Yep, Kiefer Sutherland's coming Sunday to the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center for a sold-out appearance.

I know what you're thinking: Why is this happening?

Well, because he wants to sing for you. Y'see, last year, Sutherland released "Down in a Hole," a heartfelt and more-than-competitive debut album containing 11 country/roots tunes he co-wrote with producer/pal Jude Cole.

Often, the impulse, on learning that yet another actor has decided to become a music star, is to slice your ears off. "Please! No more Keanu-ness!" But it wouldn't be fair to dismiss "Down in a Hole" without giving it a listen. Sutherland's weary, nicotine-savaged voice shows real emotion, and "I'll Do Anything," "Calling Out Your Name" and "Gonna Die" are some pretty fine tunes. I suspect that all the folks who bought enough copies of this album that it hit #33 on Billboard's U.S. Country charts are glad they did so — well beyond just the curiosity or memorabilia quotients.

It's also fair to suggest that Sutherland can presumably afford to pay a great backing band — which includes guitarist/vocalist Michael Gurley, one of the three members of dada, THE great overlooked American power-pop trio.

Kiefer Sutherland, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook; sold out; thekate.org.