Starry Nights tickets go on sale December 13

Tickets for the 12th annual Sisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series go on sale Saturday, December 13, at 9 a.m. at Leavitt's in Sisters.

This year's series will feature five-time Grammy winner Michael McDonald on Saturday, February 21, and renowned country music singer and songwriter Hal Ketchum on Saturday, April 25.

In Starry Nights tradition, the performers are donating their time for the series, which is a benefit for the Sisters Schools Foundation.

Shows are held in the Sisters High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. Reserved general admission tickets will be available for both shows, priced at $35 and $50. Tickets may be purchased with cash, check (made payable to the Sisters Schools Foundation), Visa or MasterCard.

Sponsorship packages offering premium seating, invitation to concert post-parties with the artists and other benefits are also available. For more information, contact Sponsorship Chair Novella Swisher at [email protected]

"As the state continues to cut funding for public education and with the recent failure of the local option, Starry Nights can still make a difference for our schools," said Susan Arends, Starry Nights Co-Chair and Sisters Schools Foundation Board Member. "Becoming a Starry Nights sponsor or buying concert tickets is a great way to support the schools while enjoying the music of these sensational artists. We are opening up our sales early this year because Starry Nights tickets make a great holiday gift!"

Michael McDonald is one of the most recognizable artists of the past three decades, beginning with his years as lead singer of the Doobie Brothers and continuing through today with his celebrated solo career. His husky, powerful baritone and unique blend of rock, adult contemporary and soul, have made him a legend in the music business and a favorite of fans worldwide.

His hits include such radio standards as "What a Fool Believes," "This is It," "Takin' It to the Streets," "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)," "Sweet Freedom," "Yah Mo B There" and his more recent covers of such Motown classics "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I Heard It Through The Grapevine."

Singer-songwriter Hal Ketchum is among the most versatile of contemporary country recording artists. His heart-felt lyrics, distinctive voice and dynamic live performances endear him to fans of rock, folk and country alike.

With the 1991 release of his breakthrough album "Past the Point of Rescue" and its chart-topping single "Small Town Saturday Night," Ketchum earned the acclaim from fans and critics. With such songs as "Five O'Clock World," "I Miss My Mary" and "I Know Where Love Lives," the album was quickly deemed a classic and today VH-1 calls it "nearly perfect." Since that auspicious debut, Hal's subsequent albums produced hit after hit, including "Sure Love," "Hearts Are Gonna Roll," "Stay Forever" and "She Is."

Sisters Starry Nights began in 1997 and has featured concerts with such artists as Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Kenny Loggins, Lyle Lovett, Keb' Mo', Rodney Crowell, Lee Ann Womack, Kathy Mattea, Karla Bonoff, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kim Carnes, Suzy Bogguss and John Hiatt.

In its first eleven years, Starry Nights has raised more than $840,000 in net proceeds for the Sisters Schools Foundation and supported a wide variety of programs and activities at Sisters Elementary, Middle and High School.

The event is sponsored by a number of local businesses and community members, led by Ray's Food Place and Taylor Northwest as Title Sponsors, and Bank of the Cascades as Presenting Sponsor.

For more information, contact the Sisters Schools Foundation at 549-8521 extension 4007.