Carnes brings Nashville stars to Sisters

Suzy Bogguss. photo provided

Singer and songwriter Kim Carnes makes her return to Starry Nights on Saturday, March 13, for the sold-out second installment of the 2004 benefit concert series.

Joining her this year are Starry Nights veteran Greg Barnhill and two acclaimed country music stars new to the Sisters stage -- Suzy Bogguss and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. The four artists will perform in a Nashville-style singer-songwriter round, where each takes turns showcasing his or her own material, with all-star backup from the others in the circle.

Doors to the lobby will open at 5:30 p.m., where the concession area will offer light dinner selections. The theater will open at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m.

In a career spanning more than 30 years, Carnes' credits include the classic number one smash "Bette Davis Eyes," which topped U.S. charts for nine weeks. After moving to Nashville in 1994, Carnes plunged into the city's creative stream, both as a singer and a songwriter for such artists as Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire and Vince Gill.

Carnes is now putting the finishing touches on a long-awaited album of new original material, due for release this summer.

Starry Nights fans will have a chance to purchase a special limited edition advance copy at Saturday's show, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Sisters Schools Foundation.

Suzy Bogguss is a former CMA Horizon Award winner with such hits as "Drive South," "Aces," "Letting Go" and "Hey Cinderella" to her credit. Her career highlights include her duet album with the late guitar legend Chet Atkins, "Simpatico;" her recent holiday album, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas;" and last year's release of her critically acclaimed pop-jazz album, "Swing."

Carolyn Dawn Johnson is one of Nashville's brightest new stars, whose 2001 debut album, "Room With a View," led to a string of awards, accolades and high profile tours. A native of Alberta, Canada, she has won eight Canadian Country Music Awards and a Juno Award (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) for Best Country Artist.

She was also the Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist in 2002 and Favorite New Country artist at the 2003 American Music Awards.

Starry Nights fans have been impressed by singer-songwriter Greg Barnhill, both for his on-stage talents and his efforts working with area students during his visits to Sisters schools.

Known as one of Nashville's top songwriters, his best-known works include the John Berry number-one hit "She's Taken a Shine," Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley's Grammy-nominated smash "Walkaway Joe," and Amy Grant and Vince Gill's crossover sensation "House of Love."

Greg recently released his second album, "No Chaser."

"We are grateful to our friends from Nashville for making the journey here and so generously giving their time to support the Sisters schools," said Susan Arends, Starry Nights co-chair. "Kim's shows are always special and the audience is in for a fun evening!"

The foursome will be accompanied by three other veterans of past Starry Nights shows: Tim Lauer on keyboards, Billy Panda on guitar and mandolin, and Dave Ellingson on percussion and vocals.

Funds raised by the Starry Nights series go to the Sisters Schools Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps support programs and activities threatened by budget cuts at Sisters schools.

In its first six years, Starry Nights has raised more than $330,000 in net proceeds for the schools.

For more information, contact the Sisters School District at 549-8521.