Surgery knocks Hiatt out of concert

Singer-songwriter John Hiatt, scheduled to perform at the April 3 Sisters Starry Nights Concert, has been forced to cancel.

Hiatt must undergo surgery to remove a cyst that has developed in his throat. The cyst is not life threatening and will not cause him to permanently lose his voice. The surgery and recovery required to correct the condition will prevent Hiatt from speaking for some weeks. He is expected to recover fully in three months.

All of Hiatt's other spring tour dates are canceled in addition to his planned trip to Sisters.

General admission tickets to the Sisters Starry Nights Hiatt performance can be refunded.

"John was looking forward to the show and visiting Central Oregon with his family, and is disappointed he has to cancel," said Starry Nights co-chair Jeri Fouts. "The good news is that he has already made a commitment to headline our March show during next year's concert series."

Pop singer Michael McDonald will move into the headliner's spot for the April 3 show. McDonald's work as lead singer for The Doobie Brothers and as a solo artist has made him one of the music industry's most respected artists.

Also performing is award-winning artist Matraca Berg. Berg, whose credits include writing the Deana Carter smash "Strawberry Wine" and Trisha Yearwood's "Lying To The Moon," received rave reviews for her "Sunday Morning To Saturday Night" CD last year.

Providing back-up and harmonies is a stellar cast of Nashville talent, including Jeff Hanna, founder of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (and husband of Matraca Berg) and Starry Nights veteran Kim Carnes. Stand-up comic Kevin Meaney will open the show. He has headlined comedy clubs across the country and made appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night With David Letterman" and "Saturday Night Live."

General admission ticket holders to the April 3 show can get a refund by mailing their tickets to: The Sisters Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 2155, Sisters, OR 97759, Attention: John Hiatt Refund. A self-addressed stamped envelope and the name of the person to whom the refund check should be made must be included.

In its first three years, the Sisters Starry Nights Concert Series has raised more than $100,000 to support programs and activities at Sisters schools.