Starry Nights returns with Keb' Mo'

The Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series returns for its 15th season with a solo acoustic performance by Keb' Mo' when he appears at the Sisters High School Auditorium on Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m. The concert series is a benefit for the Sisters Schools Foundation, and has raised more than $1 million for Sisters schools since its inception in 1997 - a milestone which will be celebrated at the Keb' Mo' concert.

"Keb' Mo' last performed at Starry Nights in 2008, and his show remains a highlight of the series," said event co-founder Jeri Fouts. "Thanks to his tremendous generosity in once again donating his time, he will help us continue the tradition of great artists joining with our community to keep Sisters schools strong. We are thrilled to be able to welcome him and his music back to Sisters for this very special evening."

Born Kevin Moore in South Los Angeles to parents originally from the deep South, Mo's music is an expression of the artistic and cultural journey that has transformed the blues, and his own point of view, over time. His distinctive sound embraces multiple eras and genres, including pop, soul, folk and jazz as well as the singer-songwriter

movement.

Last year, Keb' Mo' was invited by President Obama to participate in a special blues performance in the East Room of the White House, which was taped for a PBS special "Red, White & Blues." In 2013, he received his sixth Grammy nomination for "The Reflection," the debut recording on his own Yolabelle International label.

He has appeared on recordings by artists of all genres including Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, India.Aire, Jackson Browne, Wynonna, Herbie Hancock, Vince Gill and Bonnie Raitt. His music has made numerous appearances in film and television, most notably in "Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Feel Like Going Home" and Scorcese's concert film "Lightning in a Bottle." He can be heard singing his original composition "I See Love" as the theme song for the hit CBS comedy "Mike & Molly."

Organized by volunteers, Starry Nights debuted in 1997 and has featured performances donated by Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Lyle Lovett, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Kathy Mattea, Rodney Crowell, Kim Carnes, John Hiatt, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lee Ann Womack, Gary Morris, Nicolette Larson, Karla Bonoff, On the Rocks and The High Street Band, among others. Starry Nights also produced a benefit performance of the play "Love Letters" starring Gregory Harrison and Linda Purl at the Tower Theatre.

With the Sisters School District cutting over $3 million from already thin budgets in the last four years, Starry Nights continues to provide support that helps keep vital programs alive. Starry Nights has funded programs including music, art, drama, science, sports, math, technology, foreign language, IEE, outdoor school and physical education, and has provided such key learning elements as state-of-the-art interactive SMART Boards in all classrooms at all three schools, as well as textbooks and library books.

Premier sponsors for the Keb' Mo' concert are Ray's Food Place, St. Charles Health System, Hawks Haven Reserve, Bi-Mart and FivePine Lodge and (Shibui) Spa. Providing additional support are The Nugget Newspaper, Clear 101.7 FM, Central Oregon Magazine, Bank of the Cascades, XPress Printing, Murray and Holt Motors, Cascade A&E and Gearbox.

Reserved tickets starting at $35 will be available at www.sistersstarrynights.org or at Clearwater Gallery in Sisters starting Monday, April 8. For more information, call 541-549-8521 ext. 4007.