Martina McBride Celebrity Auction Raises Awareness and Support for a Worthy Cause
(contributed by Hillary Evans and Kirby Smith)
Pockets ran deep at the 27th Annual Celebrity Auction for the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee on Sunday afternoon, June 13. Held on the CMA Music Festival’s Family Zone Stage, this year’s auction partnered with Martina McBride and raised over $100,000. Since 1983, the YWCA Celebrity Auction has raised $1.4 million to support the services of the YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Center.
A spirit of generosity prevailed throughout the event as one by one celebrities assisted in auctioning off items. Bo Bice kicked off the day enthusiastically as he paraded items in front of the items, encouraging higher bids. In one instance, he began to auction a four-person meet-and-greet at any of his concerts and an autographed to-do list and parking pass from his days as an “American Idol” contestant. But as guest emcee Storme Warren of GAC and Sirius Satellite Radio urged him to push the bid up to $1,000, he ended up adding the shirt off his back – autographed, of course – and a ring, given to him by a fan, from his finger. The winning fan, who Bice introduced as “Ms. Sue,” mirrored the charitable spirit when she gave back the ring to Bice, much to the crowd’s pleasure.
One notable sale involved framed and handwritten lyrics of Big & Rich’s “She’s a Butterfly,” autographed by Big Kenny, who personally auctioned the item. After pushing the bid to $11,000, he surprised the crowd by adding that another, identical copy was available too. Both sold for a combined sum of $22,000.
Long time McBride fans Paul, 52, and Ginny, 48, Thompson of Newbury, Mass., originally attended the auction for a chance to see their favorite star but left with a new found respect for another artist. “I never viewed Big Kenny the way I forever will now,” Paul said. “He’s a big personality and really used it to encourage people to spend a lot of money for a good cause.”
The Thompsons showed their support by acquiring a Martina McBride cutout and two meet-and-greets for a total of $3,100.
Other items in the auction included artist autographed CDs, photos, clothing, microphones, guitars and an autographed and framed Carrie Underwood CD, which went for $1,650. Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Martina McBride, who appeared at and co-sponsored the event along with Warren, the YWCA and CMA to sponsor the event.
“We believe in this cause,” said Jerry and Linda Keltner, both 60, from Louisville, Ky. Linda, who received the four-day CMA Fest passes for her birthday, also was hoping to see McBride. “Through the hardest times in my life, Martina McBride’s music has touched my heart like no other,” she said. “I would like to see her and meet her.”
For those who could not afford the higher-ticket items or who wanted to take home a souvenir, grab bags filled with Martina McBride T-shirts, CDs, headshots, key chains and other items were available for $20.
