Here’s how it works: People bid on our stuff at eBay’s Rhino Auctions. If they win, they not only get the stuff; they get to gab with us about it (and God bless ’em for agreeing to it)./
Suzanne Adams of Ames, New York, for a mere $520, got tickets to see Randy Newman in concert in Philadelphia; a backstage pass with palm-pressing and autograph privileges; our Guilty: 30 Years Of Randy Newman boxed set; and our recently released The Best Of Randy Newman. She got the prize, and the September 11th fund got the dough through Auction For America. Here’s her story:
So how’d it go?
Randy was very gracious and invited us into the dressing room and introduced me to his son John, who said, ‘How much did you pay for my dad on eBay. How much could I get for him if I sold him there?’ Once I told him, Randy was totally impressed and said he couldn’t believe that a babe had paid 500 bucks for him on eBay.
He signed my CD sets for me and took a picture. Then he asked me what he hadn’t played that was a favorite of mine, and I said, ‘Well, I’ve always liked “Shame.” It always made me laugh.’ He made a comment to the effect that I was probably like that; that he would send me roses, and I wouldn’t answer him or call him back - which was uncalled for (laughs). He sat down at the piano in the dressing room and played that for me. It was very cool. I didn’t expect him to do that, so it was very sweet. Then he said that he felt like he should come to my house and mow my lawn or something, since I paid so much money for him (laughs). I told him I’d let him off the hook since he did the song for me./
I don’t know what I expected. I’ve always liked his music and his sense of humor and his view on people and politics. It was nice to learn that he’s very genuine and fun. I’m thrilled. His manager or publicist was there, and she said, ‘I didn’t think he was going to play you a song. He never does that.’
How did he sign your CDs?
‘To Suzanne: Thank you for buying me. I loved meeting you. Love, Randy.’ It was cute.
Were you prepared to pay more? What did you figure this prize would go for?I don’t know. It started at $100, and there were three people who were bidding on it fairly rapidly. In the last three minutes two people jumped in and started bidding really fast. I went up to $500 and somebody jumped me to $505. I said I’d do one more bid and that would be it, and then time ran out. I thought $520 was more than fair, because it was going to a good cause. I was at the World Trade Center when it was attacked. I had an appointment there at 9:00. My guardian angel was watching out for me - that’s all I can say. I live 120 miles from New York City, and all of my neighbors and friends either lost someone or know someone who lost someone. So I was willing to go as high as I could afford. If I hadn’t gotten it, I probably would have taken the money and given it to the Red Cross anyway.
How long have you been a Randy Newman fan?
Probably since I was 13 years old. Jim, my boyfriend, has all of his CDs, and so do I. The only one I didn’t have was the boxed set that you guys sent me. I could probably quote you a lot of his music, not that I would attempt to sing it.
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