NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s announces an exciting online-only charity auction entitled “Nashville: An Auction to benefit ACM Lifting Lives® COVID-19 Response Fund” led by a Swarovski-crystal bedazzled four-string dulcimer owned by Dolly Parton for 30 years accompanied by its original stand and used by the artist as she celebrated her 50th Anniversary performing at the Grand Ole Opry in 2019. The dulcimer is estimated at $50,000 ‑ 100,000, and leads a sale featuring items generously donated by country music’s biggest names, including Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Marty Stuart, Bernie Taupin, and Trisha Yearwood.

Dolly Parton comments: “Seeing my country music community suffer due to the pandemic has broken my heart. It was important to donate the dulcimer that was designed for my 50th Opry Anniversary so we can raise awareness and much needed funds to keep these folks on their feet before we can open the doors to our stages once again.”




Lyndsay Cruz, Executive Director, ACM Lifting Lives, comments: “We are immensely grateful to the artists in the Nashville community and beyond who have generously donated items for this auction in collaboration with Christie’s. Every winning bid will go towards our COVID-19 Response Fund to support the workers of our country music community: the tour bus drivers, aspiring musicians, techs and venue workers – so many of whom have lost their livelihoods overnight during the course of this pandemic. So far, the fund has distributed $1.5 million and we are hoping the sale of these iconic items will enable us to support more affected by this crisis.”

Nancy Valentino, Strategic Business and Client Development, Christie’s, comments: “Christie’s is honored to work with the music community in Nashville and partner with ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund to support the country music frontline workers who are in need at this time. We are particularly excited to be offering the first musical instrument ever to appear at a global auction from Dolly Parton. Her magnanimity in donating her gold, Swarovski-studded one-of-a-kind Dulcimer and stand played at her Grand Ole Opry 50th Anniversary Show, speaks to the enduring appeal of Dolly Parton as an artist so loved and lauded around the world for both her music and philanthropy.”

While the dulcimer is an ancient instrument, the Appalachian dulcimer is a cornerstone to the sound of Country music, and one that Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton has used throughout her career. The gold painted, crystal-studded dulcimer offered for auction was used during Dolly Parton’s 50th Anniversary concert at the Grand Ole Opry. As the crowd roared, waiting for Dolly to play “Jolene”, she eased onto a stool and put the bedazzled dulcimer across her lap and quipped, “I never leave a rhinestone unturned.”