The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Fans were seated and anxious whispers hushed as the lights to the Sisters High School Auditorium dimmed and Dylan McDonald took the stage.

Opening for his father, and for the 12th Annual Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series on Saturday night at Sisters High School auditorium, Dylan McDonald and his bandmate Daniel DeMonico immediately won over their audience.

Starry Nights is an Annual Benefit Concert Series for the Sisters Schools Foundation. All proceeds from the night's events, including tickets, CD sales and a variety of signed merchandise went directly to benefit the school district.

"It's a great, great fundraiser. This whole show has really promoted the Sisters School District," said Joan Scannell, a Sisters Schools Foundation board member.

For 12 years, Starry Nights, headed by Susan Arends and Jeri Fouts, has brought the brilliant voices of renowned artists to the small town of Sisters. These musicians not only 'wow' us with their talent year after year, they generously donate their time and effort to help a promising school district they believe in.

When Dylan McDonald completed his set, eager audience members adjourned to the Sisters High School Commons for CDs, refreshments and the cheerful camaraderie of fellow community members and McDonald fans.

Excitement was obvious as audience members filed back into the auditorium and the hushed chatter again dimmed with the lights. The stage came to life as Michael McDonald was introduced. The audience seemed amazed that such a famous and accomplished artist was about to perform right before them.

"Sisters is a beautiful city and a great place to come. It's a spreading enthusiasm for keeping the arts in perspective. It's a great movement," McDonald told The Nugget just moments before the show.

McDonald grew up around music.

"Even as a kid, I knew this is what I wanted to do," he said.

With a wide range of honors, Michael McDonald has won numerous Grammys, charmed audiences all across the world and been a part of what he calls a "great brotherhood;" the well-known and well-loved Doobie Brothers.

"I'm glad I got the chance to enjoy that, or anything like that in my life," McDonald said.

What he considers some of his greatest career highlights are not necessarily his many celebrity events, but more so the touching moments and monumental opportunities he's been presented with: "jamming" with his son Dylan, as well as working with one of his childhood favorites, Ray Charles, are experiences that he holds closest to his heart.

"From the time I was 11, he (Ray Charles) was soul music to me," said McDonald.

McDonald, like all Starry Nights artists, traveled to Sisters to help Sisters schools for no fee.

"It's our responsibility to keep the arts alive in our school and community," McDonald told the audience.

As his hands danced across the piano, his rich voice filled the auditorium and the hearts of the people in it. Although they were rather star struck, it wasn't the community members McDonald impacted the most; he made dreams come true as Sisters students joined him on the twinkling stage.

McDonald performed with a group of talented Sisters elementary school students, including Mariana Fernandez, Grace Sundstrom, Orry Abbenhuis, Keegan Greaney and Sabrina Reifschneider.

Later in the show, he was joined onstage by Sisters High School sophomore Hayley Valoppi for a beautiful rendition of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

"I'm so excited. I sang with Lyle Lovett for a Starry Nights performance, and to be doing something like this again is really cool," said Valoppi.

Other high school students who joined McDonald under the lights were Kathleen Greaney on the flute, Alexa Orr on Saxophone, Jared Henderson on the base and Sam Orwig on drums.

"It was really inspiring to meet someone so famous that is so humble and so encouraging to younger musicians," said Henderson, who was also an emcee for the evening's show along with Courtney Johnson.

When asked to offer advice to the young, aspiring musicians in our community, McDonald recommended "taking every opportunity you are presented with."

He says that "keeping your eyes and ears open is key and that never clinging tightly to your plans" is crucial.

"I've had terrible jobs along the way, but I have learned something from everything I've done," McDonald said.

The show continued as Amy Holland, McDonald's talented wife, accompanied him, along with Bernie Chiaravalle, who's been singing with McDonald since 1988. The playful banter between McDonald and Holland combined with his humor and connection to his audience, made this show unique.

McDonald connected with audience members, keeping them laughing and smiling not only through his music, but through his fun-loving personality.

"I loved it. I heard all the old songs I wanted to hear; he hit all my favorites," said Sisters resident Jane Burkholder.