Historic piano raffled for $10 a ticket

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AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- A piano played by Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino is being raffled to raise money for Family Elder Care in Austin, Texas.

The 1915 Mason & Hamlin piano was the "right aorta" of the Armadillo World Headquarters, a popular Austin nightclub of the '70s, the club's owner told Monday's Houston Chronicle.

Count Basie, Leon Russell, Carole King, Marcia Ball and Barry Manilow also tickled the ivories of the baby grand.

"It was kind of the right aorta of the Armadillo, if the stage was the heart of the Armadillo and the kitchen was what kept us all going," Eddie Wilson said. He has had the piano in his living room since the club closed in 1980.

About 1,000 $10 raffle tickets have been sold for the piano so far. The winner will be announced Sept. 1, the Chronicle said.