Host Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open
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Andy Taylor: Announcer. Voice Artist. Babysitter for 23,000 Kids.
At the 2018 US Open, Andy Taylor was both an announcer and voice artist for Arthur Ashe Kids Day. In the video above, you’ll hear Andy’s voice in the ABC bumpers, and his live welcome to fans at the top of the show.
Andy Taylor’s role, as always, is to keep 23-thousand young fans engaged during the show. From red-carpet interviews to fun-filled fan interaction, you can catch him running all over the court. Additionally, he hosted the NJTL performance challenge, won by 17-year-old Nicole Hammond. During the live show, Nicole tested her skills against Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
A Disney Dream-Team, All-Star Cast
Loaded with live performances and legends of the game, Kids Day 2018 featured hosts Skai Jackson, Alex Aiono and Morgan Thompkins. Skai is best known from her shows “Bunk’d” and “Jesse” on the Disney channel. Alex is a singer/songwriter with over 6-million YouTube subscribers, currently working on his debut album for Interscope Records. Morgan is best known for his work on Radio Disney, American Idol and the Los Angeles Dodgers. ABC-Network recorded the entire show and aired a one-hour Kids Day Special on Sunday.
Performers included CNCO, Echosmith, In Real Life, Kim Petras, and AJ Mitchell. A special finale featured students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The entire cast returned to the stage and performed “Shine,” a song written by students Andrea and Sawyer after Parkland’s school shooting last February.
At just $10 to $25 a ticket, Arthur Ashe Kids Day is an affordable way for families to honor the legacy of a great champion and humanitarian. It’s an exciting, exhausting, kid-friendly day. Definitely worth the trip for families who have early session US Open tickets.
What is Arthur Ashe Kids Day? From ArthurAsheKidsDay.com:
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day is the largest single-day, grassroots tennis and entertainment event in the world. With chart-topping performers, celebrities and the best players in the game celebrating the life and values of tennis legend and humanitarian Arthur Ashe. The event takes place every Saturday before the US Open.
Those who have performed at the Ashe Kids’ Day on their way to stardom include: Shawn Mendes. Ariana Grande. Ne-Yo. Demi Lovato. Justin Bieber. Rihanna. Carly Rae Jepsen. Britney Spears. Backstreet Boys. And Jonas Brothers.
A “Who’s Who?” of the tennis world has given back to the game during this fun-filled afternoon, including Andre Agassi, Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, John McEnroe, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Serena and Venus Williams. Celebrity participants over the years include Alec Baldwin, Nick Cannon, John Cena, Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell, Tony Hawk, Randy Jackson, Matthew Morrison, Kenan Thompson, and Michelle Obama.
Proceeds from Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day benefit the USTA Foundation which helps fund the National Junior Tennis and Learning Network. The NJTL is a nationwide group of more than 500 nonprofit youth-development organizations that provide free or low-cost tennis, education and life-skills to more than 225,000 children each year. Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder founded the NJTL in 1969, the year following Arthur’s historic win at the first US Open.
