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UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS RAISES A GLASS TO 90 YEARS. BY JANE ROZELLE. PHOTOGRAPHY MARK NELSON, JONATHAN ZIZZO, DANIEL DRIENSKY, DANA DRIENSKY, MISSY SPROUSE. APRIL | PAGE 10 | 2015 TEXAS FOREVER "I LOVE PLAYING COUNTRY MUSIC IN TEXAS, AS THIS IS WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYED." — Blake Shelton "THIS COULD ONLY HAPPEN IN COWBOYS STADIUM." — USHER "Y ou make me wanna say … oh my gosh!" The lyrics echoed throughout AT&T Stadium. Beams of light flashed, and as clouds of smoke rose, megastar Usher appeared, commanding everyone to their feet. More than 20,000 revelers rejoiced at the Texas-sized blowout, toasting the 90th anniversary for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. After a year's worth of festivities, it was only fitting that the nonprofit's president and CEO, Jennifer Sampson, along with anniversary co- chairs (and Dallas Cowboys royalty) Troy Aikman and Charlotte Jones Anderson, would throw a finale with such finesse. They brought in not only one, but two stellar performers: While Usher moondanced his way around the stage, his co- headliner (and co-star on NBC's The Voice) Blake Shelton had everyone boot-scootin' in no time. Needless to say, the duo monumentally rocked the house down. Since its inception in 1924, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has changed lives forever in North Texas. "We focus our efforts on education, financial stability and health — the building blocks for strong families and thriving communities," said Sampson. This goal has sustained the nonprofit for 90 years — definitely a cause worth commending. Throughout this past year, the organization hosted several events to raise awareness (and funds), including the Nine for 90 project — nine days of community-service projects with each event focusing on one of the "impact areas" of education, income and health, and led by former Dallas Cowboys Darren Woodson, Roger Staubach, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Charlie Waters, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, and Jason Witten. As fund-raisers, kickoffs and pre-parties ensued, it all came down to the final fête: the Unite. Forever. Gala. Gala chairs Lenise and Randall Stephenson, Karen and Tom Falk, and Mary and Rich Templeton welcomed patrons to the VIP dinner, which was held on the field. As the crowd enjoyed braised beef brisket, grilled chicken and pureed potatoes topped off with cake-ball confections, speakers including Roger Staubach, Gene Jones, and Darren Woodson took the stage. Laura Bush, with daughters Barbara and Jenna, took their turn at the mic, giving a shout out to one of the many honorary chairs, Ruth Altshuler, who was also celebrating her 90th birthday. Then it was time for the true party to begin. Cue Blake Shelton, who opened up with his chart-topping hit "All About Tonight," then gave a nod to George Strait with a cover of "All My Exes Live in Texas." After the country boy got the audience on their feet, Usher added additional swagger, taking a moment to high-five Emmitt Smith as he made his way up on the stage. In no time, the R&B performer had the crowd dancing along to "DJ Got Us Falling In Love" and "OMG," two of his most notable tunes. In between songs, the headliners exchanged their usual banter, including a contest to see who could get the famed Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on stage to dance along. (Sorry, Usher … Blake won that battle round.) The evening concluded with a duo of "With A Little Help From My Friends," prompting confetti to drop from above as the entire stadium sang along. The anniversary event was a stadium-sized success — but then again, would Jerry have it any other way. Center stage: Margaret McDermott, Margot Perot, Debbie Ryan, Brian Gallagher, Gillian Breidenbach, Gina Betts, Jackie Collins, Meghan Looney, Michelle and Bill Lockhart, Jeff Kearney, Joseph Harwood, Louisa Oberman, Sheila and Jody Grant, Laura Reeder, Sarah Conway, and Liz Minyard. Visit papercitymag.com for more party pics online. Barbara Pierce Bush Jerry Jones Jr. Lori Jones Co-chair Charlotte Jones Anderson Co-chair Troy Aikman Jennifer Sampson Jenna Bush Hager Caroline Rose Hunt Nancy Cain Marcus Ross Perot Heather Ridgeway Adrienne Gehan Jordan Brooks Dennis Cail Ron Corning Shane Allen Brandon Avance Darren Woodson Kaity Avance Karla McKinley Olivia Kearney Daryl Johnston Katy Bock Lawrence Bock Nancy Rogers Michael Flores Emmitt Smith Pat Smith Diane Johnston Ken Altshuler Ruth Altshuler Jerry Jones Gene Jones Robert Brackbill Laura Bush Annika Cail Lyda Hill Blake Shelton and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders OMG, it's Usher. Blake Shelton