Missouri native Sara Evans, the Academy of Country Music’s Top Female Vocalist of 2006, is the guest artist for the annual Spring Concert sponsored by Missouri Western State University’s Western Activities Council.

The concert is Thursday, April 12 in the St. Joseph Civic Arena. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Kansas City band Shootin’ Blanks will open the show at 8 p.m.

All Western students can receive one free ticket with their student ID in the Center for Student Engagement, Blum 207, starting Feb. 14. Students will also have to show their IDs at the door the night of the concert. All other tickets are $27 and will be available through Ticketmaster, starting on Feb. 21.

Sara Evans started out singing in her family’s band as a child in New Franklin, Mo. Several of her singles have hit No. 1 on the country charts, including “Born to Fly,” “No Place That Far,” “Suds in the Bucket” and “A Real Fine Place to Start.” She was recently nominated for the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards Top Female Vocalist. She was previously nominated for that award three times, winning in 2006.