By Christian Scalise

“Sara Evans Charms Ribfest”

Country music sensation, RCA recording artist Sara Evans treated local Chicago area country music fans to an evening of fine music at Naperville’s annual Ribfest on Friday July 3rd, 2009. The packed outdoor concert was definitely the highlight of the holiday weekend festival!!

Sara began the show promptly at 8:30pm with the upbeat “Desperately” much to the excitement of the exuberant audience. Showing off a newly slim and trim figure, Sara looked astonishing in a shear blue sleeveless top with a pair of dark fitted denim jeans. She even trimmed her long locks and sported a chic haircut!!  

Rolling right into fan favorites “Perfect,” “A Real Fine Place To Start,” and “Born To Fly,” Sara had the audience singing along to every line.

Being a mother, wife, and country music star isn’t the easiest task on the planet, but clearly Sara seems able to successfully juggle the numerous titles. With her beautiful family watching in the wings, Sara playfully danced around onstage throughout the night often glancing over at them with a warm loving smile.

Not only did Sara have her husband (Jay Barker) and children at the show, her two sisters Ashley and Lesley sing backup while big brother Matt plays bass in the band. It’s great to see siblings together sharing what they love most… music!!

Slowing things down a bit, Sara and her sisters sat down on black stools center stage to perform a rousing cover of the haunting ballad “Jolene,” written and made famous by music superstar Dolly Parton. (What a treat and Dolly would be honored!!)

The show gave dedicated fans a sneak peek firsthand into the country songbirds forthcoming sixth studio album expected for release sometime in the latter part of this year.

New tunes “Anywhere,” delicate tearjerker “What That Drink Cost Me,” the lighthearted “Lovin’ You Is Easy To Do,” flirtatious “Desperately,” and debut single from the forthcoming album, “Feels Just Like A Love Song” seemed well taken by the audience. What better of a way to test your music than with the listeners themselves?!

I was thrilled to hear that Sara has either co-wrote or written the majority of the songs with her brother Matt for the new album. It’s great to see her evolve as an artist through her songwriting. I’m sure the new material will be a great success!!

Sara told the audience that she has built the theme of this album around love and her newly recent marriage to Jay. “I’ve fallen in love with this new music that I’ve been working on in the studio with my brother Matt and I think since he has been working on it for so long, now he’s falling in love with Jay.” (Sara was obviously joking about the last part! Ha-ha)

Bringing part of her family onstage, Sara’s stepdaughters introduced their favorite song, “Suds In The Bucket” to which the audience replied in immense applause.

Sara dedicated “I Could Not Ask For More” to all of her loving and loyal fan base before closing out the magical evening with “As If,” and a cover of Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me.”

The fabulous evening wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the gorgeous cool summer evening, Ribfest staff, Sara Evans, and her immensely talented band!! The show ended at 9:45pm

Full Set List:

1. Desperately

2. Perfect

3. A Real Fine Place To Start

4. Anywhere

5. Born To Fly

6. Jolene (Cover)

7. What That Drink Cost Me

8. I Keep Lookin’

9. Suds In The Bucket

10. Feels Just Like A Love Song

11. Lovin’ You Is Easy To Do

12. As If

13. I Could Not Ask For More

14. I Want You To Want Me (Cover)

Please enjoy pictures from the concert below. DO NOT take any images without prior consent. All images are copyrighted to CountryStarsCentral.com! Thank you for understanding.