Michael McDonald to kick off Starry Nights

Legendary singer Michael McDonald has been entertaining audiences with his own brand of "blue-eyed soul" for over three decades. The five-time Grammy winner will bring his soulful baritone and extensive catalog of hits to the Sisters High School stage when he kicks off the 12th season of the Sisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series on Saturday, February 21.

Tickets for the Michael McDonald concert are sold out, while concert organizers note that tickets are still available for Hal Ketchum's Starry Nights show on April 25.

McDonald, who last appeared at Starry Nights in 1998, is once again donating his time in support of the Sisters Schools Foundation. Accompanying himself on keyboards, he will be joined onstage by his longtime bandmate Bernie Chiaravalle on guitar and vocals with a special appearance by his wife, singer-songwriter Amy Holland, who recently released her critically acclaimed album "The Journey to Miracle River."

McDonald and Holland's son, Dylan McDonald, who is making his mark on the music scene with his Nashville-based rock band "Dylan McDonald and the Avians," will perform an opening set accompanied by Daniel DeMonico.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, McDonald first gained notice as a background singer and keyboard player on the classic albums of Steely Dan. He later joined The Doobie Brothers, and was the voice behind such hits as "Minute By Minute," "Takin' It To The Streets," and the 1980 Grammy winner for Song of the Year, "What A Fool Believes."

After leaving the band, his solo career includes such highlights as "Sweet Freedom," "I Keep Forgettin'" and the No. 1 hit "On My Own" with Patti LaBelle and the Grammy Award-winning "Yah Mo B There" with James Ingram.

Joining McDonald for a special performance during his Starry Nights concert are five singers from Sisters Elementary School: first graders Mariana Fernandez and Gracen Sundstrom; second grader Orry Abbenhuis; and fourth graders Keegan Greaney and Sabrina Reifschneider. Members of Sisters High School's award-winning band - seniors Alexa Orr, Kathleen Greaney, Jared Henderson and Sam Orwig will provide accompaniment. Eleventh-grade vocalist Hayley Valoppi will also be featured in a duet with McDonald.

Serving as Masters of Ceremonies will be Jared Henderson and Courtney Johnson, both seniors at Sisters High School.

Sisters Starry Nights began in 1997 and has featured concerts with artists who donate their time, including Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, Keb' Mo', Kenny Loggins, Rodney Crowell, Lee Ann Womack, Kathy Mattea, Karla Bonoff, Kim Carnes and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

In its first 11 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 Schools. Starry Nights is managed by an all-volunteer team comprised of parents, teachers and school district staff members, students and local citizens.

Renowned country singer-songwriter Hal Ketchum will be performing with his acoustic trio on April 25, with an opening set featuring Sisters High School Americana Project Performers in the round.

For general information, contact the Sisters School District at 549-8521 ext. 4007 or for ticket information, call Leavitt's at 549-6451.