Country star Sara Evans will bring her heartfelt songs and beautiful smile to Southern Illinois.

She will be performing Tuesday at the Du Quoin State Fair’s Colegate Country Showdown State Finals. The event has been named the Big Country “Salute to America.”

RCA recording artist Sara Evans was born in Boonville, Mo., and raised on a farm in Boonesboro, Mo. She arrived in Nashville in 1991 and waitressed at various restaurants to pay the bills, all the while writing songs. In 1992 she went to Oregon for three years before returning to Nashville and receiving a recording contract with RCA in 1995.

She received Country Music Award nominations in 2001for her album “Born to Fly,” including best video, single of the year, song of the year, female vocalist of the year and album of the year.