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Sara Evans Discusses Reuniting with Husband Jay Barker, Writing an Album About Their Troubled Relationship: ‘The Story Is Mine to Tell’

Sara Evans discusses her upcoming album 'Unbroke,' inspired by her troubled and once-abusive relationship with husband Jay Barker.

1 Country Airplay hits, including both light-hearted love songs such as 2005’s “Real Fine Place to Start” and empowering ballads such as 2010’s “A Little Bit Stronger.” But her new music is a rawer representation of that debut album title’s mission (and songwriter Harlan Howard’s oft quoted definition of country music), as she excavates some of the darkest moments — including verbal and physical abuse — in her marriage to former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker. When Barker returned to the location later, police were still there and he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (for nearly hitting the car Evans was in) and released after posting a $10,000 bond. During that time, Evans had already been writing for a new project, focusing on songs steeped in traditional country lyricism about relationships — like those made famous by Tammy Wynette and George Jones.

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