Kenny Loggins rocks a full house in Sisters

(L.-r.): Erica Lowry, Savannah Higgins, Shawn Horton, Justin Erlandson and Mollie Boyle sang with Kenny Loggins and guitarist Chris Rodriguez. photo by Peggy Chesser

Kenny Loggins rocked the house at the Sisters Starry Nights Concert held in the new Sisters High School auditorium on Saturday evening, January 17.

Loggins' career spans over 30 years; 12 platinum albums; 14 gold albums; and numerous awards.

Loggins heard of Sisters Starry Nights through several of his band members who'd previously been to Starry Nights with Christopher Cross and he said "the band's been pestering me to do this gig for a year."

Loggins also said Jeri Fouts, whom he's known for 14 years, was instrumental in his coming.

The concert series has raised over $300,000 for school programs over six years.

Loggins told The Nugget he's done a number of benefit concerts in other schools and feels very strongly about music being vital to a well-rounded education.

"I do believe that music plays an important role in education," he said. "It's been proven scientifically that it plays an important role in the development of the mind. For me, the idea of eliminating the arts from education is counter-productive and somewhat absurd. So, I do what I can, as it appears everyone here does too, to do everything we can to keep music and the arts alive."

Loggins gave kudos to Fouts and her crew for the fine accommodations and treatment his family, band and crew received while in town.

"Jeri and her crew just make it so do-able," said Loggins. "They provided everything we could possibly need in order to come here and have a comfortable vacation for a few days. That's an incredible plus and the fact that the town supports that and comes out to help her make that happen -- that's why you have the 'names' coming here."

But what Loggins found most attractive about coming to perform at Starry Nights was the possibility of finally being able to bring his family to a place where they could spend a few days in the snow.

"Most ski resorts are at an altitude of 8,000 to 10,000 feet," said Loggins, "and high altitudes are very hard on my wife so my family has never experienced snow. When I found out this area was at an altitude that was livable for my wife I knew I wanted to make it happen."

As soon as they arrived Loggins said his family headed for the snow.

When Loggins took the stage Saturday night his first comments were about the auditorium.

"What a beautiful sweet little place you've got here," he said, then added wryly. "Your typical high school auditorium. It's a step up from every place I played last summer."

The audience was up on their feet with a standing ovation and enthusiastic applause at the conclusion of "Return to Pooh Corner" which Loggins performed with five students from the elementary school.

Kindergartner Savannah Higgins said, "It was fun to sing with Kenny Loggins. He's cool!"

After a lengthy standing ovation at the end of the concert Loggins and his band came back and performed "I'm Alright" and "Footloose."

After the show people stayed to mingle, share and talk about the evening.

Karrie McKay, who came over from Albany said, "He's still damned good and puts on a great show! He's got a whole range of music. It was just plain hard to stay in your seat. I couldn't sit down any longer. I had to stand up!"

Brad Tisdel, director of the Americana Project, said, "It's certainly the biggest rock production we've ever seen in Sisters, complete with fog lights and choreography. And the band was 'crack whip.' They were as pro as they can be and had such great dynamics. There were very tender parts of the song and then BAM the band would kick in..."

"As a songwriter Kenny totally sings from the heart and sings with conviction," said Brent Alan of Bend.

"He seems very introspective about the human condition and captures spiritual themes in his lyrics....and the fog was really cool."