A stray tourist cutting through the sixth floor of the Austin Hilton on October 14, 2007 could be forgiven for thinking out loud: "That party hired a pretty darn good Elton John impersonator."

It was the real Sir Elton, performing gratis for the Andy Roddick Foundation fundraiser, which, in just a few years, has become a heavy charity hitter. Pounding an amplified piano that sounded like an entire band, Elton donated a dozen songs.

Three groups of as-of-yet-unidentified bidders pooled $428,000 to dine at one of Elton's homes, a surprise — and seemingly improvised — final auction item.

Celebrities, including Lance Armstrong, soccer whiz Mia Hamm and Boyd Tinsley (from the Dave Matthews Band), cheered as Gov. Rick Perry thanked Roddick for making Austin home and invited Sir Elton to settle here. Maybe he didn't realize that the musician's marriage to David Furnish wouldn't be valid in Texas.

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