Working on my 58th celebrity auction, this guitar will be auctioned February 2012 with all proceeds benefiting the Heartland Humane Society of Missouri in O'Fallon, MO. Last week I contacted 19 Entertainment, the PR firm handling this years 2011 American Idol tour. Sunday, July 31st, this years tour was at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO. With their approval of 18 Entertainment, I was allowed to participate in the meet and greet scheduled for 4:15 PM. Prior to going upstairs to meet the performers, fans were advised that each of us would receive one cast photo and one signature from each of the American Idol stars. If items were brought to be signed, the stars would not be able to sign that item/items. The groups spokesperson stated we would not be allowed to take individual pictures with any of the stars and that the whole process might seem a bit like "an assembly line". Which the spokesperson apologized for. We could, however, take pictures as we were walking through the line. Given that there was eleven American Idol tour members this year and the large number of fans wanting to meet them, the process was rather impersonal...but very understandable. So that it did not upset others in the group, this guitar was taken in prior to our arrival. I could see from my spot that the stars were signing the guitar. James, the rocker in the group, took the longest to sign with his drawing of two hands giving the peace sign. I had hoped to get a group shot of all eleven holding the guitar to give even more verification of the guitars authenticity. Something I've always done in the past with other guitars I've gotten signed for charity events. I was advised this was also something I should have arranged prior. This guitar is currently the largest single item received thus far for Heartland's upcoming February fundraiser. The high bidder will also receive a signed cast photo, the VIP pass and a letter detailing how, when and where the signatures were obtained, as well as copies of the photo's taken that day of the American Idol group. A very special thank goes out to Natalie with 19 Entertainment for approving my request to have the guitar signed. Judging by what other signed guitars have gone for in the past and, given the popularity of American Idol and this years line up of incredible talent, I would not be surprised if the final bid on this guitar is $1200 to $1500 on auction night. In 1992 I procured items for and helped put together the "1st Annual Ozark Mountain Chili Cook-off & Celebrity Auction" held on the Mickey Gilley Theater parking lot in Branson, MO. We obtained thirty-two celebrity signatures on a similar looking guitar which brought a final bid of $2000. The winning bidder was nationally known romance novelist Janet Daily. Proceeds from that auction benefited a local boys home and a rape crisis facility in the Branson area.