Andy Roddick speaking at his annual Foundation Gala (Credit: Andy Roddick Foundation)
Before Andy Roddick hit the legal voting age, he had already started a charitable foundation.
At the age of 17, still a kid himself, the Andy Roddick Foundation was established to work with the local community to expand opportunities for young people to learn, thrive and succeed.
The non-profit focuses on out of school programs that have a positive and lasting effect on students by keeping them safe, engaged and active.
Although Andy is not an Austin native, he spent a substantial part of his childhood here. By the time he moved back to Austin in 2004, he was considered an international tennis superstar with a #1 ranking worldwide. As his visibility increased, the Foundation flourished.
A year after returning to Austin, Andy wanted to start a signature fundraising event and so the annual Gala was born. Roddick’s high profile celebrity status, mixed with his unique “tell it like it is” charm, attracted several megastars to perform at the event, many of whom he counts as personal friends. For the last few years, the Andy Roddick Foundation Gala has been held at one of the premier concert venues in the country, the Moody Theatre (aka ACL Live). Past headliners have included Sir Elton John and John Legend.
Elton John performing at the Andy Roddick Foundation Gala (Credit: Alan via Flickr CC)
See Darius Rucker at the 2014 Foundation Gala
Darius Rucker, former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman re-imagined as a country star (Credit: Andy Roddick Foundation)
This year, the venue stays the same, but we get the incomparable Darius Rucker as the headliner. You may know him better as the frontman for Hootie & the Blowfish, the band that went 16 times platinum over 20 years ago with their debut album. Their single “I Only Want To Be With You” was played so often, in so many different radio station formats, that it could be considered as the soundtrack for the mid-90’s. Darius Rucker is now touring as a country artist for his third solo country album, True Believers.
“I am excited to have Darius Rucker join us this year in our annual gala,” said Roddick. “This night is important to help raise funds that positively impact the Austin area elementary school aged children we are working with.”
Limited Number of Tickets Still Available
The Andy Roddick Foundation Gala will be held on Friday, October 17, 2014 and includes a cocktail reception as well as exclusive live auctions, followed by Darius Rucker’s concert. A very limited number of tickets are still available for the concert portion of the event, starting at $59.
@Crafty_Ed asks:
Have you had any experience or interactions with the Andy Roddick Foundation?
Moody Theater cover photo by John Cabuena, Flipintex Fotos.
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