Get to Know Sara Evans’ Husband, Jay Barker [Pictures]

By Victoria Haggerty
• - 11/15/24

Country music songstress Sara Evans didn't have to wait long for another chance at love. Meet Sara Evans' husband Jay Barker!

For country music star Sara Evans, giving love another chance with former University of Alabama football star Jay Barker really paid off!

In 2007, Evans went through an extremely public and messy divorce with first husband Craig Schelske after fourteen years of marriage. Their union produced three beautiful children, Avery Jack (1999), Olivia Margaret (2003), and Audrey Elizabeth (2004).

Thanks to Pastor Joe Beam, Sara was soon connected to Jay Barker, who was also a divorced dad with four children— Andrew (1999), Braxton (2000), and twins Sarah Ashlee and Harrison (2001). The two bonded over their shared experiences and got married on June 14, 2008 in Franklin, Tennessee.  Jay Barker was born July 20, 1972 and he celebrated his 52nd Birthday!

So who is the man who swept Sara off of her feet over a decade ago? The Trussville, Alabama native is best known for his college football quarterback career under head coach Gene Stallings. Barker led his team to a national championship by defeating the #1 Miami Hurricanes in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. Despite being drafted into the NFL by the Green Bay Packers, he never got the chance to play in a regular season game. After the NFL didn’t pan out, he played in the Canadian Football League and the short-lived XFL. A career-ending concussion concluded his professional football career. He is currently an analyst for ESPN Radio, and formerly an on-air personality for WJOX in Birmingham. Jay and Al Del Greco hosted the Opening Drive program on WJOX, along with Tony Kurre until 2018.

Check out photos of Sara, Jay, and their beautiful blended family of seven kids below!

Sara Evans and Jay Barker experienced a tumultuous relationship over the past few years. In August 2021, Evans filed for divorce after 13 years of marriage. Subsequently, in January 2022, Barker was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly attempting to hit a car Evans was in with his own vehicle.  Despite these challenges, the couple reconciled in early 2023. Sara Evans announced their reunion during the debut episode of her podcast, Diving in Deep with Sara Evans, in March 2024, stating, “We’re so happy now.”  Their reconciliation also influenced Evans’ music. She released the album Unbroke on June 7, 2024, her first collection of new material in seven years. The album chronicles the highs and lows of their relationship, with the lead single “Pride” detailing the early days of their turmoil.

Evans has acknowledged the complexities of their reconciliation.  She expressed hope that people would “give me the benefit of the doubt and give Jay the benefit of the doubt and just take me at my word that this is the right decision for me.”  As of December 2024, Evans and Barker continue to work on their relationship, focusing on healing and moving forward together.

What an awesome love story. Share this look at Sara Evans’ husband Jay Barker with other fans!

“I Could Not Ask For More” Lyrics

Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smile just to see the smile upon your face
These are the moments I thank God that I’m alive
And these are the moments I’ll remember all my life
I’ve found all I’ve waited for
And I could not ask for more
Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything in me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
And these are the moments
I know all I need is this
I’ve found all I’ve waited for, yeah
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
And every prayer has been answered
Every dream I’ve had’s come true
Yeah, right here in this moment
Is right where I’m meant to be
Here with you here with me
Yeah
These are the moments I thank God that I’m alive
And these are the moments I’ll remember all my life
I’ve found all I’ve waited for
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
And every prayer has been answered
Every dream I’ve had’s come true
Yeah, right here in this moment
Is right where I’m meant to be
Oh, here with you here with me
No, I could not ask for more
Than this love you gave me
Cause it’s all I’ve waited for
And I could not ask for more
No, yeah
No, I could not ask for more