Eight-year-old Violinist Brianna Kahane Wows Crowd At 10th Annual Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala

Philadelphia, PA (Top40 Charts/ Brianna Kahane Official Website) - More than 1,400 supporters packed the RiverCentre ballroom for the 10th Annual Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala in St. Paul Sunday night for a truly unforgettable evening of entertainment, inspiration and charity. Master of Ceremonies, comedian Norm Crosby, presided over the event that featured special honors for Sam Moore, Muhammad Ali, Steve Martin, Brad and Janet Anderson and Harvey Mackay.

Eight-year-old violinist Brianna Kahane opened the event performing a captivating 30-minute solo set - on a mere 1/4-size violin - including everything from "Csardas" by V. Monti to a medley of "Over the Rainbow" and Queen's classic "Bohemian Rhapsody." This, coupled with her performance - donning a pair of dark shades - to a standing ovation with legendary Sam Moore on his Grammy-winning classic "Soul Man," helped the event raise a record $7.5 million to further advance the foundation's goal to fit every financially needy child and adult in the world with a hearing aid.

Former President Bill Clinton, keynote speaker and special guest at the gala, opened his remarks rubbing his forehead in disbelief following Brianna's performance saying, "Wow.... If I could have played saxophone the way Brianna plays violin, I'd have gone into a different line of work." President Clinton went on to tell an admiring crowd that he was thrilled to have the opportunity to see and hear the legendary Sam Moore perform "Soul Man" one more time, fondly reflecting on his love for Sam and his classic tune.

President Clinton came to the event to honor philanthropists Bill and Tani Austin, and delivered a riveting speech about the importance of the work done by Starkey Hearing Foundation and the role it plays to better the lives of people all around the world.

The star-studded charity event was also attended by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Grammy-nominated, platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks, Magic Johnson, "Extreme Home Makeover" host Paige Hemmis, The Canadian Tenors, The Doobie Brothers, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Astronauts Charlie Duke and Scott Carpenter, Actors Christopher and Kyle Massey and Lou Ferrigno, first female NBA coach Nancy Lieberman, Senator Amy Klobuchar, NFL's Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals), Roy Williams (Dallas Cowboys), Brad Childress, Steve Hutchinson and Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) and Yankees' pitcher Dennis Rasmussen, among many others.