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Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation at MGM Grand Arena29 August 2007LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- A stellar line-up has been assembled again by the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) for its annual event to benefit at-risk youth in Southern Nevada, where Andre Agassi, the retired tennis champion, was raised. Tony Bennett, Kelly Clarkson, Matchbox Twenty, Carlos Santana, George Wallace and a special performance by Jerry Seinfeld will be featured at the 2007 Grand Slam for Children benefit concert at 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Grammy award-winning producer, arranger and composer David Foster will return for his 12th year as musical director. Performers and other celebrities are expected to participate in a red carpet ceremony open to the public prior to the show from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the east side of the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday Aug. 31, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, and are priced at $90, $70 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets also will be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Macy's West at the Fashion Show Mall and Ritmo Latino), and are available for purchase at MGMGrand.com and Ticketmaster.com. Sales are limited to eight (8) tickets per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. "We continue to be fortunate that so many top performers -- and friends -- are willing to dedicate their time and talent to help underprivileged children here in Southern Nevada," Agassi said of the event that's become one of the biggest entertainment spectaculars in Las Vegas. "This show follows our Grand Slam tradition of great entertainment, and I'm especially pleased with our diverse line-up this year. I'm a huge fan of all of these stars, and look forward to their performances." The Grand Slam for Children concert fund-raiser, presented by Genworth Financial, benefits the AACF, a nonprofit organization established in 1994 to assist at-risk youth in Las Vegas. More than 90,000 fans and VIP guests have attended 11 Grand Slam events, raising $61 million for charity. All of the 2007 performers are making their Grand Slam for Children debut, with the exception of Santana, who performed at the event in 2002. With a career spanning 60 years, Tony Bennett has sold more than 50 million records, received 15 Grammy awards and received Billboard Magazine's Century Award in 2006. Kelly Clarkson has won two Grammys, four American Music Awards and 11 Billboard Music Awards with her first two albums. Matchbox Twenty has sold 29 million albums worldwide, and has had more No. 1 hits on both the national Adult Top 40 and Modern Adult Contemporary charts than any other artist in chart history. Legendary guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Carlos Santana has won 10 Grammys, including a record-tying nine for a single project for his 36th album, 1999's blockbuster Supernatural. The album included the smash single "Smooth" performed with Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas, who also won three Grammy awards. The unique humor of Jerry Seinfeld and George Wallace is the perfect complement to the talents of their musical co-stars at the Grand Slam. Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning comedian, actor and writer Seinfeld was a fixture every Thursday evening on NBC's Seinfeld, one of the most successful television series in history. On the series, Seinfeld served as star, co- creator, co-writer and executive producer, surrounded by a memorable ensemble cast. Called "the guy who can roll the room over if it's dead," Wallace has won the American Comedy Award as "Best Stand-up Comedian." "We're proud to be a sponsor of this wonderful event now in its 12th year, and to be associated with the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which helps so many deserving young people get a leg up in life," Michael D. Fraizer, Genworth Financial chairman and chief executive officer, said. "We think that the values exemplified by Andre and his foundation mirror those of Genworth Financial and our employees. This is our third year supporting the event and foundation, and we're delighted to have signed on for three more." After 11 successful fund-raising concerts, Agassi still vividly remembers the first one. "I remember when it was just an idea and we weren't sure how to get it done," he said. "Thanks to the dedication and immeasurable efforts of Genworth Financial, our other partners and wonderful staff and volunteers, we've been able to provide great entertainment and a way for people to help kids." Specific charities benefiting from the AACF fund-raiser include the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a model charter school in West Las Vegas; Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club; Assistance League of Las Vegas' Operation School Bell; Boys Hope/Girls Hope of Nevada; Child Haven; Class! Publications; Cynthia Bunker and Joy McClenahan Memorial Scholarship Fund; I Have A Dream Foundation; Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars; Las Vegas Philharmonic's Youth Concert Series; Las Vegas Sun Summer Camp; and YMCA of Southern Nevada. Since its inception in 1995, the Grand Slam for Children has been distinguished by its roster of entertainers, including Barbra Streisand, Sir Elton John, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Phil Collins, Ellen DeGeneres, Sarah McLachlan, Robin Williams, Carlos Santana, Don Henley, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Ray Romano, Jamie Foxx, Jay Leno, Stevie Nicks, Seal, Tim McGraw, India.Arie, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Dennis Miller, Brian McKnight, Tears For Fears, LeAnn Rimes, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Counting Crows, and John Mayer, among others. |