WRLTHD: Suzy Bogguss performing at the Grand Ole Opry

Suzy Bogguss was born on Dec. 30, in Aledo, Illinois. She grew up in a farming family that loved music. Bogguss earned a degree from Illinois State University but sang in clubs and coffee houses to earn extra money. Her repertoire included country songs such as "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" and "Night Rider's Lament." After five years of touring in a van, she was performing regularly at a Nashville restaurant. She made a tape in 1986 to sell at her performance at Dollywood. The recordings landed in the hands of executives at Capitol Records, and Bogguss landed a recording contract.

She reached the Top 15 in 1989 with "Cross My Broken Heart" and again in 1991 with a Lee Greenwood duet, "Hopelessly Yours." Her 1991 album Aces spawned three Top 10 hits- "Outbound Plane," "Aces," and "Letting Go." In 1992, the Country Music Association recognized her with its Horizon Award.

In 1993, Bogguss climbed to No. 2 with "Drive South," a song written by John Hiatt. The Top 5 hits "Just Like the Weather" and "Hey Cinderella" followed. She and her friend Chet Atkins released the album Simpatico in 1994.

After parting with Capitol Records, Bogguss resurfaced with an album on the Platinum label in 1999. After extensive touring with John Berry and Billy Dean, she released Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in 2001 followed by Swing! in 2003.