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 accordian. 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, Chuck 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.
CROSSROADS
MAGAZINE has called Chuck "…one of the shining lights
of the Upper Great Plains." His music and stories speak to
everyone -urban and rural- because laughter, love, gain and loss
are common human property. |
