"Music & Message" - Summer Pops Concert
Saturday, July 14, 2012 - 7:30 PM
Bemidji High School Auditorium
Special Summer Pops Pricing: All tickets $10! K-12 Students admitted free.
A singer/songwriter and working North Dakota farmer, Suchy brings to the stage his story-telling lyricism, gentle humor, and passion for life on the land. This program features Suchy and his original songs arranged for orchestra accompaniment. According to BSO Music Director Dr. Beverly Everett, “Chuck is what I would call a story-teller-through-music. I love his style. He has a very strong connection to the audience, and his music reaches people of all ages and walks of life. His music makes you both laugh and cry, but most of all, it leaves you wanting more!”
As is the BSO’s summer concert tradition, the Orchestra will also play several “Americana” songs, including well known tunes like America the Beautiful, Old Man River, and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.
Chuck Suchy (pronounced SOO-key) is the real thing—one of the foremost musical voices of the American Great Plains. A working farmer, born and raised and at home in the blue hills along the Missouri River south of Mandan, North Dakota, Chuck Suchy has a love for making music that goes back to his childhood. Throughout his youth and young adult life, he found time to perform in the area's halls, clubs and lounges, singing and playing guitar and accordion. In 1982 a major event occurred when an acquaintance gave him a tape of Canadian troubadour Stan Rogers singing his classic Field Behind The Plow. “It was at that moment,” Suchy says, “that I realized that the life I was immersed in was worthy of song.” He began writing his own ballads and songs, slipping them into his performances, and it was soon obvious that he was on to something quite unique—sensitive and honest portrayals of contemporary American farm life, but from an insider's point of view.
In the decade since, Suchy has continued to write, sing and record songs evoking and extolling the Great Plains region and lifestyle. His themes have expanded to include songs about human relationships, spirituality, motorcycles, and even sailing. The Plains have seen a lot of change over this time, including farm crises, loss of population, and a major restructuring of the agricultural economy. Chuck remains an astute observer of it all and his songs chronicle not only the events, but the emotions and feelings that accompany such upheaval and change. His music and stories speak to everyone—urban and rural—because laughter, love, gain and loss are common human property.
“…natural grace inspired by love of the land…”
Folk Roots Magazine (UK)
“… an unerring ear for sounds of the prairie…sounds like my great-aunt and -uncle's Iowa farmhouse smelled — hard soap/fresh bread/tractor grease…four stars!”
Jim Tarbox, St. Paul Pioneer Press
Bemidji High School Auditorium
Special Summer Pops Pricing: All tickets $10! K-12 Students admitted free.
A singer/songwriter and working North Dakota farmer, Suchy brings to the stage his story-telling lyricism, gentle humor, and passion for life on the land. This program features Suchy and his original songs arranged for orchestra accompaniment. According to BSO Music Director Dr. Beverly Everett, “Chuck is what I would call a story-teller-through-music. I love his style. He has a very strong connection to the audience, and his music reaches people of all ages and walks of life. His music makes you both laugh and cry, but most of all, it leaves you wanting more!”
As is the BSO’s summer concert tradition, the Orchestra will also play several “Americana” songs, including well known tunes like America the Beautiful, Old Man River, and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.
Chuck Suchy (pronounced SOO-key) is the real thing—one of the foremost musical voices of the American Great Plains. A working farmer, born and raised and at home in the blue hills along the Missouri River south of Mandan, North Dakota, Chuck Suchy has a love for making music that goes back to his childhood. Throughout his youth and young adult life, he found time to perform in the area's halls, clubs and lounges, singing and playing guitar and accordion. In 1982 a major event occurred when an acquaintance gave him a tape of Canadian troubadour Stan Rogers singing his classic Field Behind The Plow. “It was at that moment,” Suchy says, “that I realized that the life I was immersed in was worthy of song.” He began writing his own ballads and songs, slipping them into his performances, and it was soon obvious that he was on to something quite unique—sensitive and honest portrayals of contemporary American farm life, but from an insider's point of view.
In the decade since, Suchy has continued to write, sing and record songs evoking and extolling the Great Plains region and lifestyle. His themes have expanded to include songs about human relationships, spirituality, motorcycles, and even sailing. The Plains have seen a lot of change over this time, including farm crises, loss of population, and a major restructuring of the agricultural economy. Chuck remains an astute observer of it all and his songs chronicle not only the events, but the emotions and feelings that accompany such upheaval and change. His music and stories speak to everyone—urban and rural—because laughter, love, gain and loss are common human property.
“…natural grace inspired by love of the land…”
Folk Roots Magazine (UK)
“… an unerring ear for sounds of the prairie…sounds like my great-aunt and -uncle's Iowa farmhouse smelled — hard soap/fresh bread/tractor grease…four stars!”
Jim Tarbox, St. Paul Pioneer Press
All concerts are held at the Bemidji High School Auditorium. Join us after each concert for a brief post-concert conversation with conductor Beverly Everett and BSO's guest artists and composers. All Tickets are for general admission seating. All concerts are held at the Bemidji High School Auditorium, 2900 Division Street West, Bemidji, MN.
