Grammy Award-Winning Singer Seal Steps In to Headline Andy Roddick Foundation Gala

With his foundation’s gala at ACL Live just days away and Art Garfunkel unable to perform because of illness, Andy Roddick was looking for a new headliner when renowned British singer-songwriter Seal messaged him just to see how he was doing.

“I was panicked yesterday when we didn’t have a gala artist,” Roddick said in a statement. Within two hours of their conversation, he said, Seal had rearranged his schedule and agreed to play. The foundation announced the change Wednesday, Nov. 4, five days before the gala.

By Monday night, about 2,000 supporters and concertgoers had gathered at ACL Live. Brooklyn Decker and foundation CEO Jaime La Fuente Garcia joined Roddick for an evening that began with cocktails and included dinner and a live auction. Tennis fans could bid on a trip to the U.S. Open, while other auction offerings included an Austin FC experience, an African safari and tropical vacations.

1

7

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker. (Photo by Tyler Schmitt, The Mill Photography Studio/Courtesy of ARF)

2

7

Carrie Fruge and Jaime Garcia. (Photo by Tyler Schmitt, The Mill Photography Studio/Courtesy of ARF)

3

7

Lance Avery Morgan, Andy Roddick and Rob Giardinelli. (Photo by Tyler Schmitt, The Mill Photography Studio/Courtesy of ARF)

4

7

The Andy Roddick Foundation Board. (Photo by Tyler Schmitt, The Mill Photography Studio/Courtesy of ARF)

5

7

Seal performs at the Andy Roddick Foundation Gala at ACL Live in Austin on Nov. 9, 2026. (Photo by Tyler Schmitt, The Mill Photography Studio/Courtesy of ARF)

6

7

Andy Roddick speaks at his foundation’s annual gala at ACL Live. (Photo by Tyler Schmitt, The Mill Photography Studio/Courtesy of ARF)

7

7

The gala has raised more than $16.7 million since 2010 to support after-school and summer learning programs in Central Texas. (Photo by Tyler Schmitt, The Mill Photography Studio/Courtesy of ARF)

Support for Central Texas youth

Seal, a four-time Grammy winner who had played for the foundation before, took the stage after dinner. His set list opened with “Fly Like an Eagle” and included “Killer” before ending with two of his best-known songs, “Kiss From a Rose” and “Crazy.”

“I consider Seal a brother, and am so humbled by him coming to play for us again,” Roddick said.

Roddick founded the nonprofit in 2000. Its work today focuses on the hours and months when school is out, running after-school programs and summer camps for Central Texas children. The foundation also advocates for access to those programs, particularly for families in underserved communities.

Through its Learn All the Time Network, the foundation trains local youth program leaders. The organization says the programs those leaders run reach more than 49,000 children across Austin. The annual gala has raised more than $16.7 million since 2010 to support the foundation’s after-school and summer learning programs.

RELATED: FORE Kids ATX Raises Nearly $2.4 Million for Four Nonprofits at Its Austin Fundraiser