Las Vegas Weekly

September 28, 2009 · 11:24 AM

Photo Galleries: Stars turn out in full force for Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam

By Robin Leach

Chris Daughtry and Dane Cook perform the theme to the sitcom Growing Pains.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Music legend Lionel Richie not only said it but also sang it: “We’re Having a Party!” It was the absolutely appropriate song for the midnight hour to wind up Andre Agassi’s 14th Grand Slam for Children fundraiser -- and celebrate another $8 million that our hometown tennis champion has raised for his Foundation for Education. Like his tennis wins, this was another major accomplishment and especially noteworthy because it comes during tough economic times.

It was the concert that wouldn’t end, and leading lens lady Denise Truscello was backstage, front row and everywhere else for our amazing photo galleries, with our contributing photographers Tom Donoghue, Scott Harrison and Erik Kabik also on the scene.

It was the concert with the best all-star lineup that Andre had arm-twisted to perform, and next year he promises to somehow miraculously top this one! Tim McGraw, Lionel Richie, Dane Cook, Daughtry, Macy Gray, Brian McKnight, 17-year-old singing sensation Charice and new Monte Carlo headline comedy impressionist Frank Caliendo entertained the sellout crowd at the Wynn, with music legend David Foster handling producing duties. Mirage headliner Terry Fator had entertained the megabucks VIP sponsors at a private dinner hosted by Andre at the Wynn on Friday.

Andre and radiant wife tennis champion Steffi Graf walked the red carpet with a group of the honored students of his College Preparatory Academy. Celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and Michael Mina, athletes Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Tony Hawk, Palms headliner Matt Goss with his producer Robin Antin of Pussycat Dolls fame and artist Romero Britto joined the entertainers. We’ll add all the juicy gossip they told me later in the week when we get time to transcribe our interviews!

Over the past 13 years, Andre’s Grand Slam has raised $75 million. With this weekend’s haul, it’s at the $83 million mark, which means the $100 million goal should be met over the next two to three years!

There’s no question that it was the blockbuster performances by Tim and Lionel that stole the extraordinary star-studded show. And it was the surprise duets by Chris with Tim and Dane that topped the night, with Tim’s wife country queen Faith Hill watching -- almost in hiding -- behind the stage curtains! Chris sang a rousing, energetic country gospel number with Tim and then switched gears for a quieter guitar duet with Dane. Both absolutely brought the black-tie and bejeweled crowd to their feet that turned into a posh pit, as Dane called it, for dancing!

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.

Click HERE for our weekend coverage, and click HERE for Senior Editor John Katsilometes’ report.

It also was a night of celebrating for the stars themselves. Dane was enjoying the success of his double platinum album Retaliation, which has become the highest charting comedy album in 28 years, while Daughtry, fronted by former American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry, was excited that his new album Leave This Town had debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 -- his second consecutive No. 1 album and an American Idol record. Chris told me that he’ll film the video for the single “Life After You” in L.A. this week, and then head out Oct. 19 on a 36-date arena tour across the U.S. starting in Topeka, Kansas, and ending in Evansville, Ind., on Dec. 20. His opening acts will be Theory of a Deadman and Cavo.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

My favorite moment of the night was Lionel bringing it all to a close as Andre and Steffi -- unaware of the crowd around them -- kissed, hugged and held each other while singing and dancing along to his music.

“An incredible night,” Andre said. “Each year, I am amazed at what we are able to achieve. I have no fears that next year, however challenging, it will be even more extraordinary.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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