Starry Nights announces concert series line-up

The Sisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series returns for its ninth season with a pair of shows.

Lyle Lovett will kick off the series on either Saturday, February 25 or Saturday, March 4. Lovett, whose 20-year career has led to 12 albums, four Grammys, widespread critical praise and a fiercely loyal fan base, is currently finalizing the date of his performance.

“We’re sorry it’s taken longer than usual to announce our line-up, but it’s definitely been worth the wait,” said Starry Nights Co-Chair Susan Arends. “Lyle’s schedule in 2006 is already starting to get busy and he’s been trying to find out when he would have an opening for Starry Nights. We will announce the final date in the next week so everyone can mark their calendars.”

With his eclectic array of musical influences drawing from country, folk, big-band swing, jazz, blues and traditional pop, Lovett has established himself as a truly one-of-a-kind artist. He has made two summer appearances with his Large Band at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. Sisters Starry Nights fans will have the opportunity to see Lovett in a more intimate, acoustic format joined by a quartet of his long-time band members.

“Lyle approached my husband Dan and me after his Bend concert in June and told us he was interested in performing at Starry Nights,” said Fouts. “He had heard about the event and our community from John Hiatt and offered to headline one of our 2006 shows. Needless to say, we were thrilled that he wanted to participate and were so impressed with his generous spirit — he told us that Oregon has always been good to him and that he was really glad to be able to ‘do something good in Oregon.’”

Closing the series are two artists who delighted the Sisters crowds during their Starry Nights debuts and left local audiences wanting more. On Saturday, April 22, Starry Nights will present a double bill featuring prolific singer-songwriter Leslie Satcher and rising duo Hanna-McEuen.

Satcher performed with Vince Gill and Amy Grant at Starry Nights 2002. Satcher fell in love with Sisters during that visit and has returned several times to vacation and work with students in the music programs at Sisters schools.

Known for years around Nashville as one of the best writers in country music, she has penned songs for George Strait, Willie Nelson, Gretchen Wilson, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood and Lee Ann Womack, among others. In 2001, she released her debut CD “Love Letters” to rave reviews. She has recently released her second CD, entitled “Creation.”

Hanna-McEuen made a big splash at the event last year when they opened for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. With their unique musical pedigree — Jaime Hanna and Jonathan McEuen are the sons of Dirt Band veterans Jeff Hanna and John McEuen and their mothers are identical twins — Hanna-McEuen has dazzled fans and critics alike.

The duo has been touring the country since last summer in support of their self-titled CD, called the best debut album of the year by Music Row Magazine and Performing Songwriter. Since their visit to Sisters last spring, they have opened for Dwight Yoakam, Big & Rich, Dierks Bentley and Gary Allan and performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Grand Ole Opry and Austin City Limits.

Hanna-McEuen will be joined in Sisters by their band, featuring two more second generation musicians — bass player Teddy Jack Russell, son of singer-songwriter Leon Russell, and drummer Jesse Siebenberg, son of Supertramp drummer Bob Siebenberg.

Sisters Starry Nights has earned over $500,000 in net proceeds for the Sisters Schools Foundation since the event’s inception in 1997 and organizers hope to add another $75,000 after this year’s series.

Headliners donate their time for Starry Nights, which provides funding for programs and activities at Sisters Elementary, Middle and High Schools. The theater will feature a reserved sponsor section and general admission section.

Sponsorship proposals will be mailed to past sponsors by December 15, according to Sponsorship Chairman Novella Swisher. Those interested in becoming new sponsors should contact Swisher at 549-8018 or by e-mail at [email protected] General admission tickets will go on sale on Saturday, January 21, at Leavitt’s in Sisters.

For more information on Starry Nights, contact Shirleen Cundiff at the Sisters School District office at 549-8521.