Ray Benson's Birthday Auction

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe that March is here again because that means it is time for my birthday. Each year in lieu of gifts I ask friends and family to honor my birthday by making a tax-deductible donation to support two local charities that help Austin’s musicians: The SIMS Foundation and the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). It truly means the world to me that you support these two organizations that are providing essential medical, dental and mental health services to low-income, uninsured working musicians.

This year, on my birthday, I’ll be on tour with the “Last of the Breed” – Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price so I won’t be able to celebrate in person with you. However, an on-line auction has been created to take the place of the silent auction that is usually held at my birthday party. There are some great packages lined up including a round of golf with me and an overnight stay at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. The auction will run on eBay from 8:45pm Wednesday, March 14 through 8:45pm Wednesday, March 21.

Without our city’s unique live music scene, Austin would be missing a key ingredient to what draws tourists from all over the world, lures corporations to establish their headquarters here, and keeps local residents proud to live in “The Live Music Capital of the World.” HAAM and SIMS are dedicated solely to providing access to musicians and their families for mental health services, primary health care, and basic dental services, with a focus on prevention and wellness. SIMS and HAAM strive to improve the quality of life for the low-income musicians who contribute so much to our community.

Thank you for remembering me on my birthday and supporting these two important organizations by participating in the on-line auction and/or by using the DONATE link on this web site.

With sincere thanks,
Ray Benson

Those of you wishing to make an online donation may do so here:

Item Title	Value	Starting Bid	Link to Auction
“Night on the Town with STOMP” donated by Charity Partners of Austin This package includes 8 tickets to see STOMP on Thursday, May 3 at 8pm at the Paramount Theater with a limo pickup and drop off to one location. The limo is available from 6pm until midnight.	$1000	$700
“Getaway in the Lost Pines and Golf with Ray” donated by the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa This package includes a one night stay at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa and one round of golf for two people with Ray Benson. This is valid through March 1, 2008 and is based on availability, not valid on holidays.	$659	$500
“Last of the Breed” Autographed Guitar donated by Gibson Guitars and Last of the Breed This Gibson guitar includes autographs by the “Last of the Breed” – Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ray Price and Ray Benson.	Priceless	$1000
Autographed Black and White Photo of Erik Hokkanen donated by Rockslide Photography This unframed 17x22 black and white photograph of Erik Hokkanen taken by John Grubbs of Rockslide Photography includes Erik Hokkanen’s autograph.	Priceless	$25
Autographed Poster of Warren Hood & the Hoodlums and Friends donated by Rockslide Photography This unframed 17x22 poster of Warren Hood and the Hoodlums includes autographs by Warren Hood, Marshall Hood, Damien Llanes, Mike Keller, Nate Rowe and Andrew Nafziger.	Priceless	$25
Los Lonely Boys autographed pair of Stacy Adams shoes donated by Los Lonely Boys Henry, Jo Jo and Ringo have autographed a pair of the hip Stacy Adams shoes that they wear onstage. This is truly a one-of-a-kind item!	Priceless	$150
Home Improvement Package donated by Allandale Painters Supply This package includes 4 gallons of Devoe Exterior Regency Satin 100% Acrylic White House Paint and one Allandale Painters Supply Coffee Mug.	$150	$75
Time Warner Cable Road Runner Package donated by Time Warner Cable Free residential Road Runner High Speed Online Service for one year. Includes installation. Must reside in Time Warner Cable service area in the Austin Metro area. New or existing customers are eligible. Non-transferable.	$650	$400
Autographed copy of Sleep Toward Heaven by Amanda Eyre Ward donated by Lacey Schmelzle Amanda Eyre Ward’s debut novel is an intimate portrait of three women whose lives collide during a brutal Texas summer. The book has been optioned by Sandra Bullock and Warner Brothers and the screenplay is currently in production.	Priceless	$40
Weekend Getaway Package at the Hilton Austin Hotel and Dinner at Moonshine Grill donated by the Hilton Austin and Moonshine This package includes a 2 night weekend stay at the Hilton Austin and a $75 gift certificate for Moonshine Grill. The hotel stay is based on availability and valid until April 1, 2008.	$375	$250
Weekend Getaway Package at the Omni Austin Hotel and Dinner at The Belmont donated by the Omni Austin Hotel and The Belmont This package includes a 2 night weekend stay at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown and a $100 gift card to The Belmont. The hotel stay is based on availability, excludes all holidays and is valid until March 13, 2008.	$638	$350
Overnight Escape at the Four Seasons Hotel and Dinner at Uchi Donated by the Four Seasons and Uchi Overnight Escape at the Four Seasons Hotel and Dinner at Uchi This package includes a one night stay with accommodations for two in a superior lakeside guestroom and a $150 gift card for Uchi. The hotel stay is based on availability with advanced reservations required and is valid until March 30, 2008.	$645	$350
Children’s Package with items donated by Austin Children’s Museum and Lifeworks This package includes a birthday party for 20 children at the Lifeworks Ben&Jerry's Scoop Shop in Austin. Children will tour the store, make their own ice cream and waffle cone, and make a tie dye t-shirt. An ice cream cake for 20 is included and the birthday child gets a free ice cream cone every month for a year! Additionally, this packages includes a "Keep on Coming" card for 12 individual admissions to the Austin Children's Museum. The card has a 1 year expiration date.	$500	$300
Austin City Limits Music Festival Package donated by Capital Sports and Entertainment 2 3-day passes to the Austin City Limits Music Festival Save yourself the hassle. Get two three day passes to the 2007 Austin City Limits Music Festival, September 14-16.	$300	$200
Weekend Getaway Package at the Radisson and Dinner at Starlite donated by the Radisson and Starlite. This package includes a 2 night weekend stay at the downtown Radisson in the heart of Austin’s music District. The Package includes complimentary breakfast and valet parking and a $125 gift card to Starlite.	$775	$400
Autographed Takamine EG531C Acoustic/electric guitar donated by Andrew Tallichet Takamine EG531C Acoustic/electric guitar autographed by: Mitch Watkins, Buddy Miller, Slaid Cleave,s Bob Schneider, Fred Eaglesmith, Delbert McClinton, Bob Dipeiro, Big Al Anderson (NRBQ,) Pete & Maura Kennedy, Ellis Paul, Rodney Crowel and Stephen Bruton.	Priceless	$600
Autographed copy oF "Feeding The Fame" by Gary Stromberg donated By Gary Stromberg Interviews with seventeen celebrities in music, film, sports, politics and literature; people who crashed and burned from eating disorders only to rise to great achievement in recovery.	Priceless	$50
Autographed copy oF "The Harder They Fall " by Gary Stromberg donated By Gary Stromberg Celebrities Tell Their Real-Life Stories of Addiction and Recovery	Priceless	$50
One session with Astrologer Lynn Wilson Donated By Lynn Wilson Lynn Wilson is a professional astrologer with over 20 years of full-time experience. Austin-based, she enjoys a world-wide clientele. Lynn has been featured on CNN and other television and radio shows, as well as in numerous magazines and newspapers.	$250	$50