Keb' Mo' to headline Starry Nights

The Sisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series returns for its 11th season with a performance by renowned contemporary blues artist Keb' Mo,' who will appear on Saturday, May 10, in the Sisters High School Auditorium.

Starry Nights organizers are confirming the series' second concert and will make that announcement in the coming weeks.

Three-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Keb' Mo' is one of the brightest stars in the music business today and a favorite of Central Oregon audiences. His distinctive sound embraces multiple eras and genres, including pop, rock, folk and jazz.

His style also reflects contemporary music's singer-songwriter movement, encompassing his longtime friends and collaborators Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne, as well as the spirit of blues godfather Robert Johnson.

Born Kevin Moore in Los Angeles to parents of Southern descent, he was exposed to gospel music at a young age. At 21, Moore joined an R&B band later hired for a tour by Papa John Creach and played on three of Creach's albums. Opening for jazz and rock artists such as The Mahavishnu, Jefferson Starship and Loggins & Messina helped broaden Moore's horizons and musical abilities.

In 1994, his debut release "Keb' Mo'" was embraced by the critics and public alike and named one of the five best blues albums of the 1990s by Rolling Stone; his second record, "Just Like You," won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

His third album, "Slow Down," also won a Grammy, cementing his reputation as a major creative force in contemporary blues. He won his third Grammy in 2005 for the album "Keep It Simple," and followed it up in 2006 with his most recent release, "Suitcase."

His many other career highlights include his performance on the PBS series "Sessions at West 54th Street," his work on "Austin City Limits," his performance with the legendary James Taylor for NPR's etown 15th anniversary concert in 2006 and his collaborations with artists including Lyle Lovett, Amy Grant, Buddy Guy, India.Arie and Cassandra Wilson.

Many local music lovers have enjoyed Keb' Mo's Bend performances at the Tower Theater, where he brought down the house in October, and at the Les Schwab Amphitheater, as part of his 40-city national tour with Bonnie Raitt in 2006.

"Starry Nights is so pleased to be bringing this phenomenal performer to the Sisters stage," said event co-chair Jeri Fouts. "We are working now to finalize details for our second show and will let the community know as soon as we get confirmation. We appreciate everyone's patience as we put the finishing touches on this year's series."

Sisters Starry Nights began in 1997 and has featured concerts with headline artists including Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Lyle Lovett, Lee Ann Womack, Kathy Mattea, Karla Bonoff, Hal Ketchum, Kim Carnes and John Hiatt.

In its first 10 years Starry Nights has raised more than $750,000 in net proceeds for the Sisters Schools Foundation and supported a wide variety of programs and activities at Sisters elementary, middle and high schools. The event is organized by a volunteer planning committee comprised of parents, students, school staff members and other community members.

Past sponsors will receive their proposals in January, while prospective new sponsors will be added to a waiting list. General admission tickets will later go on sale at Leavitt's in Sisters. For more information, contact Shirleen Cundiff at the Sisters School District at 549-8521.