 Courtesy of the Artist
Nestled in the mountains of central Idaho, the picturesque town of Challis bustles every August when it plays host to the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival. Regarded as one of the state’s premier musical gatherings by both attendees and artists alike, the BBR is a family-friendly event that draws thousands of visitors from across the globe, bringing artists and fans together in an unparalleled setting for three unforgettable days.
This year, the BBR will be held from August 9th-11th and will feature fifteen plus Americana, Texas, and Red Dirt artists including Grammy, CMA, ACM, and ASCAP winner Suzy Bogguss who is making her second appearance. Ahead of the Festival, Bogguss kindly took the time to speak about what makes the BBR special to her, her varied musical career, and what's ahead. Currently, you’re on tour with your trio and in August, you’re heading out to Challis for the BBR. This will be my second trip, but I’ve known the boys since the early 90’s when they were little. I was performing fairs and things like that and the boys would open for me when they were with their Dad [Muzzie and the Boys]. In fact, the first time I played the BBR, Gary showed me a picture of him giving me a kiss on the cheek when he was about eight (laughing). It’s pretty neat to see how far they’ve come and how they’ve evolved as musicians as well. That’s so incredible. Did you stay in touch all through the years? You know, I lost track of them for a long time, but when I became a fan of Reckless and the Motorcars, I put two and two together. Then, when I got to sing at the BBR for the first time, we rekindled everything. So, in addition to your friendship with them, what drew you back to play the BBR again? It is such a unique festival. I try to tell people, especially folks who haven’t been, that the BBR is what a festival is supposed to be. Some festivals you play, the music is the background, and the BBR is so much more than a big boozefest, it’s truly a celebration of music. I love that the people who come love the bands and are there to participate in celebrating music as well as having a great time. The first time I played, the audience was singing every word to every song. There’s something about that feeling of participation and communication with the crowd that is so energizing and beautiful. I’m picky about what words I use and what I try to communicate in a song and sometimes I wonder if anyone cares about what I’m doing, so it’s a great feeling to know that someone is moved by what you’re singing. You feel validated and know people appreciate you. The crowd is very attentive. The setting is also pretty amazing. It’s unbelievable. I don’t know if they’re still doing this, but the first time I was there they had police or patrol on horseback and it made everything so low key. It felt like what a festival is supposed to be - nothing should have to be enforced, everyone should take responsibility for themselves and respect the grounds and what you’re participating in. It felt like everyone cared. For the past few years you have been playing with your trio, how do you adapt from playing more intimate venues to outdoor stages? We tailor the show for wherever we are, but I always want to do the songs people know me for. I play a lot of small theatres during regular times of the year and I tend to babble a lot, tell really bad jokes (laughing), and talk to people one on one in the audience. In larger venues and outdoor areas, I have to be more concise, so I try to not babble as much and if I’m going to talk between songs, I have to make it count (laughing). 
One thing both artists and attendees, many who have become friends over the years, love is spending time with one another. You play on Saturday, are you planning on staying for a bit?
I love that you say that because I think that’s one of the things I like most about hearing from people who have followed me over the years. They’ll tell me they met in 1992 when I was doing whatever and they’ve been friends ever since and it’s a nice feeling to know there’s still people who actually talk to each other and make a connection through things they share. We play Saturday then head to Bozeman on Sunday, so we’re planning on coming in on Friday because I have a lot of friends picking that night who I am excited to see play and hang out with. Do you enjoy watching your friends’ sets? Yes. I do that everywhere because I find I learn things. Watching others inspires me and makes me want to work harder, practice more, and write better. These guys [The Brauns] know every song imaginable, so you can literally pick with them for 14 hours and not repeat a single one. They do that at Steamboat and I almost died staying up until 3 am trying to keep up with them (laughing). Every instrument is lying around the room and you play your song then go around the room and 18 turns later, it’s your turn again. It’s just so contagious being with everyone and singing, playing, and jamming. I enjoy it. I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that. In 2016 you released ‘Aces Redux’ which featured fresh acoustic arrangements of the platinum-selling ‘Aces,’ which celebrated its 25th anniversary. Are there any plans for a new record? I’ve been writing like crazy and have some new songs that I’m trying to figure out what to do with. I do think this will be an album where I write pretty much all the songs, which is something I haven’t done in years. I want to let people know where I’m at, what I’m thinking, and the experiences I have had. I’ll record them maybe in the summer, but I’m kind of searching for something unique to do with them to make them stand out a bit. You’ve made albums that have run the gamut from modern swing, jazz, and folk, as well as Lucky which was a collection of interpretations of Merle Haggard songs…where will this one take you? Over the years, I wanted to try a bunch of different things. Often times, what I did was usually led by a friendship I made. I had known Ray Benson in 80’s when I opened for them in Montana. I had this dream and woke the next morning and called Ray to make an album. I made the jazz album in New York with a guy who came to my show and asked me what I was doing next. I didn’t know, so I asked him what he was doing, and we made the album. Then I toured with Garrison Keller and that led to the folk record - so everything kind of came after something. The Merle record took me back to my country roots and the new songs I have written are kinda bluesy. It's weird I don’t know if I have to feel like I’ve done the full wagon wheel or what, but now I have things in my head and I want to make sure whatever we capture with these songs is a little less perfect than the records made in Nashville in the 90’s. The last few records of mine were made at my house and studio with my husband as my engineer, this time, I feel like I’m ready for something different this time. I want to get out of my house so I can stop thinking about doing laundry or painting that door (laughing). I want it to be a real concentrated time period where I’m making music and that’s all I think about. I’m not good at planning and everything seems to appear when I sort of open up to it so I’m here waiting for something to say ‘jump on this’ because it usually seems like it has to be sort of an impulse for me to make that commitment. I’m gonna do it, I just need something to help me. Who knows, maybe at the BBR I will pull Willy aside and say 'come produce a record with me.' To keep up with Suzy Bogguss Website/Facebook/Twitter 2018 Braun Brothers Reunion Challis, Idaho August 9-11th Purchase: 3 Day Pass $124.30 Purchase: 2 Day Pass Friday and Saturday ONLY The BBR is held rain or shine. Tickets purchased online will be picked up at will call at the venue. Tickets are Non-refundable. Kids age 5 and under are free. Kids age 6-12 are $15 a day and can ONLY be purchased at the front gate even if its sold out. Kids age 13 and up pay full adult price. Website/Facebook/Twitter
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