Everybody, or nearly everybody, cut footloose at the 6^th Annual ECHO Foundation Gala that featured hit song maker Kenny Loggins and his array of 80s movie songs. Despite not having a major radio hit in at least 20 years, Loggins proved a powerful and energetic performer and had no problem bringing the crowd to its feet and onto the dance floor.

The event was held to raise money for Tomball Regional Hospital and according to ECHO Foundation Executive Director Marilyn Kinyo, drew more than 600 people to The Woodlands Waterway Marriott on April 10.

“That’s pretty good for the economy we’re in,” she said. While the attendance number was down slightly from last year, Kinyo said organizers have been getting excellent reviews for this year’s gala.

“Everything that we’ve heard so far has been really good,” she said.

Dubbed “Footloose and Fancy Free,” a title borrowed from the 1987 movie featuring Kevin Bacon and Loggins’ title track of the same name, the ECHO Gala featured dozens of items up for silent auction, a live auction that raised more than $35,000, a ticket raffle and sponsorships that drew up to $20,000 each, all in an effort to raise money for a patient barcoding system at Tomball Regional Hospital that medical professionals say will help increase patient safety.

Each year, the ECHO Foundation, along with the hospital, identify an area of need which the gala helps fund. Past year’s events have helped support the Women’s Center and Heart Center.

Kinyo said it was too early to determine how much the gala raised, since expenses were still being calculated, but hoped to raise at least the same amount as the event did last year.

“Given the economy that we’re in, we’re just happy to be able to help the hospital in any way we can,” she said.

The evening kicked off with those in attendance browsing the silent auction tables, which featured an array of items including jewelry, home décor, golf and travel packages, sports memorabilia and game tickets.

Following dinner and introductions by Kinyo and host Darby Douglas, the live auction was held. Among the highlights was the sale of an 11-week old Maltese puppy that sold for $4,250.

A trophy bull elk hunt at a private ranch in Colorado sold for $4,000, as did an autographed acoustic guitar by Loggins. The crown jewel of the live auction was a six-day, five-night trip to an 8,000 square foot villa in the hills of Puerto Vallarta, which sold for $7,750.

Once the live auction wrapped up, the house lights dimmed and Dancing With the Stars performer Corky Ballas took to the dance floor with his partner for a dance routine that impressed the crowd.

Next, the stage lights came to life as Loggins took the stage with a five-piece backing band. He opened with the ballad, “Danny’s Song,” but the show kicked into gear quickly.

Songs like “It’s Alright” from the 1980’s Caddyshack and “You’re Mama Don’t Dance” got the crowd out of their chairs and onto the dance floor. After a brief break, Loggins returned to the stage for a stellar encore that included “Danger Zone” from the fighter pilot action film Top Gun and set-closer and crowd-pleaser “Footloose.” 

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