CMT Blog: Archive

The day after Thanksgiving is typically the day when smart shoppers start their holiday shopping. But if you have any country fans on your list (like, say, yourself), you may want to wait until Dec. 3. That's the day that Christie's is starting their country music sale, which they describe as the first sale dedicated to the creation, history and evolution of country music. And it's not like you need to be there, paddle in hand, to get the auction going. You can bid on musical instruments, stage outfits and handwritten lyrics from legendary artists like Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Waylon Jennings, Hank Snow, Hank Williams, Conway Twitty, Bill Monroe, Buddy Holly, Johnny and June Carter Cash, Luther Perkins and John Hartford. So if you want Johnny Cash's black Fender Malibu guitar with "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die" hand-written on it, and frankly who doesn't, register to bid early and be ready to pay about $40,000 to $60,000. There's also an iconic Waylon Jennings Fender electric guitar (pictured), circa 1950, with a custom-made white and black, handtooled leather cover and a matching leather strap bearing the name Waylon. It's estimated bid is between $80,000 to $120,000. If you don't have that kind of cash, maybe the shirt Buck Owens wore on Hee Haw would be a better fit for around $300.

Photo credit: CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2009