Sara Evans performs live in Coral Springs March 16, 2017.

By: Sharon Aron Baron

Multi-platinum selling country singer and songwriter Sara Evans will be making a visit to Coral Springs on March 16. Known for hits such as “Suds in the Bucket”, “Born to Fly”, “A Little Bit Stronger” and more, Evans has been called “one of the most compelling vocalists of her generation.”

Since emerging in the late 1990s, Evans has had a prolific recording career that has seen the sale of more then 6 million albums. She’s had five #1 songs, four others appearing in the Top 10, two #1 Billboard Country Albums, five appearing on Billboard’s Top 200 all-genre chart and four consecutive RIAA certified Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum albums. She’s received awards from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Award and has garnered nominations for Grammy Awards (2), American Country Awards (10) and CMT Music Awards (5).

In 2014, Evans released her seventh studio album Slow Me Down which came over two years after the release of Stronger, her second Billboard Country Album Chart #1. Slow Me Down’s title track, was named by Billboard as one of the “10 Best Country Singles of 2013.”

At the root of all those accolades is a God-given talent fueled by an impressive midwestern work ethic instilled by her parents. She grew up singing in her family’s band and then moved to Nashville looking for a record deal. Legendary songwriter Harlan Howard heard her on a demo and helped open a door for her at RCA Records where she’s been ever since.

“I’ve always felt like I’m a very lucky person,” says Evans. “To be given a gift to sing, I don’t know why the Lord has blessed me with this talent, but it has always made me feel lucky. I always appreciate those special moments like having a Number 1 record or doing a great show.”

Seven albums into an already impressive career and Evans has never been more excited about the music she’s making. “I feel like I sang with a ton of confidence this time around,” she said. “You always want to get better with your craft and your art. I’m always striving to sing better, write better, and perform better because I’m very competitive with myself.”

After enduring a divorce, Evans rebounded personally and professionally. She and her three children are now settled in Birmingham, Alabama with former pro quarterback-turned-sportscaster Jay Barker, whom she married in 2008.

“Everything in my professional life is a reflection of my personal life and I feel confident, happy and settled,” she says of life in Alabama with the blended family that includes her three children and Barker’s four.. “I’m secure in who I am and where I’m going and I always do better in my career when life isn’t stressful.”

In addition to her music, Evans is an accomplished author of three books with co-writer Rachel Hauck and writes a lifestyle blog, “A Real Fine Place,” with her sister-in-law Kaelin “K.K” Evans where they share their passion for fashion, beauty, travel and food. She was the first country artist to compete on ABC’s popular “Dancing with the Stars” and she’s been named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.”

A tireless philanthropist, Evans is involved in several charitable endeavors and has been awarded the Crystal Cross by the American Red Cross. Last year she and Barker launched Rock the South. The festival attracted 50,000 country music fans and raised money for the Children’s Hospital of Birmingham and Alabama Forever, a charity formed to help rebuild the areas in Alabama that were struck by devastating tornados.

Though her new album is titled Slow Me Down its obvious Sara Evans isn’t even taking her foot off the gas these days. “I knew that when I started to make this record that I wanted to go further than I had ever gone before with my music,” she says. “Vocally I wanted to challenge myself. I’m super happy with the outcome.”

Sara Evans will be performing one show only at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets here at Coral Springs Center for the Arts.

Author Profile

Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.