Folk festival to auction autographed guitar

Going once, going twice... photo provided Sisters music fans have an opportunity to purchase a one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia through the Sisters Folk Festival.

The festival will auction an autographed Breedlove guitar signed by a variety of legendary artists from Arlo Guthrie to Ben Harper and Beck. Sisters Starry Nights performers also signed the guitar during their appearances here last winter.

According to festival board member Kathy Deggendorfer, the Breedlove guitar was purchased by the local Roundhouse Foundation and donated for auction.

Deggendorfer herself was instrumental in getting the Ben Harper and Beck autographs.

Her cousin is Harper's next-door-neighbor in California -- and the cousin's husband is a music producer who works with Beck.

The Arlo Guthrie signature was secured during a Folk Alliance conference in San Diego last winter.

"It's pretty exciting," Deggendorfer said. "It's a very cool piece of memorabilia."

Deggendorfer noted that Harper is particularly enthusiastic about the festival's commitment to music education through the Americana Project.

The guitar will be auctioned at the sponsor's dinner for the festival on September 9. Proxy bids are allowed, Deggendorfer said.

The Sisters Folk Festival is scheduled for September 10-12. For more information on the guitar and a complete list of autographs, visit www.sistersfolkfestival.com.