2005 for Traditional Folk Album, the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award in 1992 and album of the Year Award in 1994. She also hosted the CMA Awards live for the BBC with Paul Sexton in 2007.

With her shelf already full of Grammy and CMA awards she can now put her own book up there too with the release of American Folk Songbook. The CD and companion song book was created out of a revelation on stage with Garrison Keillor in 2008. Everyone loves to sing along on Red River Valley – except the children who somehow don't know the song. Folk songs are the scrapbook of the American experience, but as music education fades from US public schools, she worried: these beautiful melodies are in danger of being overlooked. She resolved to record these timeless songs in an updated but reverent way so that everyone could join in.

“We're playing a broad mix of material on the tour but I know we'll have fun with my current project, American Folk Songbook. The Brits are great with sing-alongs, and though we'll probably haggle over the lyrics we share a lot of music.”

Suzy says she modelled the pages after her "good old 5th grade songbook." The hardcover, 96-page book is filled with illustrations, fascinating historical stories about the songs, easy to read sheet music arrangements for piano, voice and guitar and as personal insights and anecdotes from Bogguss. It is an appreciation for tradition that really shines through on American Folk Songbook. The album is filled with songs that are the very fabric of American musical history and Bogguss reclaims this history and revives it with a fresh and beautiful take on classics like Shenandoah, Wayfaring Stranger, Ol’ Dan Tucker, Beautiful Dreamer and of course, Red River Valley" Everybody sing along!

Suzy Bogguss UK live dates

Suzy Bogguss will be playing the following UK dates:

  • Wednesday 23 May - The Gala, Durham
  • Thursday 24 May - The Stables, Milton Keynes
  • Saturday 26 May - Phoenix, Exeter
  • Sunday 27 May - Bush Hall, London 
  • Monday 28 May - Arts Centre, Norwich
  • Wednesday 30 May - Eric's, Liverpool
  • Thursday 31 May- Bootleggers Bar, Cumbria
  • Friday 1 June - Town Hall, Selby
  • Saturday 2 June - The Met, Bury Lancs  

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Chris Singleton
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