Elton John Rocks the House at the Andy Roddick Charity Benefit

Elton John Rocks the House at the Andy Roddick Charity Benefit

AUSTIN, Texas, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Four Seasons Hotel -- Music superstar, Elton John, performed to a sold out crowd as tennis superstar, Andy Roddick hosted the 2005 "Champions for Charity" Gala and Auction that was held on Tuesday, April 26th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin.

David Kiernan, from Pure Energy of South Florida, was the MC and auctioneer for the evening. Andy Roddick and Elton John jumped in to help raise the bids for a record live auction totaling nearly $300,000 alone. The evening's festivities included cocktails, an intimate dinner and auction, and a solo performance by Sir Elton John that was held in the Four Seasons Ballroom for just 400 guests and billed as the "hottest ticket in Texas." Elton rocked the house and had the audience on its feet and dancing in the isles as he sang many of his top hits including, "Daniel, Rocket Man, Philadelphia Freedom and Tiny Dancer." He dedicated a special country tune, "He'll Have to Go," in honor of country singer, Pam Tillis who was in attendance. Elton ended the evening with his signature classic "Candle in the Wind" as the audience waved candles in an emotional tribute to him and the spectacular performance that was simply overwhelming.

The event raised $800,000 exceeding all expectations by The Andy Roddick Foundation. Proceeds will benefit local children in need including The Settlement House, Austin Children's Hospital and A Glimmer of Hope Foundation.

Sponsorships sold from $10,000-$50,000 and were sold-out within a week after going on sale. A once in a lifetime opportunity included premier seating, a VIP reception with Andy Roddick, currently the number one player in the USA and the 2003 US Open Champion. Celebrity friends who joined Andy and Elton included country music superstar, Pam Tillis, Olympic Gold Medalist in ice skating, Sarah Hughes, actress, Lauren Woodward from the "Young and Restless," Governor Rick Perry and Pat Moran, CEO of JM Family/JM Lexus of Florida.

According to Blanche Roddick, chairman of The Andy Roddick Foundation, Andy is extremely involved in charitable activities and has raised more than $2.2 million dollars in just four years for sick, abused and neglected children.

Check out the photo gallery later this week .......... exclusively on andyroddick.com

SFX Tennis is part of SFX Sports Group, a global talent management and marketing agency that represents several hundred of the world's elite professional athletes in baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, soccer and Olympics. SFX Sports Group, which also develops and produces a number of nationally televised sporting events including: Legg Mason Tennis Classic; ADT Skills Challenge and the American Century Golf Championship, offers a wide range of corporate hospitality services, and is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Entertainment, a leading producer and marketer of live entertainment and also a leading live entertainment venue owner/operator.

Source: SFX Sports Group

CONTACT: Doris Porter of The Andy Roddick Foundation, +1-561-392-2652 or email gingerroddick@hotmail.com; or Audrey D'Onofrio-Shebby of SFX Sports Group, +1-202-721-7257, audrey.donofrio-shebby@sfx.com

Web site: http://www.sfxsports.com/ http://www.andyroddick.com/

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