Suzy Bogguss' career got off to a charmed start in 1985 while she was playing one of her weekly gigs in Silver Dollar City. Doesn't ring a bell? Try Dollywood. Yep, Dolly Parton showed up to check it out as a possible location.

Just a few days later, some reps of Parton's came to one of Bogguss' gigs in Nashville — and offered her a job.

Not only would she be playing at Dollywood, Bogguss would also be Parton's opening act for five concerts. The Dollywood gig led to a record deal, all less than one year after arriving in “Music City.”

“Nashville was like that from the day I got there ... everywhere a door opened to somewhere,” Bogguss said in a phone interview Sept. 12. “I met the person who became my publisher playing volleyball. Yeah, I'm the first person to admit my life has been like a Nashville Cinderella story!”

Parton, who Bogguss describes as being “like a big sister with a crazy sense of humor,” talked about the music business and advised her not to do drugs or “get caught up in the fame.”

Singing is her first love, but Bogguss is a collaborative songwriter as well.

The next year, in 1987, she met Merle Haggard while she was performing on a show called Nashville Now.

Bogguss was playing the old Hoagy Carmichael tune, “Ain't Misbehavin.”

“(Haggard) really responded well to me like we were kindred spirits. Sometimes the best thing you can do is sing the best song you can find — like those old tunes. It gives you that vehicle to phrase it the way you want to, get your message across and connect with the audience. It's a great practice tool when you're starting out.”

When it comes to songwriting, Bogguss prefers collaborating with one or two other people. One of those others is often her husband of 28 years, songwriter Doug Crider.

She said after all this time they do better than they did in the early years. Back then, she said, laughing, they used to have to have a third person around to referee.

When she plays the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor on Oct. 4, she will be singing some of those collaborated songs, songs fans like to hear, and tunes from her 2014 release, “Lucky.”

The album is a collection of Haggard's songs — some of Bogguss’ favorites, some being pertinent to her life right now, and others a reminder of her youth.

“As a singer, I feel completely connected to his songs, but its my interpretation of them. What I was truing to do is use my band with our sound, my production, and highlight the songwriter,” Bogguss said. “And to show people see how amazingly versatile these songs are.

“I listened to Merle in my dad's car. He worked in a factory, for International Harvester. The songs were the life of our town — they carpooled, there was cheatin, there were people who had to go have a beer because their lives were so hard ... these songs spoke to me even back then, I remember thinking grownups lives were so hard, I liked being a kid just fine.”

In 1995, Bogguss, Alison Krauss and Kathy Mattea were the subjects of a 1995 PBS special, “Women of Country Music.”

The special includes their performance at the White House, at the request of President Bill Clinton.

“All three of us, I think, were some of their favorites,” Bogguss said. “They said they loved the stories ... And, Hilary is a strong woman and all three of us sure are. It was pretty cool. After the concert, the Clintons invited us to their quarters at the White House for a 90-minute tour.”

Bogguss said she has always been drawn to strong women, including in country music. She cites Patsy Montana as being one of the first “to really kick it for women.”

The 18-year-old Montana was singing about wanting to be with a cowboy, sleep under the stars, not wait at home for him to call.

Montana was the first female country singer to sell one million records with “I Want to Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart” in 1935. It's a song Bogguss often sings during shows.

A few more gals on the strong side Bogguss admires are Kitty Wells singing about Honky Tonk Angels, Loretta Lynn, and several of the newer singers like Miranda Lambert, Katie Mudgraves and Randy Clark.

“Randy is an independent artist on an independent label and she's up for a CMA (Country Music Award) this year. That's a first for country music and a whole new bag for the CMAs,” Bogguss said. “That's something right there speaking well for the females. Maybe not as many are getting through, like in the old days, but when they do, they make big strides.”

Maine, she said, is one of her favorite places on earth and she loves the Opera House.

“Every time I walk in there I think I'm going to see the movie “Dirty Dancing” or something,” Bogguss said. “It reminds of an old-time camp type show places — with a great vibe.”

Bogguss likes to bring the best musicians she can on the road.

For this show, Craig Smith will be on a classic electric Deepender guitar and Charlie Chadwicks on standup bass.

“Charlie really gets crazy with his bass, it's almost like he's dancing with her. And Craig and that guitar make you feel like you're in a bar with an old country vibe, you know, where things aren't all pretty and clean ... there's almost a naughty feeling about it.”

Tickets are on sale now for the Saturday, Oct. 4 show. For more information, visit www.boothbayoperahouse.com or call the box office at 207-633-6855.