05-01-2008, 09:20 PM
Just like many Taylor Hicks fans, I have a collection of “stuff” and I keep most of it in one place. I own many items purchased at Taylor’s 2007 shows including clothing, a keychain, and a magnet. I own several items purchased on eBay and even more unique items (cookbook & calendar) purchased to support an Alabama charity. There are other things with the Taylor Guitars logo and TaylorMade golf logo that would not be in my closet if I was not a Taylor Hicks fan.
In particular, I enjoy collecting photographs and have recently organized them all by date and/or event. I do not actually collect anything else. I never understood why some women collect dolls or angels or elephants until they own hundreds! The only items in my home that may be considered collections were either collected for me by my mother or handed down to me from my grandmother.
The one item that I have wanted and waited for is a used, signed harmonica. I had plans to one day obtain a Taylor Hicks harmonica and display it in a shadow box with two or three other small items. This would indeed complete my collection…it would be my most treasured piece. On the 2007 tour there were several signed harmonicas sold with COA to the fortunate early birds at the merchandise table in select cities. Even if I had the opportunity to buy one at a concert venue I would feel guilty for spending ~ $300 on a personal indulgence like this.
As a buyer and seller on eBay, I search for Taylor Hicks approximately once a week and not long ago I found a huge lot of items being sold for more than $500. This lot included a signed harp with COA from April ’07 in Kansas City. I was at one of those shows in KC and really wanted this harmonica but already own most of the other items included with it and could not spend that much. One week later I sold some old gold jewelry that I have not worn in 15 years and decided that if the opportunity presented itself again, I would use this “gold money” to buy a signed harp.
I found another one on eBay in late April. After asking the seller several questions to determine authenticity, I was convinced this was the real deal. The seller told me she won this harmonica in a contest she entered and sent me a copy of the e-mail from MusicToday.com! This was indeed one of the “five spit encrusted harmonicas “ many of you will remember. I was not going to be home or near internet connection at the end of the auction so I placed my highest bid of $106.76 for luck as these numbers represent Taylor’s birth date. When I got home that evening I discovered that I was the winner and ended up paying quite a bit less than my highest offer. Joy!
The day the harmonica arrived in the mail, I felt like doing a happy dance.
Why does this small instrument mean so much to someone like me anyway? Because the musician I admire so much made amazing music with it. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know when or where it was used…it is a genuine Hohner Special 20 with the little piece of tape on it and Taylor’s silver Sharpie signature!
Here’s my dilemma:
My five year old son (who plays a little harp himself and wants to be in Tay’s band when he grows up) asked if he could have it! I’m not sure what I’ll do…I hate saying no but I finally have my TH harmonica and want to keep it safe and unused by others. Now I selfishly want another one for my sweet boy. Good Lord, I must be nuts.
In particular, I enjoy collecting photographs and have recently organized them all by date and/or event. I do not actually collect anything else. I never understood why some women collect dolls or angels or elephants until they own hundreds! The only items in my home that may be considered collections were either collected for me by my mother or handed down to me from my grandmother.
The one item that I have wanted and waited for is a used, signed harmonica. I had plans to one day obtain a Taylor Hicks harmonica and display it in a shadow box with two or three other small items. This would indeed complete my collection…it would be my most treasured piece. On the 2007 tour there were several signed harmonicas sold with COA to the fortunate early birds at the merchandise table in select cities. Even if I had the opportunity to buy one at a concert venue I would feel guilty for spending ~ $300 on a personal indulgence like this.
As a buyer and seller on eBay, I search for Taylor Hicks approximately once a week and not long ago I found a huge lot of items being sold for more than $500. This lot included a signed harp with COA from April ’07 in Kansas City. I was at one of those shows in KC and really wanted this harmonica but already own most of the other items included with it and could not spend that much. One week later I sold some old gold jewelry that I have not worn in 15 years and decided that if the opportunity presented itself again, I would use this “gold money” to buy a signed harp.
I found another one on eBay in late April. After asking the seller several questions to determine authenticity, I was convinced this was the real deal. The seller told me she won this harmonica in a contest she entered and sent me a copy of the e-mail from MusicToday.com! This was indeed one of the “five spit encrusted harmonicas “ many of you will remember. I was not going to be home or near internet connection at the end of the auction so I placed my highest bid of $106.76 for luck as these numbers represent Taylor’s birth date. When I got home that evening I discovered that I was the winner and ended up paying quite a bit less than my highest offer. Joy!
The day the harmonica arrived in the mail, I felt like doing a happy dance.
Why does this small instrument mean so much to someone like me anyway? Because the musician I admire so much made amazing music with it. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know when or where it was used…it is a genuine Hohner Special 20 with the little piece of tape on it and Taylor’s silver Sharpie signature!
Here’s my dilemma:
My five year old son (who plays a little harp himself and wants to be in Tay’s band when he grows up) asked if he could have it! I’m not sure what I’ll do…I hate saying no but I finally have my TH harmonica and want to keep it safe and unused by others. Now I selfishly want another one for my sweet boy. Good Lord, I must be nuts.
and since Blake is a Taylor fan and tells me he wants to play all kinds of instruments when he's bigger, I think it would be really cool to give him one used by Taylor and when he's older (like you plan for your grandson AH) he'll respect it and appreciate it!
It's a fantasy of mine.
I'm of the camp, save your harmonica and get him a special one of his own. Maybe he can sign one to give to Taylor 
I have not tasted it yet. 
