Reviving my auction career after about a 10 year sabbatical. First was licensed and work with some great auctioneers starting 1997. We sold many business liquidations, called antique gallery sales and more estate liquidations than I can count. Children and a full time tech career got in the way of my passion project but now I am retired from that and looking for opportunities. If anyone needs help, bid spotting or contract bid calling in the central and north Texas area (think I35 from Dallas / Ft Worth to San Antonio generally) I am up for it. Also starting up my own benefit auction company and could always use good assistants if you are in the area, please connect!

This is so important as we are building our Auctioneer Chant, is knowing when to be silent... Here is a description from the internet about silence in building rhythm in your performance. Super important tool to use as you are being the best Auctioneer you can be! Silence in music is a powerful tool used to create tension, structure, and dynamic contrast, functioning as an essential rhythmic element rather than mere absence of sound. By using rests, gaps between musical phrases, or sudden "drops" in production, composers and performers build anticipation, highlight melodic ideas, and provide breathing space for the listener. Key Uses of Silence in Rhythm and Composition: - Building Tension and Expectation: Unexpected pauses, such as the famous silence in Beethoven's “Pathetique Sonata”, create dramatic tension and increase the emotional impact of the following notes. - Creating Structural Phrasing: Silence (often indicated by rests) separates musical ideas, making phrases easier to understand and improving the structural organization of a piece. - Contrast and Emphasis: Dropping out instruments before a "drop" in electronic music, or resting during a solo, brings, highlighting the subsequent sound and making it feel more powerful. - Rhythmic Definition: Rests act as placeholders within a rhythm, defining when not to play. They allow notes to stand out with greater clarity and, for example, enable staccato notes to be more effective. - Intentional "Drops" in Production: Modern production often uses a sudden silence to stop the groove briefly, as famously done in Count Basie's recordings, allowing the rhythm to hit harder upon return. - Artistic Expression of Space: John Cage's piece "4'33”" is a famous exploration of silence, which actually highlights the ambient noise of the environment. Using silence allows for a "breathing space" for both musicians and listeners to process complex musical ideas, and it ensures that the music remains dynamic and engaging, rather than flat.

Check out this great video that feels like a real auction:

Here is a little behind the scenes of what it looks like that I do to prepare for a fundraising gala. Working on Notes, making sure my gear is all ready to go, making sure my timing and departure times are ready to go. Lots of nuances that go into making a great performance happen for my nonprofit client. Hope this helps you be more prepared for your upcoming Fundraising Events!

Here's a recent video from an Anti-Gala. No stuffy black tie affair. No tables or chairs. No boring program. Just pure fundraising and fun!