Sarah Johns herself will tell you she's a "traditional kinda girl." For her debut CD, Big Love in a Small Town, the country-music newcomer didn't want too much pop polish applied to her sound.
"Honey, I love Hank Williams, music like that - real country music," says the native Kentuckian. "If it was up to me, I would've put fiddles and steel all over [the album]. It would've been nothing but shuffles."
In concert Sarah Johns and George Strait perform at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., at 7:30 Friday night. Tickets are $56.50-$66.50. Call 410-547-7328 or go to ticketmaster.com.
Sarah Johns
Born:
Pollard, Ky., and raised in a strict, religious household
Age:
27
Debut album:
Big Love in a Small Town, released Aug. 28
Career:
Attended University of Kentucky before moving to Nashville, Tenn., where she got a job cleaning tour buses. Was offered a chance to perform with Toby Keith and landed a deal with BNA Records to record Big Love. Now on tour opening for George Strait.