Sara Evans to Spend Special Day Helping Alabama Rise Again

Sara Evans took part in the CMT Tornado Relief Concert in May to help raise money for the victims of the destructive tornadoes that ravaged the southeast, and this week, she will participate in the sold-out 'BAMA RISING: A Benefit Concert for Alabama Tornado Recovery' to assist in recovery efforts of her adopted state.

"I'm so proud of country music for coming together and doing this benefit concert, because everybody's donating their time," Sara tells The Boot. "That's a really busy time of year for everybody, and it just warms my heart that this is taking place."

She and her husband, legendary Alabama quarterback-turned-radio sports host Jay Barker, will both take part in the event, which takes place Tuesday, June 14 -- the date of their wedding anniversary. "Jay and I are both saying we can't think of a better way to spend our anniversary than to be helping out the people of Alabama," Sara says with a smile.

The two took time to check out parts of the state that were destroyed, and the Missouri native is distraught over witnessing all of the tragedy of both Alabama and her home state.

"It's just been so sad and devastating, and I don't think anybody really knows how to handle it emotionally," Sara explains. "Jay and I went to visit a little town called Concord, and it was heart-stopping. I grew up in Missouri, and now Joplin, Mo., has been hit so hard. It's been a really tough year for so many people."

"Me and my children every single night before I put them to bed, ah, it makes me sad," a visibly Sara says, tearing up. "We pray for them, because it's horrible. It's horrible."

Supergroup Alabama organized the concert taking place at Birmingham's BJCC Arena, with all proceeds going to help victims of the April 27 tornadoes that killed more than 300 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the state. In addition to Sara's and Alabama's performances, the show will also feature Rodney Atkins, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, David Nail, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker and Alabama natives Ashton Shepherd, Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks.

Money raised from the June 14 show will go to the newly-formed Bama Rising Fund, which supports long-term recovery in the state. Fees for corporate sponsorships will also go to help storm victims.

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