NASHVILLE, TN (RCA) -
Sara Evans is going back to her roots with her highly anticipated fifth RCA Nashville album, Real Fine Place, being released on October 4th. As a follow-up to her 2003 platinum album Restless, Evans dug back into her traditional country background and worked on an album that is more country than past albums yet still maintains a contemporary edge. The title track and first single was the fastest rising single for Evans, spending five weeks in the Top 5 including two weeks at No 1 on both the Billboard and R&R charts.
Over the seven months Evans worked on the album, she submerged herself from start to finish creating an album that demonstrates her growth as a singer, songwriter and producer. Evans co-wrote six of the 13 tracks on Real Fine Place, hand picked the musicians and co-produced the project with Mark Bright. In addition to the tracks she wrote, which reflect small town themes and blue collar sonnets, Evans chose songs from songwriters including Radney Foster, George Ducas, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey, Lonestar's Richie McDonald, and Marcus Hummon, among others. To give the album a fresh sound, Evans turned to fellow artists and musicians she admires including Sheryl Crowe for the song she penned 'Roll Me Back In Time,' as well as, Seattle-based pop drummer Mark Chamberlain (The Wallflowers, Edie Brickell) and pop bassist David LaBruyere (John Mayer).
'This album really, really runs the gamut,' says Evans. 'There's everything on it and it was incredibly fun for me to make.'
The third of seven children from a musical family, Evans continues to stay true to her strong family values by making Real Fine Place a family affair. Her brother Matt Evans co-wrote two songs on the album, 'New Hometown' and 'These Four Walls,' and also assisted in the production. Evans' mother, father and sisters (Ashley and Lesley) all lent their vocal talents to various tracks throughout the CD.
'I think that it's just going to be really special, and it'll be something that we as a family can hold onto forever,' says Evans of her family's involvement with the album. 'And we're all very musical. We all sing and play instruments and so…I'm really lucky.'
Evans is nominated for two 2005 Country Music Association awards - 'Female Vocalist of the Year' and 'Musical Event of the Year' for her duet with Brad Paisley, 'New Again.' She received a similar nod this year from the Academy of Country Music for 'Top Female Vocalist' and was country's most-played female artist of 2004 with her No 1 hit, 'Suds In The Bucket.' National television appearances and critical acclaim set the stage for her selection as one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. Evans is currently touring with Brad Paisley on the CMT ON TOUR: BRAD PAISLEY TIME WELL WASTED 2005 concert series giving her an opportunity to play these new songs live. Several of the songs have been receiving standing ovations from audiences who are hearing the new music for the first time.
