Country music stars and celebrities have donated guitars and other possessions to the Christie's NASHVILLE country music auction, to raise funds for everyday workers in the industry whose livelihoods have been devastated by the COVID 19 pandemic ..
In addition to the Swarovski-crystal bedazzled four-string dulcimer owned by Dolly Parton for 30 years, the sale features a stunning black 2018 Gibson acoustic guitar personally inscribed and dated by global superstar Taylor Swift (estimate: $25,000-40,000). The lot includes the original hard-shell case, embroidered Levy guitar strap (pictured) and plectrum caddy containing five personalized Taylor Swift custom guitar picks including one commemorating her 2017 sixth studio album reputation and her record-breaking stadium tour and four commemorating her 2019 seventh studio album Lover. Played during Swift’s live, world premiere debut of her folklore single “betty” at the 2020 ACM Awards show at Nashville’s legendary Grand Ole Opry House, her appearance marked a return to the ACM stage after seven years.
Dolly Parton comments: “Seeing my country music community suffer due to the pandemic has broken my heart. It was important to donate the dulcimer that was designed for my 50th Opry Anniversary so we can raise awareness and much needed funds to keep these folks on their feet before we can open the doors to our stages once again.”
Other auction highlights include Sheryl Crow’s vintage Baldoni accordion (estimate: $8,000-12,000) which has an extensive and important studio and live performance history. Made circa 1940 in Castelfidardo, Italy, the accordion has a rhinestone-studded logo, has been owned by the artist since the nineties and used in the 1996 recording of her second album “Sheryl Crow.” The accordion was played in numerous memorable performances including her 1997 Lilith Fair live performance of “Strong Enough”; the 1997 VH1 Honors show performing “Back in the High Life” with Steve Winwood; the 1998 Global Sessions tour; as well as appearances with Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Levon Helm, Marty Stuart and others.
Additional important musical instruments in the sale include Keith Urban’s Hi-9 semi-solid body electric guitar played in Urban’s 2018 Coming Home video from the album Graffiti U and on the 2018 ACM Awards Show (estimate: $5,000-10,000); Bradley Cooper’s semi-hollow body electric Gibson guitar (estimate: $2,000-4,000) used by Cooper as “Jackson Maine” alongside Lady Gaga throughout rehearsals and filming of the 2019 blockbuster “A Star is Born”; and Dwight Yoakam’s first ever owned Epiphone Casino guitar with hard shell case from the cover of his 2005 16th studio album Blame the Vain (estimate: $3,000-5,000). The auction also offers signed guitars from Vince Gill, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and more (estimates range from $500 to $2,000).
In addition to instruments, the sale features Tim McGraw’s F131 HELLCAT MOTORCYCLE, 2007 by Curtiss Motors (estimate: $30,000-50,000). A gift from long-time friend NFL quarterback and Hall of Famer Brett Favre, the bike boasts 137 horsepower and is equipped with a vast array of must-have features. Also included in the sale is “HAGGARD” a 2019 work by Visual Artist and Academy Award-winning songwriter Bernie Taupin, saluting the lyrics of American county singer Merle Haggard from his 1970 epic “The Fighting Side of Me” (estimate: $15,000-20,000).
The stellar line up of items contributed by artists includes a circa 1930 acoustic guitar from Little Big Town; ephemera from documentary documentarian and filmmaker of Country Music Ken Burns and Country artist Marty Stuart, along with performance wear worn by Reba McEntire, Billy Bob Thornton, reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Carrie Underwood and Trisha Yearwood, custom and stage worn cowboy boots from Miranda Lambert as well as Clint Black including one of his iconic harmonicas (estimates range from $300 to $2,000).
“NASHVILLE: An Auction to benefit ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund,” visit: www.christies.com/nashville.
