Tuesday, August 19: The day we've all been restless in anticipation
of. And now the wait has finally ended, as "Restless" -- Sara's
first project since her nearly double-platinum selling "Born to Fly"
album was released almost three full years ago -- has now arrived in
your favorite music store.

For those of us whose "debut day" arrived in the form of a
promotional copy last month, we have had the chance to look ahead and
preview the music which will soon rock the country music world. Yet,
it was still a very meaningful experience for me to purchase the
official CD today, on the first day it was made available to the
public. Having not discovered Sara until after the release of Born
to Fly, I have never had the privilege of celebrating one of Sara's
Release Dates, so this is an especially joyous occasion for me.

Although Sara doesn't need to "win me over again" with her music, I
must say that if the Restless album was her first and only CD, I
would be searching for every piece of information I could find on her
right now, just as I did when I heard "Born to Fly" for the first
time on the radio (& the rest is history). Like BTF, Sara once again
uses producer Paul Worley and the drummer the USA Today refers to
as "Evans' secret weapon" -- Matt Chamberlain. However, it rises
above even BTF in that it showcases new styles for Sara, transcending
genres or labels. Overall, it's just more mature, and as Sara puts
it, "is a lot deeper lyrically and more challenging vocally."

Sara has proven herself as country's top artist yet again, and I
believe that as this album makes its way into people's homes, there
will be an influx of new "converts" who are eager to learn as much as
possible about Sara Evans. (And that's where sara-online.net comes
in).

In addition to sales and new fans, the new album should also make
Sara more in-demand on the concert trail. For the past few months,
I've been very encouraged by what I have read about concert
experiences on the Restless Tour. It's apparent that a concerted
effort is being made at each Meet & Greet to acknowledge the efforts
of the Fan Club members, with refreshments and often personal
attention by Kaelin, Matt, and even some of the other members of the
band or Sara's family. And, I LOVE the "family moments" Sara makes
time for on stage, introducing Avery & Olivia at every show, with
Craig usually hanging out in the Meet & Greet area, sometimes taking
photos himself. Hopefully this will make everyone even more enthused
about attending a show!

Since last month's update, Sara and crew have been logging some
serious mileage in an attempt to promote the release of the new
album, with an appearance practically every night at fairs, rodeos,
racetracks, and casinos. The tour has officially been called "The
Restless Tour", and many of the Saints & Angels have already had the
opportunity to see this Summer's show. A typical setlist includes

- "Feel It Comin' On"
- "I Keep Looking"
- "Rocking Horse"
- "Saints & Angels"
- "No Place That Far"
- "To Be Happy"
- "Niagara" (The song Sara said she'd never be able to sing live)
- "Take It On the Run" (REO Speedwagon Cover)
- "Backseat of a Greyhound Bus"
- "Perfect"
- "We Got the Beat" (Go Go's Cover)
- "I Could Not Ask For More"
- "Long Train Runnin'" (Doobie Bros. Cover)
- "Born to Fly" (as an encore after momentarily leaving the stage)

Sara has also been inviting fans to walk up to the stage during her
finale, and somehow managing to sing "Born to Fly" while giving
handshakes, signing autographs, and posing for snapshots. Needless
to say, Sara is in rare form each and every night, and longtime fans
continue to report that she sounds better right now than ever
before! Be sure to read some of the latest reviews left by your
peers, preserved for years to come in the Fan Reviews section of sara-
online.net. Also, put the names with the faces by viewing the Fans
gallery of the photo page -- currently displaying 54 of your smiling
faces alongside Sara (with new submissions always welcome).

And, speaking of pictures, check out the photos section of this Yahoo
group. Just visit the Saints & Angels group home...

"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saints_angels/"

...then click on photos. All that is required to view the photos is
your Yahoo ID and password. You'll see several of the projects that
the S&A have been involved with as of late: most notably, the plaque
presentation to both Sara and Kaelin in Jacksonville, FL on July 4.

Finally, while you are checking out websites, always be sure to visit
Sara's official website, "www.saraevans.com". Craig Dunn has done a
fantastic job of revamping the page, just in time for Tuesday's
arrival of the new album. The site now features the new images from
the "Restless" photo shoot, as well as reflecting many of the
suggestions offered by the Saints & Angels, particularly in relation
to the Fan Club. Between being able to get the song descriptions,
audio clips, and biography on the official site; in addition to all
the lyrics, photos, links, & fan reviews on sara-online.net; and on
top of all that, the life story of Sara as presented recently by
CMT's Inside Fame, Sara Evans is starting to have the most informed
fans of any artist!

Until next month, when "Restless" will hopefully have already reached
Gold status, let the sales be many, and let the music world be
introduced to Sara's best project to date!

-Chuck