Agassi, friends raise more than $6 million at ninth annual Slam

Monday, Oct. 4, 2004 | 8:20 a.m.

The 2004 Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children, a spectacular event held Saturday night that included an auction, gourmet dinner and a concert, earned $6.1 million for a dozen Las Vegas charities.

It was an evening full of surprises and entertainment at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Popular television psychologist Dr. Phil, in an unannounced appearance, helped auction a vacation and jewelry package that raised $150,000. Comedians Robin Williams and Ray Romano kept the audience in stitches.

The vocals of Josh Groban, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, John Mayer and India.Arie were inspiring.

The artistry of pianist William Joseph, a new discovery by impresario David Foster, was an awesome experience.

For the past several years Foster, director of each of the nine Agassi events, has showcased up-and-coming talent at the Grand Slam.

Three years ago it was Groban, who has gone on to become one of the most popular vocalists in the country, in the vein of pop-opera singer Andrea Bocelli.

This year Joseph -- the opening act for Groban on his current national tour -- was the featured performer, the first to to take the stage in a concert that began at 9 p.m. and ended shortly before midnight.

The three-hour production was another dynamic creation by Foster. There were no obvious glitches, aside from a busted string on the guitar of India. Arie.

Foster has consistently brought superior talent to the Arena for Agassi's fund raising event. In the past it has included Elton John, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Celine Dion and dozens of other superstars.

Joseph, India.Arie and Groban (who accompanied himself on the piano as he sang Simon & Garfunkel's "America") led off the entertainment, then Romano lightened up the evening.

"I love Las Vegas," Romano said. "This is where I love to come and perform. You can't match the energy. It's the only place where I've actually had to cancel my wake-up call because I haven't gone to bed yet."

He took a shot at drive-thru wedding chapels.

"That's love," Romano said. " 'Oh yeah, I'll marry ya but I ain't gettin' out of the car."

And at Vegas' art museums found in a number of casinos.

"Vegas is the only place in the world where you can stand in front of a Picasso with a bucket of nickels," he said.

Mayer, a blues-influenced pop singer and a monster on the acoustic guitar, followed Romano.

The 25-year-old native of Connecticut, who was trained at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, has only been on the national scene for three years but already has a triple-platinum album, "Room for Squares," and a Grammy for best pop vocal performance for "Your Body is a Wonderland."

Robin Williams, who can't be contained short of a straightjacket, has not mellowed with age. Much of his comments and behavior isn't for a family newspaper.

His steady string of nonsequitur observations were laced with foul language and gestures.

Many of his zingers were political.

"Iraq is writing a constitution," Williams said. "Take ours. We're not using it."

President Bush was a favorite target of Williams.

"When he said terrorists are looking for ways to destroy this country and so are we, I thought, my gosh he's the Rainman," Williams said. "And when he said a lot of our imports come from other countries, I said 'Oh run, Forrest! Run!' "

He took over the concert with his off-the-wall improvisational humor, and in the same manner he dominated a press conference that preceded the dinner and concert.

"I would like to announce that Vegas will have thorough breast racing next year ..." Williams said to reporters and for five minutes bounced from subject to subject without letting up.

In the press conference Agassi noted that since the fundraiser began it has experienced a tremendous growth.

"We went from receiving $1.8 million in donations that first year to $12.6 million last year," he said.

At first glance, with this year's donations totaling slightly more than $6.1 million it would seem to have been a dramatic decline from last year's total.

But a single matching donation by Beanie Babies manufacturer Ty Warner skewed the donation figures. Without including Warner's check, the 2003 event garnered $6.3 million.

Even though this year's total is down slightly from the $6.3 million, Agassi was not complaining.

"What has occurred is remarkable," Agassi said. "We have created an organization that is committed every day to making so many children's lives better."

The money at the fundraiser came from a variety of sources: tickets to the concert that ranged from $75 to $150; sponsored tables for the dinner ($30,000 for platinum, $75,000 for diamond); and, following the dinner, an auction.

The sale of a variety of items raised $2,020,000. The highest bid of the evening was $210,000 for a commemorative artwork 'The Gift of Hope' by Daneil F. Gerhartz

Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign raised $200,000 with a package that included, among other things, a private jet flight to Washington, D.C., and a private tour of the capital, with either Reid or Ensign as the guide.

A package that included a Mardi Gras Party in New Orleans and a meal at Emeril's prepared by the restaurant's owner Emeril LaGasse brought in $155,000.

The winning bid on a weekend for eight at the Villa Toscana in Paso Robles, Calif., plus a trip for two to Italy was $80,000.

A trip to Africa and tea with Jane Goodall, of the Jane Goodall Institute, brought in $140,000; a vacation in the West Indies $160,000; a private tennis clinic with Agassi and his wife Stefanie Graf that included a trip to the French Open, $160; the same package, only with a trip to Wimbledon in England, $140,000; and a nonspeaking bit part in the upcoming Miramax film "Derailed" went for $45,000.

Two packages that included dinner with Williams and his wife, Marsha, in San Francisco brought in $140,000 each; a guitar signed by Mayer, plus tickets and backstage passes to a Mayer show, also went for $140,000.

Other assorted packages brought in an additional $510,000.

A total of more than $42 million has been raised in the past nine years to help support the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy; the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club; Assistant League of Las Vegas' Operation School Bell; Boys Hope/Girls Hope of Nevada; and Child Haven.

Also benefitting were Class! Publications; Cynthia Bunker and Joy McClenahan Memorial Scholarship Fund; I have a Dream Foundation; Las Vegas inner-City Games; Las Vegas Philharmonic's Youth Concert Series; the YMCA of Southern Nevada; and the Las Vegas Sun Summer Camp.