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Sisters, Oregon
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Hal Ketchum performance a hit
By Jim Cornelius

The audience at Saturday's Sisters Starry Nights concert was treated to some of the best entertainment to be found anywhere -- all with an eye to supporting Sisters schools.

Hal Ketchum offered up a set of his powerful country tunes in an intimate setting that showcased his rich voice and the guitar playing of Bill Cooley and the intricate percussion of Chris Nieto.

Ketchum has enjoyed major chart success with songs such as "I Know Where Love Lives" and "Hearts Are Gonna Roll," "Five O'Clock World" and "Stay Forever."

He treated the crowd to those hits and a host of other songs, some freshly written.

Ketchum was joined on "She Is" by Sisters Elementary School students Kilen Multop, Noel Chen and Felicia Zandonatti.

The children's performance (which earned a heart-felt standing ovation) was an emblem of the purpose of Sisters Starry Nights. The fund-raising series has earned over $250,000 for the Sisters Schools Foundation, which has used the funds to support programs threatened by tight budgets.

"I think it's brilliant," Ketchum said of the concept of the fund-raising concerts. "With the state of public education in this country today, for people to take the bull by the horns and do something about it is brilliant."

Ketchum has known concert organizer Jeri Fouts for years through charity work in New Mexico and has long hoped to participate in the series.

Once here, Ketchum was enthralled with the beauty of the Sisters area.

"I don't have to tell you where you live," he told the audience. "I've been harassing real estate agents for a day and a half."

The show was opened by Maryellen Hooper, who produced teary eyes and sore ribs in the audience with a ribald and on-the-mark take on beauty, dating and home improvement.

The next concert in the Sisters Starry Nights concert series is a sold-out performance by Vince Gill and Amy Grant on February 16.

The fund-raising concert series is projected to bring in as much as $75,000 this year.

Sisters Starry Nights is the showcase event and major source of funds for the Sisters Schools Foundation.

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