A Conversation with Sara Evans
A Conversation with Sara Evans
Sitting Down with the Country Music Star Before Her Performance at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino
Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino will be in the holiday spirit when Sara Evans, a fan favorite Country Music Award winning star, ends her “Go Tell It On The Mountain Christmas Tour” with one show only on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 7:00pm.
Evans is the fifth most played female country artist on country radio, which gives you an idea why her shows have been sold out year after year with songs like “I Keep Looking”, “A Real Nice Place To Start”, “A Little Bit Stronger”, “Born To Fly” and “Suds In The Bucket”.
Starting out singing lead vocals at the age of six in the family formed band, The Evans Family Band with her two older brothers, the singer eventually moved on to a solo career which started with the release of her first album, “Three Chords and the Truth” in 1997. Though not a commercially successful album, Evans was out to prove she had what it took to be a successful artist and released her second album, “No Place That Far” in 1998 and her career started opening up. She has been a musical force since, with a new studio album to be released in 2024.
Her album, “Copy That” is a compilation of other artists’ songs sung as “cover songs”, done typically during the course of an artist’s live shows as a nod to that artist’s favorite songs. Taking on a new twist, the singer/songwriter put together an album of these songs along with continuing “the family music theme” she grew up on by having her son Avery play guitar on this unique, fun album as well as her two daughters, Olivia and Audrey, adding their vocals to the critically acclaimed project. “It was so fun… I can’t even describe it,” said Evans. adding, “Some things are just magical.”
Wearing multiple hats in the entertainment industry, she has added songwriter, producer, advocate, author and actress to her list of achievements, Evans has been nominated multiple times for every award you can think of while winning Female Vocalist of the Year in 2005 from the Academy of Country Music. In October of this year, she was asked to join the Grand Ole Opry, which was a dream of hers since she was a child. We talk about that in the following conversation.
When I caught up with Evans, we discussed her career and had some fun with Christmas questions to set the mood for her fans before they come out to see her December 16 at the Seneca Allegany Event Center.
We also talked about her stint on The Masked Singer and how her song, “Suds In The Bucket” almost didn’t make the album and the event that ironically came around full circle by being the first of it’s kind… which incidentally is her favorite song to sing live.
Make plans to come out and share the hits and some holiday magic with this star of country music. You’re sure to leave with that Christmas spirit in your heart.
For information and tickets visit SenecaAlleganyCasino.com. To learn more about Sara Evans visit saraevans.com.
A CONVERSATION WITH SARA EVANS
HULICK: You were just inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on October 7th by Crystal Gayle. Congratulations! When you were invited to join, your initial answer was “no”, which obviously was a joke. That’s funny. What was the whole experience like?
EVANS: From the moment Bill Anderson surprised me in August onstage at the Ryman with my Opry invitation, to Crystal Gayle inducting me in that sacred circle, it’s been surreal. I had been waiting to be asked to be an Opry member for years, so when it finally happened, it felt like a monumental night in my life and career; it really felt perfect. It was also so special that Bill Anderson, who invited me to become a member, was also on the bill the night of my induction.
HULICK: You’ve had an amazing career. Is music what you always wanted to do?
EVANS: Yes! I started singing on stage at 5-years-old all over Missouri with my brothers and sisters. I would be singing until 2:00am watching drunk people two step. Of course that wouldn’t fly today, but back then it was no big deal! My mom was instrumental in getting us into music. I actually went to college for 11 days to study music, and then realized I just needed to move to Nashville if I was really serious about making it happen. But I’ve always known that this is my God-given gift and what I was put on earth to do... other than be a mother!
HULICK: Who are your musical idols?
EVANS: Reba, Dolly, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Patty Loveless, Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks… so many great artists have influenced me… I could go on for days.
HULICK: When you were asked to be part of The Masked Singer, were you all in right away or did it take some convincing?
EVANS: I mean the second they asked, I was all in! It’s such a fun concept for a family-friendly show. We worked so hard that week recording backup versions of the songs, learning choreography, rehearsing, etc. Filming days for TV are always super long. The craziest part was that my manager and I had to be covered from head to toe the entire time we were on set, so that we didn’t spoil the surprise. It was such a fun experience, especially getting to see Dick Van Dyke sing “When You’re Smiling” by Billie Holiday. I literally cried.
HULICK: You were the Mustang. The costumes are so elaborate. Do the contestants have any input on what they are going to be or the songs they will sing?
EVANS: Yeah! We had a few meetings before the show to go over costume ideas. They brought the idea of “Mustang” to me and when I saw their sketches for the costume, I thought it was amazing and perfect. For the songs, they told us what the night would be themed, so I came back with a few options that fit the category and we narrowed it down until we picked the one!
HULICK: Your song “Suds In The Bucket” is one of the first songs honored in a new category by CMT for social media only, “Trending Comeback Song of the Year”, which is for classic songs that withstood the test of time and are part of recent social trends that still resonate with fans old and new. The song actually was in jeopardy of not making the album, “Restless” because the head of the record company didn’t think you should record it, but radio programmers were in love with the song and got it turned around as a must for the album. How ironic is it that the song would now be one of the first songs considered in this new CMT category?
EVANS: All I need to say is I’m always right! (laughs) I really pushed for “Suds”. We brought the demo to the label and as a musician I could really just hear its potential. That song has 9 lives… it had its big week at Country Radio where we were blessed with a 2 week Number One hit. Then every few years it gets discovered again and comes back to life. I love singing it live and watching the whole crowd singing along and it just makes them so happy.
HULICK: In 2020 you released your album, “Copy That” which was an album of cover songs. That’s one of the best parts of concerts when you get to hear which song your favorite artist(s) will do at the end of their show. You seemed to really enjoy doing that album. Will there ever be a “Copy That II”?
EVANS: You never know! I had so much fun making “Copy That” and am SO incredibly proud of it. Right now, we are in the studio cutting my first original studio album since “Words”. It’s been so fun exploring a new sound. What we are doing now is different from anything I have ever done. I'm definitely super into 70s vibes right now, so maybe I should do a decades themed “Copy That II”. But not anytime soon. (laughs)
HULICK: Do you have a message for your fans coming out to see you December 16th?
EVANS: December 16th is the last night of the Christmas Tour, so my message to the fans is that they better bring the energy! I don’t get to play New York very often, so I always love getting back there and seeing the fans.
HULICK: Would it be alright if we talk Christmas for a few minutes since your show is on your Christmas tour?
EVANS: Absolutely! This will be fun!
HULICK: What is a favorite holiday memory you have as a child or an adult?
EVANS: I just love having my immediate family close to me (all the time) but especially during Christmas. I love making everyone feel welcome and cozy by cooking and smothering my kids with love.
HULICK: Do you have a traditional food that is a must-have for your family?
EVANS: I’m a down home cooking type of person. I grew up on a farm in Missouri and had 6 siblings. My mom would make us several home cooked meals every day, so I grew up learning how to make things like pot roast, fried chicken, etc. I don’t always eat like that, but for the holidays it’s fun to have those comfort foods and enjoy the meals together as a family.
HULICK: What was your favorite gift as a child?
EVANS: I got an Easy Bake Oven one year and was in heaven. I would imagine I was a cook and had my own restaurant.
HULICK: What is your favorite Christmas carol or Christmas song?
EVANS: This is a really tough question for me… I absolutely LOVE “O Holy Night” and the version that we do in the Christmas show. It starts out so quiet and intimate and really swells and gets HUGE in the chorus. It fills me with so much emotion and Christmas spirit each night. I would like to wish you and all your readers a very Merry Christmas!