Surrounded by the love of books, stories and classical music, this shy little girl discovered in high school that folk music embodied the perfect combination of storytelling and melody, and her guitar became her best friend. Though she dutifully attained a BA in German from Arizona State University, with the intention of teaching high school, she discovered that she is apparently a tad too ornery to have a “real job”.

The lure of music… especially folk music… proved too strong, and Sue has spent her life gathering and writing songs, and sharing them with audiences all around our state. While the music is of course an irresistible vehicle, the bottom line is this: it’s all about the stories!

Arizona’s rich legacy simply must be celebrated. Our incredible state welcomes thousands of new residents every year, who may be so involved in the whirl of the city and their day-to-day jobs that they might miss the magic of Arizona’s history and culture. Sue delights in introducing people to our unique heritage with her sometimes quirky repertoire that includes songs about cowboys, quails, coyotes, Kokopelli, and even the canal-dwelling grass carp! A land that requires one to carry potholders in one’s purse in the summer (for opening car doors) does tend to elicit the eccentric.

For many years, Sue was on the Roster of Performing Artists for the Arizona Commission on the Arts, traveling around the state and presenting concerts and workshops for schools and community centers. She also spent ten years as the music specialist in a private school, having a grand time sharing and writing songs with children ages two to twelve. Sue still relishes the opportunity to work with and perform for children, enjoying their yet-unsullied perspective on the world, and embracing the chance to introduce them to the Arizona she knows and loves, via songs and stories.

She has been featured at many folk music festivals and cowboy poetry and music gatherings throughout the Southwest and even Canada, and has released two CD’s (“Where Have I Been All My Life” and “Tall Tales and Treasures”), both of which have enjoyed international airplay. In addition, her recording of Dean Cook’s “Where Do You Go” (a song questioning the availability of restrooms along the Bright Angel Trail) was included on the Smithsonian Folkways compilation CD “Songs and Stories from Grand Canyon”, proving that someone at the Smithsonian Institution does have a sense of humor!

“The teachers write the history

But the minstrels give it life

And the world’s a poorer place

When we let a legend die.”

(from “The Minstrel’s Song” © Dean Cook)