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Tuesday October 9th, 2001
Tennis greats take center court for Gibson Grand Slam Jam
Tennis greats Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier took center court for the Gibson Guitar Grand Slam Jam last weekend in Austin, TX. The all-star tennis and music event raised money for cancer research at the Hope Foundation.
This unique sporting showcase featured the finest world tennis talent, Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, music stars Mike Mills (REM), Fastball, Lee Roy Parnell, rising New York singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw and 11-year-old guitar wiz Nick Sterling. Three-time Tour De France winner and 5-year cancer survivor Lance Armstrong and all-star NBA forward from the San Antonio Spurs Sean Elliot competed in the celebrity doubles matches.
The event opened Thursday night with music -- a Kick-Off Party and silent auction at the One World Theater overlooking Austins hill country. Friday, Courier and friends presented a tennis Thrills & Drills Clinic featuring lessons and demonstrations for celebrities and guests.
That evening Henry and Courier hosted the celebrity Grand Slam Jam Tennis Shootout at the University of Texas Frank Erwin Center including singles matches among the tennis pros and celebrity doubles matches. Following the event, the tennis players were guests of Gibson for a musical Grand Slam Jam Post Party at Austin's legendary Antone's.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Hope Foundation, a cancer research organization based in San Antonio, TX. The Hope Foundation is dedicated to a cancer-free future by supporting the largest clinical cancer trials organization in the world - the Southwest Oncology Group.
Here's a photo gallery of tennis greats and their musical guests hard at play:
At the pre-party, The Hope Foundation's information table featured a Gibson Les Paul Classic
Goldtop and a B.B. King Lucille. Both were sold during the silent auction.
Gibson's Custom Shop donated a custom guitar in the shape of the U.S. and
a Class 5 Les Paul featuring the Hope Foundation logo.
The proceeds from the sale of the U.S. guitar will go to the Red Cross
for the relief efforts in New York and Washington.
Henry Juszkiewicz, his wife Catherine, Lee Roy Parnell and Jim Courier.
Mike Mills and Jim Courier sing R.E.M.'s "Superman."
11 year old Nick Sterling sings Z.Z Top's "Tush."
Mike Mills and Lee Roy Parnell share some licks on "Stand By Me."
Jim Courier (in the red hat) welcomes everyone to the Clinic on Friday afternoon.
After some drills, all the participants played "Around the World."
Here, Henry waits to follow Jim Courier.
Gavin DeGraw, Mike Mills, Jim Courier, Lance Armstrong,
Shawn McCarthy, music director, Sean Elliot, Henry Juszkiewicz,
Nick Sterling, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras
and Tim Stallard, president of Pro Link Management.
Brian Chavez, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hope Foundation
thanks Pete Sampras for participating in the event.
Nick plays Jimi Hendrix's version of the national anthem on a patriotic Gibson.
The participants listen as Gavin DeGraw sings "America the Beautiful."
Agassi receives pointers from Armstrong and Mills during his match with Courier.
Agassi congratulates Sean Elliot on his win.
Courier thanks Henry for being a part of the Gibson Grand Slam Jam.
Courier was presented with a Gibson SG Special
to replace one stolen from him during Wimbledon in 1993.
Henry gives a Les Paul Standard to Pete Sampras, winner of the event.
Jim Courier, Nick Sterling and Henry jam at Antone's.
Courier getting into his Les Paul Standard
Nick closed the show with a solo guitar medley.
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