You know the drill. That new special someone comes flying into your life like Dale Earnhardt, Jr., taking the last turn at Daytona and just like that you morph into a love-sick moron. Sappy e-mails and texts, watching shows you’ve never heard of, opening car doors, daily showers and daydreaming ensues. Every broken heart you’ve suffered and restraining order you filed (or disregarded) seem like they never happened.

And then you find out that the love of your life has a few extra details they feel compelled to share.

A couple of kids? OK.
Still live with mom? Yeah, OK.
Escort? Huh?

Buying real estate at auction can be somewhat similar with disclosures that need to be made before the relationship between seller and high bidder can be consummated.

The question is can you handle the truth? Or the terms of sale?

When registering for auctions (online or in person), bidders are typically required to accept terms of sale. This CYA is in place to protect yourself and the seller … alerting everyone to what is expected before the exchange of deed can take place. But as with any legal document, don’t let all the “Hence to Forth …” sap your excitement. Just look up all the big words, read through everything carefully and fully understand how much skin you’re putting in the game.

For instance, during the Live & Absolute Home Auction taking place on June 20, all the properties are being sold by Williams & Williams (in partnership with the Auction Network) “As Is, Where Is” with no financing, approval or other gatekeepers between you and the sale. Confused? Let’s say you want a can of Diet Coke sitting on my desk. Feel free to make me an offer. I can’t guarantee that nobody passed by and spit in it, but then again, it may have just been opened and left there by someone else or it could be filled with mint silver dollars. Sure it’s a little risky, but you can’t pass “Go” and collect $200 in Monopoly without rolling the dice.

Since the majority of these 60 properties ended up in the auction following foreclosure procedures there will more often than not be additional taxes, unpaid utility bills, or other encumbrances associated with each property. These will need to be paid or settled by the high bidders either before a special warranty deed can be issued or after a quit claim deed is issued by the seller.

Prior to the auction of each property, the auctioneer will state the known disclosures that need attention. Keep in mind that W&W has used best efforts to identify all encumbrances for each property using good faith research, but can’t rule out that some tax lien isn’t sitting out there or that a homeowners association doesn’t still think they are owed $100 for a mowing bill that wasn’t paid years ago.

What if a home has a hefty tax bill? You’ll need to add that to the cost. But, remember many things can be negotiated especially these days. Check with the agency that holds the tax bill prior to closing. Perhaps the house’s appraised value declined significantly giving you the argument that the tax bill should be reduced proportionately. You’re the new owner, not the deadbeat who stiffed the bank and the tax office. Try to get them to work with you.

Or maybe the bill was actually paid and not removed from public record.

In advance of bidding on any property do your own research and due diligence.

Each property listed on auctionnetwork.com in the Live & Absolute Home Auction catalog has a link for “property details.” After clicking there, you will see additional images, estimated value calculator, time of auction, descriptions and a list of specific disclosures. Among the disclosures will be any of the encumbrances Williams & Williams were able to verify. Add those debts to what you’re willing to pay, plus estimated costs for repairs. Then compare that total to some of the area comps for similar homes and rent prices in the neighborhood. This should not only provide you some reasonable expectation in terms of the total outlay, but also give you a solid blueprint on which you can fulfill your goal at the auction.

Live & Absolute Home Auction

When: June 20, 2009
Where: Tulsa, Okla.
Auction Time: 3pE/2pC
What's The Deal?: Over 60 homes will be sold absolute without reserve to the highest bidders during a live, televised auction conducted by Auction Network in partnership with Williams & Williams. Interested buyers from around the globe can bid in person, online or over the telephone on single family homes in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and many other states across America. The live event coverage will be broadcast nationally on ION Television Network on Dish Network Ch. 217 and DIRECTV Ch. 347 and on Golden Eagle Broadcasting (GEB) locally (in Tulsa) on KGEB 53, Cox Cable 23 and online at auctionnetwork.com. Buyers planning to bid remotely via the Internet are encouraged to pre-register at auctionnetwork.com. Bids can also be placed over the telephone during the live event by calling 1.866.231.8011. The Live Absolute Home Auctions event presented by Auction Network and Williams & Williams will also take place in front of a live audience at the Golden Eagle Broadcast Center located at 81st and Lewis in Tulsa, Okla. Doors will open at 1p CDT and interested bidders should register on site 30 minutes prior to the start of the auctions. Registration is free.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here      

With low interest rates, a plethora of financing options and companies angling for your business, you too can now relax in your own swimming pool or add one to an investment property.

But before you start slapping yourself on your soon-to-be sunburned back over the good news, you’ll have to decide what shape your water wonderland will take. Not counting kiddie wadding pools there are two basic types: above-ground and in-ground.

Usually costing a third of what an in-ground pool would run, above-ground pools set up on level ground (hence the name) and consist of heavy-duty liners fit over some type of supporting structure made of wood, aluminum or steel. The more popular shapes are round, oval or rectangular. Some, including recent versions constructed of rubber, can be taken down or moved once drained and disassembled. Just like their in-ground cousins, these are fully functioning pools with electricity, pumps and filters.

Before opting for this version, check with your local home-owner’s association covenant, as they are sometimes not allowed in certain neighborhoods. At the same time, above-ground pools are usually not taxed as property improvements. 

There are at least three popular options when it comes to digging a big hole in your property. Ones with vinyl liners are reinforced by a supporting framework that is built into the ground. They are the least expensive version but the liners may need to be replaced within 10 years with good upkeep. Another option is a fiberglass variety that is built off-site and dropped into a hole and then fitted with piping. The most expensive version is a gunite pool in which concrete is sprayed over a basket framework made up of steel rods and wire mesh and then textured with a paintable white plaster.

There’s more to owning a pool than just having a really cool pocket of water to jump in to. Whether you go with an above- or in-ground variety, you will probably need to invest in the following:
    • Filter system and skimmers to keep the water clean
    • Steps or ladders (unless they are built into the design)
    • Heating equipment if you live in a predominately cold climate
    • Decking (either wood for above-ground or concrete/stone for in-ground)
    • Pool cover for retaining heat and keeping out debris
    • Some type of fencing (with latch) to keep children and pets from falling in
    • Housing structure to keep the pumps safe from elements and hazards
    • Hand rails, diving boards and lights, which are not necessary but can add to the look

Live & Absolute Home Auction

When: June 20, 2009
Where: Tulsa, Okla.
Auction Time: 3pE/2pC
What's The Deal?: Over 60 homes will be sold absolute without reserve to the highest bidders during a live, televised auction conducted by Auction Network in partnership with Williams & Williams. Interested buyers from around the globe can bid in person, online or over the telephone on single family homes in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and many other states across America. The live event coverage will be broadcast nationally on ION Television Network on Dish Network Ch. 217 and DIRECTV Ch. 347 and on Golden Eagle Broadcasting (GEB) locally (in Tulsa) on KGEB 53, Cox Cable 23 and online at auctionnetwork.com. Buyers planning to bid remotely via the Internet are encouraged to pre-register at auctionnetwork.com. Bids can also be placed over the telephone during the live event by calling 1.866.231.8011. The Live Absolute Home Auctions event presented by Auction Network and Williams & Williams will also take place in front of a live audience at the Golden Eagle Broadcast Center located at 81st and Lewis in Tulsa, Okla. Doors will open at 1p CDT and interested bidders should register on site 30 minutes prior to the start of the auctions. Registration is free.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here      

Let’s be honest, not many of the 60 plus homes available this weekend in the Live & Absolute Auction are ready for immediate move in and house warming party. There’s work to be done first. I mean come on, no matter how bad the economy is you’re not getting a ready-made dream house with no reserve and starting bids of a couple thousand.

And while most of the repairs aren’t going to break the bank, a new roof, if needed is a substantial investment. So here are a few tips if you going to need to price out a new lid for your bargain bungalow.

While most roof systems are designed to provide adequate service with minor repairs for up to 20 years (some types, such as copper, slate or clay tile may actually last longer), sooner or later you’re going to have to pay for a complete replacement or a re-cover of the existing system. With the steep price tag attached to either service, it’s in your best interest to hire wisely. Before letting the neighborhood handy man climb up on your roof in a pair of spiked golf shoes, bid out the job to at least three qualified contractors.

Things to keep in mind while evaluating each professional roofer are:
• Don’t take a contractor’s word that he carries plenty of insurance. Ask to see a Certificate of Insurance. The policy should provide protection for both liability and workers’ compensation. Make sure that the coverage period extends far enough that your roof will be repaired or replaced before expiration.

• Each state is different (check with your local Department of Professional Regulation) regarding licensing of contractors. If your state requires specific licensing, make sure the contractor is in accordance.

• If possible, select a contractor with a proven track record. Ask for a referral list and call a couple of previous clients for remarks. A good rule of thumb is to contact clients whose work was done at least three years prior. It also can’t hurt to ask about a contractor’s financial situation. Contact the local Better Business Bureau (BBB) for any red flags or complaints. Find out if the contractor belongs to any regional or national industry associations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association (1-800-872-7663).

• Ask how much of the job the contractor will be handling and how much will be subcontracted.

• Get every aspect of the job in writing. The proposal should be detailed and explain what work will be done, how much it will cost, when it will be completed and what warranties are included for the price. Take extra time to read all the provisions of the warranty as some can be voided based on a number of factors. A good warranty should cover any defects in materials on a repair for three years and up to five years on a new system.

• When the project is completed, make sure that, before making the final payment, your contractor will provide you with a lien release. This will cover you if one of the contractor’s subs or vendors claims it wasn’t properly compensated for services or materials.

Live & Absolute Home Auction

When: June 20, 2009
Where: Tulsa, Okla.
Auction Time: 3pE/2pC
What's The Deal?: Over 60 homes will be sold absolute without reserve to the highest bidders during a live, televised auction conducted by Auction Network in partnership with Williams & Williams. Interested buyers from around the globe can bid in person, online or over the telephone on single family homes in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and many other states across America. The live event coverage will be broadcast nationally on ION Television Network on Dish Network Ch. 217 and DIRECTV Ch. 347 and on Golden Eagle Broadcasting (GEB) locally (in Tulsa) on KGEB 53, Cox Cable 23 and online at auctionnetwork.com. Buyers planning to bid remotely via the Internet are encouraged to pre-register at auctionnetwork.com. Bids can also be placed over the telephone during the live event by calling 1.866.231.8011. The Live Absolute Home Auctions event presented by Auction Network and Williams & Williams will also take place in front of a live audience at the Golden Eagle Broadcast Center located at 81st and Lewis in Tulsa, Okla. Doors will open at 1p CDT and interested bidders should register on site 30 minutes prior to the start of the auctions. Registration is free.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here      

The weather outside the Los Angeles Convention Center isn’t exactly red carpet friendly, but after a week of build up and blogging it’s time for the 51st Grammy auction, gala dinner and concerts. Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Faith Hill, Kid Rock, Tim McGraw … they are all here and will provide some of the night’s performances. Jimmy Kimmel will be cracking wise between stage breaks and Neil Diamond (this year’s MusiCares Person of the Year) will wrap things up with a performance.

But before the bubbly starts pouring (at least on camera), we’ve got an auction to cover. One hundred and three lots, many from the personal collection of the late Andy Budde (a producer who worked with The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Stevie Winwood, David Bowie and others), are ready to find new homes.

The items assembled tonight represent over 70 years of music history from early jazz greats to rock 'n' roll legends. The auction features an extensive amount of Rolling Stones and Beatles memorabilia. Also up for bid are stage-played guitars from David Bowie and Eric Clapton, as well as Frank Sinatra and Elton John signed recording contracts and memorabilia from Bob Dylan. A 20% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price on individual lots $50,000 and higher, and a 25% buyer's premium on all individual lots of $0-$49,000. There will be an additional 3% buyer's premium charged for lots won on Auction Network.

This year’s 51st Grammy Awards charity auction benefiting MusiCares is airing live on Auction Network … and I’ll be keeping a running diary of all the action.  And before you hear it 100 times tonight, it’s not too late to register and bid. Click here to get squared away and then get back … I’m waiting.

4:39 p.m.: We’re a little over an hour away from auctioneer Daniel (You'll Spend That Much By Mistake) Kruse’s first “sold.” Our host tonight is Tava Smiley (below, right). The rest of the crew includes Leila Dunbar (below, left), former CNN reporter Janine Sharell handing the red carpet interviews and Chris Simon snapping photos, keeping Daniel sedated and wondering if gophers get 1099’ed.

5:00 p.m.: Tava and Leila are on the clock. And Tava has just made the first prediction … bidding will be better than last year. If not, the difference comes out of her talent fee. Hold on, did she just say she was going to imagine Daniel in Britney Spears’ stage-worn dress? I need a drink. It is 5 o’clock, right?

5:21 p.m.: Janine, standing inside the red carpet tent … I told you the weather blew … says that among the celebrities expected to breeze by her include Adele, Eric Benet, Terence Blanchard, the Jonas Brothers, Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson, members of Urge Overkill, Jimmy Jam, Chris Cornell, Jason Mraz, Brian Wilson, John Stamos, Meatloaf and possibly Sir Paul McCartney. Maybe one or two will even stop. At least while they dry off. I've got $5 that says someone will utter the phrase, "You're all wet." Takers?

5:28 p.m.: Robby Krieger. Al Bundy. Lookalikes? It’s going to be a great night for Leila … she’s on her A game.

5:31 p.m.: Here we go … $275 for the Spice Girls promotional poster for the single "Wannabe" signed by all five members. Not bad considering ... it's the Spice Girls. Little over the pre-auction estimate of $150-$200.

5:34 p.m.: First surprise of the night. Bidding for the Madonna Interview magazine signed by Spears' one-time make-out partner and Andy Warhol, who I don't think ever locked lips with Baby One More Time, jumped to $2,100. Estimate was $1,200. Who’s bidding and who’s scratching?

5:38 p.m.: Guitars usually sell well and the Police signed Stratocaster (lot 4) grabbed $2,750. “Money for Nothing” my butt … the Dire Straits’s signed Brothers in Arms record sleeve (lot 6) sold for $900 (estimate $200-$400).

5:39 p.m.: Slow down Daniel …  I don’t even have time to be a smart ass. Leila is modeling Elton John’s hat (lot 8). Can she drive the price up? The gallery is out at $400. Take a sip and bid … love this guy. Auction Network buyer grabs it for $500. 

5:46 p.m.: The Boss is on the clock. Edited lyrics to “Mary Lou” (lot 10) were a bargain at $1,000. What about the signed Born in the U.S.A. album (lot 11) and Annie Leibovitz's outtake photograph (lot 12)? Born scored $1,700, but Annie should have gotten her gun …  someone stole the photo for $500.

5:49 p.m.: Get those fingers across the keys. Daniel never met a cliché’ he didn’t like.

5:51 p.m.: That was uncomfortable. Daniel wanted $10,000 for James Brown’s worn jacket (lot 17). Bidding starts at $250. Wish I had room on the credit card. Finally it sells for $600. That’s sad.

5:56 p.m.: Not a lot of love for Buddy Holly and the Crickets (lot 19/$970, lot 20/$500 and lot 21/$500). Mark those down in the bargain bin. Surely Stevie Ray Vaughan’s signed $10 (lot 22) can get closer to estimates ($800-$1,200). Waiting. Waiting.

6:00 p.m.: That’s more like it … Stevie’s collectible scores $3,250. 

6:01 p.m.: Earlier in the week there was a panic at Julien’s Auctions when it was discovered that Roy Orbison’s sunglasses (lot 29) were missing. I mean, who could put these in their pocket and get away with wearing them down the street? That look isn’t really in … or is it? I don’t get out much. 

6:04 p.m.: First star sighting … none other than Vince Neal of Motley Crue. It’s not even the pudgy Neal. Come on Vince, get the Crue back in the studio before Tommy Lee goes back to rapping.

6:07 p.m.: We’ve got $2,400 for Roy’s glasses. Come on now. Roy won four Grammys. Show some respect. 

6:10 p.m.: That’s more like it … $6,500 for the glasses. 

6:12 p.m.: The first of 12 consecutive Beatle lots brings $5,000 (lot 30/all four signatures in a record display of the song “Love Me Do”).

6:17 p.m.: Our first bidding war of the night. Some guy with a red bow tie (bidder 627) is going head-to-head with the Internet for lot 32 (all four of the Beatles’ signatures). And he wins for $7,500. 

6:19 p.m.: Room is starting to fill up. Those of you looking for bargains should have shown up 20 minutes ago. I can smell cash. Sip and bid. 

6:20 p.m.: OK … who is the floor bidder in the gold dress with the great smile. Did I just type that out loud?

6:24 p.m.: This Beatles gold matte record for “Hey Jude” (lot 38) should bring some decent coin. Valued at $7,000-$9,000.

6:26 p.m.: $5,000? Are you kidding me? Is it a cash bar in there? 

6:30 p.m.: We nearly passed on the rare original John Lennon and Howard Smith interview tape (lot 42). Out of nowhere … $500.  What can I say other than wow!

6:32 p.m.: There’s the man of the hour … Neil Diamond.

6:39 p.m.: Remember when I said the bargain bidding was over? Yeah, that’s why I don’t work as a palm reader. Not a lot of love for ‘60s items. I mean, a Moby Grape and Big Brother at the Ark poster (lot 50) only goes for $75. You can hardly buy a framed High School Musical poster at the mall for under $100. What’s wrong with people?

6:42 p.m.: Someone give Daniel a $50 bid for lot 54. Bueler? Bueler? Sell it before they change their mind.

6:45 p.m.: I think Tava just had a Jimi moment.

6:49 p.m.: The guitars are still doing well. Pete Townshend’s signed acoustic guitar (lot 60) brings $6,000.

6:53 p.m.: Zeppelin is on the clock. A Jimmy Page photo (lot 65) scores $1,750 (estimate $800) and the bidding is at $4,500 for a signed Led Zeppelin II (lot 66). Estimate was $2,000.

6:55 p.m.: Phone bidder grabbed the album for $8,000. But a copy of Led Zeppelin IV with only three signatures (everyone but John Bonham) only goes for $2,000.

7:03 p.m.: On the red carpet, Meatloaf is telling Janine about his first auction experience in New York City. Did he just say he bid $4 million? Must be nice. It would scare you to know how many times we sang "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" around 1 a.m. on a Friday night in college. It was just one of those things you had to join in on. 

7:09 p.m.: Eric Clapton’s stage-played and signed Fender Stratocaster (lot 76) just sold for $40,000. And now we’re cutting to Josh Groban. Is that a halo I see? Wouldn’t we all like to adopt him? 

7:12 p.m.: Andy Williams is still alive? Good to see him. Glad that wasn’t a trivia question … I’d have lost.

7:14 p.m.: Just a little over 20 lots left. And there’s Pat Boone who is wishing some big names had shown up. Sarcasim mode dialed way up. I still have a copy of Pat Boone: In a Metal Mood. Who’ll give me $10?

7:21 p.m.: Freddie Mercury. I wish that guy was still with us. Hell of a showman. Why am I talking so much about death? Man, this is depressing. I need a hug.

7:24 p.m.: Glad to see the Queen lots (lot 86 and 87) go in bidding wars. Don't want to beg here, but come on guys ... no more Paul Rogers albums. Love the old Bad Company stuff, but mixing Queen and Rogers isn't exactly like mixing chocolate and peanut butter if you get my drift.

7:27 p.m.: I think the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) president (Neil Portnow) just bought Neil Diamond’s 1956 white Ford Thunderbird (lot 87a) for $75,000. Can we get a clarification? That's one cherry ride.

7:33 p.m.: Why hasn’t Tava been a bigger star? She’s great. And it’s official that Portnow bought the Diamond car. The two plan on going for a joy ride. Is there a Thelma & Louise sequal brewing?

7:35 p.m.: Is there somewhere Daniel needs to be? We’re flying through the Rolling Stones items. I can’t even keep up. 

7:39 p.m.: My favorite piece in this auction (the Guns N’ Roses album cover pencil art/lot 101) eclipsed my budget by … oh … $5,500.  

7:41 p.m.: The King has left the building with the final lot (Elvis Presley’s worn vest from Spinout). Estimate was $2,000-$4,000 and goes for $2,500.

7:42 p.m.: Hold on. We’ve got a Keith Richards personalized signed Vespa vest. And it goes for $3,000. Jason Marz has caught Janine’s eye (above, right). What we're done? That's it ... 

Gallery: Check out some of the behind-the-scenes action that was captured by Chris Simon:

Chris Greer serves as editorial content manager for Auction Network. He has covered rodeo for ESPN.com, college and professional stick-and-ball sports for whoever had the deepest pockets and entertainment news that’s ranged from New York’s Toy Fair and Ozzy Osbourne’s estate auction to Larry The Cable Guy's Oscar bid and the Oklahoma music scene (yes, there is such a thing).
  

In hommage to the tracks on Appetite for Destruction, over the next 12 days leading up to the Grammy Awards Auction (Feb. 6),  I’ll profile (and poke fun at) others, like Guns N' Roses, that ascended to musical royalty and then became fodder for this blog.

The 51st Grammy Awards auction sort of snuck up on me and I’ve still got three Appetite tracks to cover. So let’s stop burning daylight …

Track 10: “You’re Crazy” ... Dedicated to the Ringo Starr Award Winners

Despite fans holding vigils outside The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England shouting “Pete forever. Ringo never,” The Beatles replaced Pete Best with Richard “Ringo Starr” Starkey in 1962. And while Starr had gained some notoriety for his unique drumming with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, he wasn’t exactly John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

On many occassions while a member of the world’s most famous band, Starr would openly complain about being the odd man out when it came to songwriting contributions. There were even rumors that Starr’s drum parts weren’t used on the final pressings of some singles. This all came to a boiling point during the recording of the White Album. Starr quit the band. He can thank his lucky royalty checks that he came to his senses and returned.

I mean seriously. Give me the choice to either play mop up minutes for the Boston Celtics or start for the (insert your favorite crappy team here) and you’d see me on national television during the NBA Finals handing water bottles to Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce during timeouts.

And Starr wasn’t the first or last to get a ticket to easy street thanks to a chance meeting, catch-phrase (whatever happened to the “Where’s the Beef?” lady?), toy or song. For instance, there are eight artists/groups that have sold over four million copies of a single. The elite list includes Elton John (“Candle in the Wind”), USA for Africa (“We Are the World”), Elvis (“Hound Dog/Don’t Be Cruel”), The Beatles (“Hey Jude”) and Whitney Houston (“I Will Always Love You”).

No real shocker, right? But did you know that the other three Ringo “Lucky” Starr wannabes sharing this rare air of musical history are Flo Rida (“Low”), Tag Team (“Whoomp! There It Is”) and Los Del Rio (“Macarena”).

Now that’s crazy.

Track 11: “Anything Goes” ... Dedicated to Hootie & the Blowfish

There wasn’t a bigger band between 1994-96 then the quartet (pictured above) from South Carolina that included no Hootie or anyone nicknamed Blowfish. The band fronted by Darius Rucker sold 16 million copies of their mainstream debut album Cracked Rear View.

You had a better chance of walking into a bar and NOT seeing a woman copying “The Rachel” hairstyle then you did of turning on the radio and NOT hearing “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry,” “Only Wanna Be With You” or “Time.” It was almost obnoxious how much radio play that album got.

Rucker — along with Dean Felber (bass), Jim Sonefeld (drums) and Mark Bryan (guitar) — won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist beating out Brandy, Alanis Morissette, Joan Osborne and Shania Twain.

The future looked promising. At least until the band’s sophomore effort Fairweather Johnson (1996) sold only a fourth of Cracked. This was followed by three more “bombs,” by Cracked standards and by 2008 members were swapping wives and Rucker had gone country. 

Track 12: “Rocket Queen” ... Dedicated to Freddie Mercury

If you’re looking for a steal in this auction, you’ll get your shot with lot 86 and lot 87.

Auctions like this Grammy one, typically have ups and downs where bidding and prices climb and then a few lots come up while people are regaining their composure and checking their credit card limits. Sandwiched between some great Eric Clapton items — including a stage played and signed Fender Stratocaster (lot 76) and a stage-worn suit (lot 77) — and Neil Diamond’s vintage Ford Thunderbird Convertible (lot 87a) are two Queen pieces.

Lot 86 is an “Innuendo” record cover complete with the signatures of all four original Queen members including Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Brian May and Roger Taylor. This single, from the album of the same name, was the last release by the band before Mercury died. Another chance to secure something with Mercury’s signature comes at lot 87 which is a piece of stationery for Bedwyn Aid marked “Queen ’85.” Signed by all four, this item is from Queen’s performance during Live Aid.

The pre-auction estimates on both pieces ($500-$700 for lot 86 and $300-$500 for lot 87) are reasonably low and could be yours if you Watch, Bid and Win during our live broadcast of the auction. During the live auction, beginning at 8pE/5pP, I’ll be blogging with behind-the-scenes info and auction item updates. And keep your bidder paddles down when the Guns N’ Roses original album cover pencil art (lot 101) comes up for bid … it’s mine.

51st Annual Grammy Awards Live Charity Auction

When: Feb. 6, 2009
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Auction Time: 8pE/5pP
What's The Deal?: The items assembled represent over 70 years of music history from early jazz greats to rock 'n' roll legends. The auction features the generously donated collection of producer Andy Budde, with an extensive amount of Rolling Stones and Beatles memorabilia. Also up for bid are stage-played guitars from David Bowie and Eric Clapton, as well as Frank Sinatra and Elton John signed recording contracts and memorabilia from Bob Dylan. A 20% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price on individual lots $50,000 and higher, and a 25% buyer's premium on all individual lots of $0-$49,000. There will be an additional 3% buyer's premium charged for lots won on Auction Network.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here      

In hommage to the tracks on Appetite for Destruction, over the next 12 days leading up to the Grammy Awards Auction (Feb. 6),  I’ll profile (and poke fun at) others, like Guns N' Roses, that ascended to musical royalty and then became fodder for this blog.

Track 9: “Sweet Child O' Mine” ... Dedicated to Prodigies with "Gifts"

Growing up a military brat, my family never stayed at one Air Force base longer than three years. I didn’t have the “pleasure” of growing up with the same kids from elementary through high school … and sometimes … into the working world. I had jeans and one bout of acne that lasted longer than those early friendships.

Most of the time this kind of blew. Packing and unpacking. New schools and bullies. Having to re-establish my rep as a lady’s man. I was known to hook up the honeys with an extra carton of milk from time to time.

The exception was when my dad got orders that we were leaving Lakenheath AFB (England) and heading to Luke AFB (Arizona). It would be the last I would see of Mike Schroeder.

Mike was a freak. Nice as hell, but awkward and had a tendency to trip over his feet even when standing at the water fountain. He was a good foot taller than anyone in my class. We all called him Frank (as in Frankenstein) and he would constantly remind us that his name was, “Mike not Frank.” My dad told us that Mike’s elevator didn’t go to the top floor. This didn’t make any sense since Mike’s base house, like ours, was a single story.

In the middle of sixth grade we started taking PE class. Not sure how PE was run at your school, but our gym teacher insisted we take showers after 30 minutes of dodge ball and rope climbing. None of this slidding your jeans over sweaty shorts for the rest of the day. And keep in mind that this was 1980 and I was pretty much a bubble bath guy.

So off I go ... Star Wars towel wrapped around my waist and football shaped soap-on-a-rope around my neck. Most my buddies showered like they are being frisked ... nose and knees to the wall. At that age none us let our vision drop below eye level and kept “exposure” time to a minimum.

But not Frank.

There he was ... in all his glory. And glory be if he wasn’t ... ugh ... different. My best friend Charles asked me if I thought Frank had gotten stung and was swelling. I had no clue. All I knew was that Frank was a man among boys. It took only one lunch period for us to spread the news to the rest of the school. By week’s end Frank was the most popular kid in school.

We all grew to hate Frank and his gift. If Frank had been blessed like Good Will Hunting, Michael Jackson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bobby Fischer, Pablo Picasso or Billy Gilman, he’d have a Wikipedia entry instead of his classmates jealous scorn.

But what does this trip down Boogie Nights avenue have to do with Guns N’ Roses’ third single from Appetite for Destruction? I’m not really sure other than I started off writing about musical children prodigies or wunderkinds (get it … “Sweet Child O’ Mine”?) and the Mike/Frank memory came back to me.

So to get on target … 

At the age of 12 years and 273 days, Billy Gilman (above) was the youngest person ever nominated for a Grammy (Best Male Country Performance). On the strength of the 2000 top 20 hit “One Voice,” Billy earned a standing ovation at the Academy of Country Music Awards before losing the Grammy to Johnny Cash. Sadly, Billy found out what Peter Brady meant when he wallowed through the song “Time to Change”. So as Billy grew up, he and his label (Sony Music) grew apart. And poor Billy was left finding dates for the Saddie Hawkins dance at school.

And LeAnn Rimes, at age 14, was the youngest person to win a Grammy.

Cool?

Now I’m going to Facebook and look for Mike Schroeder. I need closure.

Friday (Feb. 6, 2009): Track 10: “You’re Crazy” ... Dedicated to the Ringo Starr Award Winners

Friday (Feb. 6, 2009): Track 11: “Anything Goes” ... Dedicated to Hootie & the Blowfish

Friday (Feb. 6, 2009): Track 12: “Rocket Queen” ... Dedicated to Freddie Mercury

51st Annual Grammy Awards Live Charity Auction
When: Feb. 6, 2009
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Auction Time: 8pE/5pP
What's The Deal?: The items assembled represent over 70 years of music history from early jazz greats to rock 'n' roll legends. The auction features the generously donated collection of producer Andy Budde, with an extensive amount of Rolling Stones and Beatles memorabilia. Also up for bid are stage-played guitars from David Bowie and Eric Clapton, as well as Frank Sinatra and Elton John signed recording contracts and memorabilia from Bob Dylan. A 20% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price on individual lots $50,000 and higher, and a 25% buyer's premium on all individual lots of $0-$49,000. There will be an additional 3% buyer's premium charged for lots won on Auction Network.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here      

In hommage to the tracks on Appetite for Destruction, over the next 12 days leading up to the Grammy Awards Auction (Feb. 6),  I’ll profile (and poke fun at) others, like Guns N' Roses, that ascended to musical royalty and then became fodder for this blog.

Track 8: “Think About You” ... Dedicated to Top 5 Grammy Moments

Who doesn’t have a favorite Grammy moment?

For some it might be when The Beatles finally won Album of the Year in 1968 for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Or the night in 1983 that Marvin Gaye unleashed “Sexual Healing” ... less than a year before being murdered. Others might think it was 2000 when Carlos Santana, on the strength of Supernatural, tied Michael Jackson for most awards won by a single artist in one year (eight).

With 50 years of Grammy good and bad to pick from it’s hard to nail down a definitive list, but I’m writing this blog … so in tribute to Izzy Stradlin’s “Think About You,” … here are the five things I think about when the Grammy Awards return each year.

5. Don’t Tread On Me: I was fired up to learn that the Grammys, which tends to skew older and 10 years behind the times, finally decided to wake up to the fact that hard rock was dominating radio and television with a category for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 1989. Of the five nominees, I thought it was going to be a two-band race between Jane’s Addiction (Nothing’s Shocking) and Metallica (…And Justice For All).

And the winner is: Jethro Tull.

For those of you who don’t follow hard rock, this was the equivallent of having a beauty contest field consisting of Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Megan Fox, Stacy Keibler and Will Ferrell … and Ferrell getting the tiara.

My college roommate and I each had $5 on our favorite: mine Metallica; his was AC/DC (Blow Up Your Video).

Jethro Frickin Tull? In protest of the screw job that had just unfolded we did what any two cash-strapped college kids would do: we tore both $5 bills in half and high-fived in a show of sticking it to the man. Problem was the next day “the man” probably ate. I didn’t get paid for another two days.

4. Did You Get a Load of Her Pipes?: Two months before the 2007 Grammy Awards, we lost the Godfather of Soul. During the telecast Christina Aguilera (above) took the stage dressed in white and belted out a rendition of James Brown’s No. 1 hit “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” The performance, including a montage of Brown images in the background, brought the celebrity heavy crowd to it’s feet.

Those who voted for Britney Spears over Aguilera in 2000 for Grammy’s Best New Artist were immediately drug from the building and beat with a copy of Back to Basics.

3. Can’t Get No Satisfaction: In any award show there is always the make-good award. It’s when a talented actor, entertainer or musician gets Susan Lucci-ed year after year to the point where it’s uncomfortable to watch the envelope opened. Clint Eastwood had to wait until 2005 to win his first of five Oscars (director for Million Dollar Baby) and Lucci, who starred on ABC’s All My Children, had to lose 18 times before grabbing a Daytime Emmy Award.

The Grammys are no different.

The Rolling Stones released their first self-titled album in 1964. The band even earned Lifetime Achievement recognition in 1986, but still had ZERO Grammy awards to show for the decades of music. That is until 1994, when the band scored two trophys for Voodoo Lounge. Twenty-two albums including Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Some Girls were released before the Stones struck Grammy goodness.

2. Read My Lips: When there is money to be made and status to be awarded, there is always one or two out there who will do just about anything to grab both. Remember Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus?

Discovered in a Berlin dance club, Rob and Fab were recruited by producer Frank Farian to be the “faces” of his new project Milli Vanilli. Too bad they were faces that couldn’t sing, because Americans ate up the two choreographed kings with the hair extensions and bright matching suits.

At the 1990 Grammy Awards after “performing,” the duo were presented by Young MC and Kris Kristofferson the Grammy for Best New Artist. Thanks to hits like “Girl You Know It’s True,” “Blame it On the Rain,” and “Baby Don’t Forget My Number,” the two beat out Neneh Cherry, Indigo Girls, Soul II Soul and Tone Loc. In the acceptance speech one of them, in a moment of hope and support, tells other bands and artists that, “they can achieve the same award that we won today.” He failed to mention the part about deception and being forced to lip-sync in concerts.

Once the truth came out that Farian had used other singers for the album All or Nothing, Milli Vanilli was stripped of their Grammy.

1. Stage Fright: Want to shake up a by-the-numbers awards show? Invite Ol’ Dirty Bastard.

It wasn’t exactly a naked Robert Opel running past David Niven during the Academy Awards in 1974, but in 1998 ODB did his own crash much to the chagrin of Shawn Colvin.

Earlier in the night ODB’s band, Wu-Tang Clan, lost to Puff Daddy in the Best Rap Album category. And as anyone with a shred of dignity would do when faced with disappointment, ODB took it upon himself to let the world know he wasn’t happy. As Shawn Colvin came out to accept the Song of the Year Grammy for “Sunny Came Home,” ODB grabbed the microphone and let everyone know that “… when it comes to the children, Wu-Tang is for the children.” Colvin, obviously caught off-guard, was left saying, “I’m confused now.” High comedy. 

Check out the clip:

Thursday (Feb. 5, 2009): “Sweet Child O' Mine” … Dedicated to Prodigies with "Gifts"

51st Annual Grammy Awards Live Charity Auction
When: Feb. 6, 2009
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Auction Time: 8pE/5pP
What's The Deal?: The items assembled represent over 70 years of music history from early jazz greats to rock 'n' roll legends. The auction features the generously donated collection of producer Andy Budde, with an extensive amount of Rolling Stones and Beatles memorabilia. Also up for bid are stage-played guitars from David Bowie and Eric Clapton, as well as Frank Sinatra and Elton John signed recording contracts and memorabilia from Bob Dylan. A 20% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price on individual lots $50,000 and higher, and a 25% buyer's premium on all individual lots of $0-$49,000. There will be an additional 3% buyer's premium charged for lots won on Auction Network.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here      

In hommage to the tracks on Appetite for Destruction, over the next 12 days leading up to the Grammy Awards Auction (Feb. 6),  I’ll profile (and poke fun at) others, like Guns N' Roses, that ascended to musical royalty and then became fodder for this blog.

Track 7: “My Michelle” ... Dedicated to Julian Lennon

Michelle Young wanted someone to write a song about her. Thanks to a friendship with Slash and Axl Rose she got her wish.

After hearing Elton John’s “Your Song” playing on the radio, Young, who had been friends with Slash since junior high, coaxed the GNRers into putting pen to paper. A sappy first draft was scrapped in favor of a darker tune that focused on Young’s addiction issues, her father’s work in the porno industry and the passing of her mother.

Not exactly Hallmark type stuff, but Young was excited.

Who wouldn’t be?

It’s not every day that you get a chance to be immortalized in song … without being dead. Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana of Wales (John’s “Candle in the Wind”), Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens (Don McLean’s “American Pie”) David Cole (Boyz II Men/Mariah Carey “One Sweet Day”) and John Lennon (John’s “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” come to mind.

Julian Lennon is one who got “his song” while still recording a pulse.

In 1968, Julian’s parents (Beatle John Lennon and wife Cynthia Lennon) were separating due primarily to John’s affair with Yoko Ono. To help comfort the 5-year-old boy, Paul McCartney composed “Hey Jude” (originally called “Hey Jules”) on his way to visit Julian and his mother.

“Hey Jude” earned Grammy nominations, but failed to caputure one. It did go on to sell over eight million copies.

And Julian? Despite growing up in his father’s immense shadow, Julian scored commerical success with his 1984 debut album Valotte that included top-10 singles in “Too Late for Goodbyes” and “Valotte.”

In the Grammy auction, you can snap up a 1968 citation of achievement presented to John Lennon for “Hey Jude”. Lot 36, given to John Lennon by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) reads, “To John Lennon in recognition of the great national popularity as measured by broadcast performance …” At Lot 38, you’ll find a presentation gold album for “Hey Jude” that was presented to The Beatles.

Other Beatles items available include:
•    Lot 30: A record display (19 ½ x 24 inches) containing a cut sheet with all four members’ signatures, sheet music and a 7-inch copy of “Love Me Do.”
•    Lot 31: Tollie Records 45 rpm sampler for “P.S. I Love You” housed with the album and a photograph of The Beatles.
•    Lot 32: Paper signed by John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
•    Lot 33: Concert ticket and handbill from the Aug. 23, 1966, Shea Stadium concert from The Beatles’ final tour.
•    Lot 34: An Apple Records platinum presentation award for the single “Let It Be.” It was presented to John Lennon.
•    Lot 35: Cut sheet signed by Lennon, Harrison and “Ringo Starr” penned by McCartney on Hotel George V stationery. The lot also includes six vintage black and white photoraphs of The Beatles with fans.
•    Lot 39: A presentation gold album award for the single “Woman.”
•    Lot 40: Wooden spoon signed by John Lennon in blue pen and by Yoko Ono in black marker, dated “1969.”
•    Lot 41: Metal saucepan lid with black handle signed on interior by John Lennon in black marker and by Yoko Ono in blue marker, dated “1969.”
•    Lot 42: Unreleased audiotape interview between Howard Smith and John Lennon.

Wednesday (Feb. 4, 2009): “Think About You” … Dedicated to Top 5 Grammy Moments

51st Annual Grammy Awards Live Charity Auction
When: Feb. 6, 2009
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Auction Time: 8pE/5pP
What's The Deal?: The items assembled represent over 70 years of music history from early jazz greats to rock 'n' roll legends. The auction features the generously donated collection of producer Andy Budde, with an extensive amount of Rolling Stones and Beatles memorabilia. Also up for bid are stage-played guitars from David Bowie and Eric Clapton, as well as Frank Sinatra and Elton John signed recording contracts and memorabilia from Bob Dylan. A 20% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price on individual lots $50,000 and higher, and a 25% buyer's premium on all individual lots of $0-$49,000. There will be an additional 3% buyer's premium charged for lots won on Auction Network.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here      

In hommage to the tracks on Appetite for Destruction, over the next 12 days leading up to the Grammy Awards Auction (Feb. 6),  I’ll profile (and poke fun at) others, like Guns N' Roses, that ascended to musical royalty and then became fodder for this blog.

Track 6: “Paradise City” ... Dedicated to American Idol

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today meaning winter will last another six weeks. An estimated 13,000 descended on Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania -- some decked out in six-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers garb -- to get the forecast.

I wonder if Phil has predicting powers that indicate when a television show should go into hibernation.

American Idol, created by Simon Fuller, is heading into Hollywood Week of season eight on FOX. The immensly popular “reality” show has served as a launching pad for some real talent and the not so talented (William Hung and Sanjaya Malakar). And while, in full disclosure, I never watched until season five, I wonder if the show has run it’s course.

For GNR, Paradise City (written in the back of rental van as the band was returning to LA from a gig in San Francisco) was a place “Where the gass is green and the girls are pretty.” Which sums up Idol once it pairs the wanna-bes into the a final group. Pretty faces all hoping to stay alive long enough to secure a little piece of paradise in the form of a record contract, notability or at least a chance to show up on one of the VH1 reality shows (i.e. Ryan Starr on Surreal Life and Nikki McKibbin on Celebrity Rehab). Instead of grass, the only green that matters is the cash Cowell and record labels rake in once they have the contestants under contract. By some accounts, the revenue from recordings by Idol contestants has exceeded $100 million.

Idol, dubbed the “Death Star” by some competing network officials because of the show’s ability to kill other programs airing in the same time slot, has seen a decline in viewership since season six.

Through seven seasons a little over 70 contestants have made it to the public voting stage, but only a handful have made an impact post show. While on the show, the contestants develop rabid fan groups, crying supporters and the attention usually reserved for A-list celebrities. But once the season's winner is announced and they’ve finished their contractual commitment (including a finals tour following show), most fade into obscurity and become answers to trivia questions.

Question: Which former Idol contestant helped pen the Fantasia Barrino single "I Believe"?

Answer: Season one's Tamyra Gray

Of the eight winners, only two have shown lasting power beyond the initial launch of their debut albums: Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Undersood.

Season one winner Clarkson has won two Grammys, sold over 12 million albums and survived the horrible From Justin to Kelly movie.  Clarkson’s fourth album is set to be released in March.

Country crooner Underwood, who beat out Bo Bice (my pick) in season four, became the first Idol to sweep all three major music awards (American Music, Billboard and Grammy Awards) in a single season (2006-07).

But while the winners usually disappoint (season seven winner David Cook has only had his album out a month), it’s been the voted off that have shown more muscle.

Clay Aiken was the first non-winning Idol to record a No. 1 hit with “This Is The Night.” Fellow season two contestant, Josh Gracin, has had a couple county songs hit as has Kellie Pickler from season five.

Jennifer Hudson (season three) wasn’t “good” enough to finish in the top three yet she went note-for-note with Beyonce in her Oscar winning Dreamgirls debut. And fourth-place finisher Chris Daughtry (season five) has sold over five million copies of Daughtry.

Idol started off with the premise of “discovering” hidden talent but over the last couple of seasons the producers, Cowell and fellow judges (Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and this season’s Kara DioGuardi) have moved the show more into an hour-long commerical for Ford, Coke,“celebrity” mentors and fodder for host Ryan Seacrest’s radio show.

And it’s not a receipe that deserves to be continually repeatedly … Groundhog Day or not.

Bonus Question: Which winner has covered Guns N' Roses in concert?

Answer: Carrie Underwood performed "Paradise City" during her encores on the Carnival Ride tour.

Tuesday (Feb. 3, 2009): “My Michelle” … Dedicated to Julian Lennon

51st Annual Grammy Awards Live Charity Auction
When: Feb. 6, 2009
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Auction Time: 8pE/5pP
What's The Deal?: The items assembled represent over 70 years of music history from early jazz greats to rock 'n' roll legends. The auction features the generously donated collection of producer Andy Budde, with an extensive amount of Rolling Stones and Beatles memorabilia. Also up for bid are stage-played guitars from David Bowie and Eric Clapton, as well as Frank Sinatra and Elton John signed recording contracts and memorabilia from Bob Dylan. A 20% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price on individual lots $50,000 and higher, and a 25% buyer's premium on all individual lots of $0-$49,000. There will be an additional 3% buyer's premium charged for lots won on Auction Network.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here      

In hommage to the tracks on Appetite for Destruction, over the next 12 days leading up to the Grammy Awards Auction (Feb. 6),  I’ll profile (and poke fun at) others, like Guns N' Roses, that ascended to musical royalty and then became fodder for this blog.

Track 5: “Mr. Brownstone” ... Dedicated to Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse was only 4 years old and an ocean away when Slash and Izzy Stradlin wrote “Mr. Brownstone” while sitting around complaining to each other about being heroin addicts. Brownstone is a slang term for heroin.

And as we’ve all read, Mrs. Winehouse, who originally signed with American Idol Simon Fuller’s company (19 Management), allegedly loves her some heroin … and some crack …. and some ecstasy … and some …. well you get the point.

Wasn’t it only a year ago that a 24-year-old Winehouse owned the 50th Grammy Awards taking home five trophies? It was a first for a British singer. Remember, how she somehow kept herself upright via a satellite link from London and blew through “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good”? Satellite link? Oh yeah, did you forget how she was denied a visa. Probably a heartbreaker to the airline company that would have dealt with her “locked” in a tube for six to eight hours.

And who was able to keep the tears from streaking down their face when she dedicated the Record of the Year trophy to her jailed husband, “My Blake. My Blake incarcerated.” The other half of this Sid and Nancy pair, Blake Fielder-Civil, who has been quoted as saying he introduced Winehouse to crack and heroin, had to blow kisses from the confines of his prison cell where he’s serving time for assault and perverting the course of justice.

The Grammy winning Back to Black sold 5.1 million copies in 2008.

Since grabbing Grammy gold, the singer ... with tattered tresses, fangs and looking like the evil offspring of Jim Carrey’s In Living Color character Vera de Milo and Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx ... has become a tabloid darling. Hospitalizations. Drug overdoses. Cancelled concerts. Self-harm. Hell, she even missed her own 25th birthday party.

Forget who will win the toss during the Super Bowl … what kind of action can I get on when she’ll join the list of talented, but conflicted musicians who left without an encore (Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, John Bonham, Janis Joplin)?

Slash despite a few setbacks and the help of MusiCares was finally able to kick his habit. So there is hope for Winehouse, but only if she chooses to leave “Mr. Brownstone” … and file down those teeth.

Monday (Feb. 2, 2009): “Paradise City” … Dedicated to American Idol 

51st Annual Grammy Awards Live Charity Auction
When: Feb. 6, 2009
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Auction Time: 8pE/5pP
What's The Deal?: The items assembled represent over 70 years of music history from early jazz greats to rock 'n' roll legends. The auction features the generously donated collection of producer Andy Budde, with an extensive amount of Rolling Stones and Beatles memorabilia. Also up for bid are stage-played guitars from David Bowie and Eric Clapton, as well as Frank Sinatra and Elton John signed recording contracts and memorabilia from Bob Dylan. A 20% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price on individual lots $50,000 and higher, and a 25% buyer's premium on all individual lots of $0-$49,000. There will be an additional 3% buyer's premium charged for lots won on Auction Network.
Register: Click here
View Catalog: Click here