The Farr Side: Here's how and why you should get tickets to Sara Evans
Singer Sara Evans has been one of country music’s biggest female artists of last 20 years. That’s saying something when you take into account artists like Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, Martina Mc Bride and Reba McEntire have all dominated the genre at one point or another during those years. However, Evans managed to be the fifth most-played female artist of the last two decades.
I’ve always appreciated her voice and her beautiful ability to bring songs to life. It’s a gift and she’s been able to keep the magic alive and going for several years. Her latest album, “Unbroken,” is some of her finest contributions to the musical landscape so far.
Evans is currently on the road in support of the new album. The tour will make stops across the country including at the award-winning Blue Gate Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana, Indiana on July 11. Tickets are still available. The show will feature an array of hits from her catalog as well as some surprises that just might take you by surprise.
“Unbroken” is Evans’ 10th studio album and features the hit singles “21 Days” and “Sorry Now.” Both tracks showcase her undeniable vocal strengths and depth of her range.
My favorite track on the new album has to be “Pride.” It’s strong lyrical content is perfect for someone of her vocal caliber. I’m hoping this song becomes a single for her as I believe it would be a big song for her.
Evans quickly rose to fame in the late 90s with the debut release of her “Three Chords And The Truth” album. The album faired well and introduced such singles as “True Lies,” “Shame About That” and the title track. Her follow release, “No Place That Far” was the album to make people stop and listen. “Cryin’ Game” was the first single, but it was the albums title track that took Evans all the way to the top. “No Place That Far” became her first of five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Singles Charts.
“Born To Fly” continued Evans’ winning streak. The debuted at No. 1 on the Country Albums Charts and spawned the hits “I Keep Looking,” “Saints & Angels” and her cover of the Edwin McCain smash “I Could Not Ask For More.” The track also peaked at No. 1 for Evans.
Several more successful platinum albums followed including “Restless,” “Real Fine Place,” “Stronger” “Slow Me Down” and “Words” to name a few.
But tracks from those albums helped to keep her one of radio’s most played artists. She’s had 44 singles including ”Suds In The Bucket,” “A Little Bit Stronger,” “My Heart Can’t Tell You No,” “Cheatin,’” “Put My Heart Down,” “Feels Just Like A Love Song,” “Some Things Never Change” and “Backseat of A Greyhound Bus” ruled radio airwaves.
In researching some history behind Evans I was pleasantly surprised by an album she had released during Covid called “Copy That.” This was an album filled with covers of some of music’s biggest and maybe even oddest songs. I say “oddest” because never in a million years would I have ever guessed that Evans would record cover of such songs like “Come On Eileen” (Dexy’s Midnight Runners) or “My Sharona” (The Knack). I was so intrigued that I had to look up this album and give it a listen.
My buddy, Doug, surprised me with a copy of the album on vinyl. It’s pretty cool to enjoy her takes on such artists as Fleetwood Mac, The Pretender, Poco, Chicago, John Mayer, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and others, 13 covers in all.
David T. Farr is a Journal Correspondent. Email him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: The Farr Side: Here's how and why you should get tickets to Sara Evans