Could it be all the auction shows gaining popularity on television? From the rough-and-tumble of Storage Wars to the more genteel Antiques Road Show, American TV watchers are catching the auction bug in a big way.
So I suppose it should be no surprise to note a pair of instrument auctions at upcoming bluegrass events next week, both scheduled for May 5.
The first is a silent auction, with bids for a new Nechville Classic Flex-Tone banjo being sold to benefit the Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy being accepted by phone. Bidding starts at $2000 for this instrument valued at $3500. This annual event grew out of the Maryland Banjo Academy, which was created as an honor for Hub Nitchie, founder of Banjo NewsLetter. It is held now under its new name each Spring near Gatlingburg, TN and like its predecessor, features instruction in a wide variety of banjo styles, both three finger and clawhammer.
Bids can be placed by phone at 865-428-8744 any time prior to 6:00 p.m. (EDT) on May 5.
At 4:00 p.m. on 5/5, a live auction will be held at Houstonfest in Galax, VA. This event, hosted in memory of Houston Caldwell who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2010, is in its second year. Held at Felts Park, site of the venerable Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, the festival raises money for a scholarship for young musicians.
Serving as auctioneer will be Ken Farmer, a bluegrass musician and featured expert on episodes of Antiques Road Show on PBS. Items offered will include a special Huber Heritage prototype banjo, a handmade dreadnaught guitar from Wayne Henderson, and a handcrafted mandolin from Spencer Strickland.
Live bidding for these lots will be accepted from the stage at Houstonfest during the auction, and via online bidding through Ken Farmer Auctions & Appraisals‘ web site.
More details about each of the Houstonfest lots can be found online.
