Suzy Bogguss is bringing her matchless vocals, entertaining personality, and stellar Nashville band to the Fox Tucson Theatre. Bogguss is a living legend of country music with an impressive resume, having earned eight Top 10 hits throughout the 1990’s before exploring new music influences. You can call her a country singer, but that’s really just the beginning.

Her string of hits has stood the test of time. From Grammy Award-winning performances to platinum-selling records, she has earned her stripes as a versatile singer-songwriter, producer and road warrior along the way.

In addition to her touring gigs, Bogguss hosts Wine Down Wednesdays, a monthly livestream at 5 p.m. CST featuring singers and songwriters such as Brandy Clark, Mandy Barnett and Billy Dean. Launched in 2020, the livestreams have strengthened her bonds with both musician friends and fans. “I didn’t know how good it would be for my heart, and I didn’t predict how much it would increase the attendance at my concerts,” she comments.

Her latest album, “Prayin’ for Sunshine,” was written during the lockdown and recorded at her home. “This is the first time I’ve written my whole album,” says Bogguss. It offers a mix of Southern storytelling, gorgeous vocals and organic instrumentation that showcases her country and Americana roots. 

Bogguss loves to cook, and every year for her December birthday, she hosts a party at her home in Tennessee. These evenings feature not only big pots of soup for 70 guests, but also jam sessions among her dinner guests, including Tommy Emmanuel, Keb’ Mo’, Sam Bush, Mac Davis, Gary Nicholson, and even Reba. 

Her birthday dinners are memorialized in her recent book, “Suzy’s Soup Night,” a celebration of soups, stews, chilis and chowders that pairs recipes with photos by her husband, songwriter Doug Crider. Pre-autographed copies—an ideal Christmas gift for friends and family—will be available for sale at the show.

Bogguss has a special bond with her audiences, and her charisma will fill the theater with warmth. This diverse concert will feature an eclectic mix of her greatest hits, Christmas standards, original holiday music, jazz, swing, country and bluegrass. 

“It’s an all-age kind of show from kids to grandparents. While we will have drums, they won’t be loud—more like a brush combo feel, with a melodic sound. The show has a swing vibe. We’ll be celebrating the season with some sing-alongs, and it’s definitely not serious—there will be an emphasis on fun,” she notes. 

Technically, I really only play guitar. Occasionally, I’ll beat on a snare drum. Guitar is my deal, but I think I might play the mandolin at the concert in Tucson. 

I write a lot with my husband. Doug is a master writer. We like to write in the morning—during conversations we have over coffee. A lot of times I’ll have ideas in my head, and he can take a thread of thought and run with it. Then I usually take over the music side of writing, guiding the chord structure and the melody.

I do feel like I’m very fortunate to have put music out when radio was really important, and country music was all that and a bag of chips. Once I left the major label and had a child, I slowed down a bunch.  I took some time off to be able to enjoy having a kid and to attend my son’s activities, like marching band and all that stuff. 

When I went back, I chose to have a smaller band. This enabled me to have less bus travel and more air travel. I’ve had a small group trio since 2010. I don’t have a big overhead, so I can perform in wonderful intimate theaters where I can interact more with the audiences.

Oh gosh! I’m actually getting ready to record a new album with some friends I’ve always wanted to make an album with. I’m not at liberty to name them right now, but I’m really excited about collaborating with these wonderful, talented songwriters and musicians. We are basically going to sequester ourselves for two weeks and write and record it during that time.

It depends on the night and the place. One song I’ve played for years, “Night Rider’s Lament,” is on my first album. It always brings delight to the audience, because I yodel and the band guys yodel with me. Some nights it’s “Letting Go,” or “Drive South.” 

My band—Rob Price, upright bass; Max Abbatino, guitar; and Dave Racine on the drums.

Yes, T-shirts, Christmas CD’s and pre-autographed cookbooks. The cookbooks have been extremely popular.

Trisha Yearwood, because her new album is off the charts. Sometimes I go after folks like Dierks Bentley—he’s a great musician. Brad Paisley would have a blast because we have such amazing guitar players. I’d love to get them together, and I know they would enjoy the experience.

Back when I was just starting out, I was in college and before my first gig (which was at a local bar,) my English teacher Spike said, “I’ve been watching you for the last two years. When you get out there into the world remember who you are. You probably shouldn’t get into a band. If you do, you need to be the lead singer in the band, you can’t just be a background singer.” That was really good advice.

And, when I won the Country Music Association Horizon Award [now the Award for New Artist of the Year] in 1992, Kathy Mattea, also a singer, told me, “It goes by like a blur. Try to soak it in, let it wash all over you. Take your time and write a journal, and keep things in your heart that have meant a lot to you.” Kathy’s one of my dearest friends now.

I’ve got to be outside. I’m outdoorsy. My favorite thing is to have my coffee outside; it doesn’t matter where I am. Also, if I forget my phone on the nightstand, that can help get me started in the right way, watching the birds instead of looking at my phone. I love to cook, so I might go to a farmer’s market, and get really excited about cooking with the fresh ingredients. I have a garden with flowers and vegetables, and I enjoy tending my garden. Sometime during the day, I would have a nice conversation with my hubby and/or friends—maybe a laugh here or there.

Wow, that’s a big one! For me, my favorite thing is live music. I feel so present in my live shows. The energy gets passed from one person to another person. I’m on stage and I feel the energy we’re giving out and the energy our audience gives back to us to keep going and to shine. I’ve always been an optimistic person. There’s so much turmoil in the world right now, and music helps to connect us on our shared journey.