You guys have spoken — Tonic’s celebrity iPod auction series is a hit.
We’re not sure whether it’s the one-of-a-kind memorabilia that’s got you drooling, or the arts funding that has you coming back for more. It doesn’t really matter. Katrina may have ripped the homes and livelihoods out of New Orleans, but Music Rising is refusing to let it destroy NOLA’s musical legacy. You’re a big part of laying the groundwork for recovery, simply by throwing your hat in for an iPod like no other.
So here’s the scoop, in case you’re a teeny bit late to the party: Huge celebs have donated autographed iPods, chock full of their favorite tunes, to a Tonic auction supporting Music Rising. Just who have you gone bananas for thus far? Here’s the list of the top five moneymakers:
- 5. Faith Hill $425
- 4. Gwen Stefani $455
- 3. Mariah Carey $560
- 2. Britney Spears $851
And #1 … drumroll please …
- Ellen Degeneres with a whopping $5,101!!!
And now that bidding has closed on playlists from a dashing duo of Marcs — Jacobs and Ecko, that is — it’s time to set your sights on those coming up. You may not have scored Jacobs’ lineup of infectious pop (Britney, Madonna, Lady Gaga), thoughtful standards (Leonard Cohen), and not one, but two Sonic Youth anthems, but there’s still time to get your hands on Bill Clinton’s “Bahia.”
And no, Marc Ecko’s hip-hop playlist — interrupted by the curious inclusion of an instrumental “Eleanor Rigby” — might not be in your hands, but Scarlet Johanssan’s yet-to-be-revealed songbook still can.
We’ve only just begun. At $8,500 and counting, Tonic plans on bringing big bucks to artists who were stung hard by the hurricane and need our support to revive, rebuild and rock out. Of course, slipping a totally original piece of pop culture iconography in your hands is a pretty sweet perk.
Click here to dig into the Tonic iPod Auction Series.