Five-time Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’ is headlining the return of Sisters Starry Nights in April. The benefit concert has raised money for the Sisters School Foundation for decades. Jeri Fouts helped launch the fundraiser with other volunteers in 1997 to fill a void in school funding due to two voter approved state measures that limited property taxes for education, shifting school funding to the state general fund. At the time, Fouts had children in the Sisters school system and attended a meeting to come up with ideas to raise money.
“I listened to the various ideas which were kind of the typical ones like bingo and car washes and bake sales. And, in my mind, I had come up with a concept of a concert series because I knew I had these connections in the music industry and that they would enjoy coming out to Central Oregon. So, I proposed that idea. Everybody voted for it and then, all of a sudden, I realized I’m doing this,” Fouts chuckles. It was an idea that’s made about $1.5 million for the Sisters School Foundation over the years. Fouts spent a decade in public relations and event management, organizing celebrity fundraising events across the country. She and her husband, former San Diego Chargers quarterback and NFL commentator Dan Fouts, moved to Sisters in 1993.
Fouts hopes this year’s concert will bring in more than $100,000. In the past, money raised has been used to fund items like classroom smart boards, musical instruments, a pottery kiln, radios for the outdoor expedition program and an annual 4th grade field trip to the state capitol. Each fall, teachers from Sisters elementary, middle and high schools submit grant applications.
“Grants that are funded typically address curriculum needs that are outside the district-budgeted items or support programs that do not have a budget,” Foundation Treasurer Carrie Cohen told the Source. “For example, SSF helped to fund the creation of Outlaw Media at the high school. Outlaw Media has now grown from a club that helped with productions at the high school and photography at events, to an elective class with a full-blown news studio and game commentating.”
In addition, a portion of the funds raised each year is set aside in an endowment fund that will provide financial stability for Sisters students in the future. Starry Nights stopped in 2019 due to life events that consumed Fouts’ time and attention.
“Without Starry Nights over the past five years, SSF has relied on general donations received from community members and the endowment investment earnings,” Cohen says. “The return of Starry Nights will allow us to grow the endowment which in turn will increase our earnings that we can distribute.”
“It’s hard to believe that by the time our show happens in 2026, it will have been seven years. Time kind of went by fast!” Fouts exclaims. “We want to do something to support our local schools at a time when funding challenges are serious all over the country for public education. We feel very lucky that we can call upon a friend like Keb’ Mo.’”
Blues singer, guitarist and songwriter Keb’ Mo’ is up for a Grammy for his collaboration with Taj Mahal on the album, “Room on the Porch.” Winners will be announced on Feb. 1. He’s also on a solo tour throughout the U.S, fitting Starry Nights into his busy schedule on April 11 after a stop in Eugene the night before. He’s been described as a living link to the seminal Delta blues that traveled up the Mississippi River. An original band member gave him the nick name Keb’ Mo’ which was picked up by his record label as an abbreviation of his name, Kevin Moore.
He’s made Central Oregon a regular stop in years past, performing at the Tower Theatre, Sunriver and the Les Schwab Amphitheater (now Hayden Homes Amphitheater). This will be the third time he’s donated time to perform for Starry Nights with past concerts in 2008 and 2013.
The fundraiser will be held at Sisters High School with students performing in the lobby before the concert while guests enjoy appetizers made by students in the high school’s culinary arts program. There will also be a silent auction.
On stage, Nashville-based keyboardist Tim Lauer will open the show. He has a long list of credits including song producer on ABC’s “Big Sky” as well as executive music producer for the tv show, “Nashville,” and has played on major label records for artists including Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Lionel Richie, Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton, Keb’ Mo’ and many more. Lauer performed at the first Starry Nights benefit with Kim Carnes who’s best known for the 1981 smash hit, “Bette Davis Eyes.” Lauer has returned multiple times. Fouts credits him with helping spread the word which attracted musicians like Vince Gill and Amy Grant. In fact, the rolodex of past Starry Nights performers is impressive, including Lyle Lovett, Kenny Loggins, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Christopher Cross and more. This spring drummer Casney Wasner from the Keb’ Mo’ band will also share the stage. One of the traditional highlights of the evening is a song performed by the headliner with selected students who will audition and rehearse the chosen song for weeks.
Fouts credits sponsors for helping ensure money raised goes to the schools.
“I think we’re in times where we need to do things where we work together. We’re living at a time where a lot of people are polarized and apart, and this is an opportunity for us all to do something together and positive and uplifting and meaningful. And I think people are responding to that.”
Tickets go on sale at 10am, Thursday, Feb. 12. Fouts says, traditionally, they sell out quickly.
Starry Nights Concert
Sat. April 11
Sisters High School
1700 W McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters
Tickets on sale Thu Feb 12 @10am
sistersstarrynights.org/
$95+
This article appears in the Source January 29, 2026.
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