The organizers of this spring's annual cystic fibrosis fundraising concert have announced the headliner for the event, country artist Sara Evans, a Missouri native and the first female performer to be scheduled in the concert’s 36-year history.
"We are excited to have Evans as the first female artist, and one of the all-time country greats," concert organizer and West Plains Cystic Fibrosis Chapter volunteer Rick Frazier. “She has been one of the top artists of the last 20 years and ranks fifth in all female country artists in radio play. She has won female artist of the year and just about every other country music award."
The concert will be held 7 p.m. March 16 at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. Tickets prices for adults are $30 in advance or $40 at the door, and $5 for children age 12 and younger, whether purchased in advance or at the door.
There are several ways to buy tickets: They may be paid for by credit card by calling the civic center at 417-256-8123, purchased online at Ticketmaster.com/Sara Evans, or by using a smartphone to scan a QR code on promotional posters. The code will take users to the Ticketmaster website.
Tickets will also be available to buy from businesses and individuals, such as West Plains area banks, including the Wood & Huston Bank in the West Plains Walmart, West Plains Savings and Loan, Simmons Bank in Mtn. View and Willow Springs and West Plains Bank and Trust Liberty Branch in Mtn. View and Willow Springs Branch.
Also selling tickets are West Plains Music, West Plains Walmart, K-Kountry 95 radio station in Thayer, and individuals Regina Voyles in Winona and Sarah Honeycutt in Cabool.
Proceeds raised will benefit research into cures and treatments for cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that causes a thickening and buildup of mucus in the lungs and digestive system. Treatments include medications and therapies that assist in thinning of the mucus and expelling it from the lungs, helping prevent infections and improve lung and digestive system function.
There is no cure, but research and advances in treatment have improved the quality and length of life for sufferers, who now have a life expectancy into at least their 30s and 40s, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The concert’s headline, Evans, is from Boonville, about 25 miles west of Columbia in central Missouri, and has been joined onstage by her brother and daughters. Her hits include "Suds In The Bucket," "Little Bit Stronger," "A Fine Place To Start" and "Born To Fly."
Her latest album, “Copy That,” is a 13-song compilation of covers spanning both country and pop genres, and is described on her official website as "a spotlight on songs that have served as the soundtrack for the American experience for the last six decades."
Evans is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, having been inducted in October 2023, and was a presenter at the 57th annual Country Music Awards in November 2023.
The always-family-friendly fundraiser event will begin with silent and live auctions of donated items, and tickets will be sold for a chance at winning a guitar signed by Evans and donated by Ozark Trading Post in Mtn. View.
The volunteer singing group Jessica's Friends will open for Evans. Call West Plains Cystic Fibrosis Chapter volunteer Lois Frazier, 417-256-5388, for details on performing with Jessica's Friends or donating auction items.
