Nashville’s Evans to perform at Lesher Center in Walnut Creek

By Lou Fancher

Arguments about the popularity of country music today dissolve — or never come up — at a Sara Evans concert.

The chart-topping Nashville-based singer, songwriter, record producer and author who in October will be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry has an intriguing backstory, a successful career of more than two decades, a poignant memoir, multiple country music awards, her own record label and has sold more than six million albums.

Evans is coming Sept. 22 to Walnut Creek’s downtown Lesher Center for the Arts to headline the two-day “Women of Country Music Festival” (bit.ly/48drDNp). The second night offers a free line dancing workshop with Gabby Tenney, followed by “An Evening with Valerie Ponzio and Miko Marks,” featuring the two top young vocalists and Latin sounds blended with country music traditions.

Evans in 2020 released “Copy That,” her first solo studio album since 2017. It stacked the deck with songs collected from multiple decades of American music. Among the songs are Stevie Nicks’ and Kenny Loggins’ “Whenever I Call You Friend;” Patsy Cline’s “She’s Got You;” Hank Williams Sr.’s standard “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry;” and covers of Dexys Midnight Runners’ “Come On Eileen” and The Knack’s “My Sharona.”

With five songs in her portfolio that have climbed to the number-one spot on the Billboard country songs chart, Evans is most heralded for her versatile, stellar vocals on songs such as “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Suds in the Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place to Start” and “Perfect.” Having at times during long road tours overextended her irreplaceable voice and worked through mental health challenges, Evans recently participated in an interview.

“I’ve really put a focus on my mental health over the past year or so,” Evans said. “Not only coming out of COVID but just realizing that taking care of your mind and soul is important.

“As a mother, sister, friend, etc., if I’m not taking care of myself, how can I take care of the others I love? I’m glad that the stigma of mental health is changing and people are talking more about it and realizing that it’s OK to ask for help.”

Evans’ “Copy That” album was released amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and Evans had huge plans for 2020 that ultimately weren’t possible.

“We came up with this great idea to start a weekly series called “Closet Chaos,” where my daughter, Olivia, and I went live on my Instagram and interviewed special guests like Martina McBride, Carly Pearce, Gary Levox, Leslie Jordan and more. I really missed touring and missed my fans, and this was a way to stay connected to them.”

Her three adult children are all musicians: Olivia is a backup singer who tours with Evans, and Evans son, Avery, is a touring guitar player. She says the family is “constantly consumed with music” and that she jumps at unexpected opportunities.

“For recording, I like to find the craziest harmonies and make the vocals as interesting as possible,” Evans said. “We recreate that in the live show.

“In addition to Olivia, we also have Jazz Davis doing background vocals, and they have done the best job. A lot of artists start to lower the keys of their songs as their voice changes over time, but I’m the anomaly that has been raising the keys on my songs.”

The setlist for the Lesher concert (bit.ly/3RlvBgQ) is signature Evans: a switched up collection of songs planned with Musical Director Ben Thomson that ensures fans can return and expect a new show every time.

“Right now, we’re doing super-fun and unexpected covers from the ’80s, songs from all over my catalogue and, of course, the hits. My band is amazing and adapts so well. My daughter, Olivia, had this idea to change up the intro to “Suds In The Bucket,” and it’s fun and one of my favorite parts of the show.”

Evans as a country singer attracts a lot of attention for her voice, but she is also a sensitive, collaborative songwriter.

“I love writing and producing my own songs. I have written with some of the best writers in Nashville and beyond and love to write with my favorites but also shake it up and bring in new amazing talents who I haven’t worked with before. For my next album that we’re recording in October, I’ve actually been writing for over a year.

“When I’m in ‘album mode,’ I block off a few weeks to focus on the creating of the album — everything from production to the creative direction, artwork, etc. So much goes into it. Being a woman, especially in the country sphere, is not easy, but it is definitely worth it.”

Evans says she is aware that pandemic lockdowns brought a lot of life changes not just to her but to everyone and caused most people to slow down and that the decelerated pace allowed her to explore a vulnerability in her lyrics that was new and deeper.

It also provided space for her to reflect on family life and choices she was making in her career about interacting with audiences and communities, she says.

“I have a huge faith and try to let that guide me in all aspects of my life. Second only to my faith, is my family. Their love sustains me, and I’m so lucky to have an amazing relationship with all three of my kids. We’ve been through a lot together and share a bond that is precious to me.

“My faith guides my career because I never want to do something or release something that doesn’t feel truly authentic to me. I think I rely on my faith and that connection to help with decisions. I also respect the opinions of my children, because they are so talented themselves. They have great judgement and ideas.”

Having revealed in her songs and traced in her memoir, “Love Lifted Me,” the path she has taken through a devastating childhood injury, her parents’ divorce, becoming a mother, her own divorce and other life joys and traumas, one could assume little is left to learn about Evans and taht she has no future summits to climb. That would be wrong, though.
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“People don’t know I’m a good drummer,” Evans says. “My brother, Matt, was my band leader for years and would never let me play drums in the show. I’m determined I’ll make it happen one day.”