Rare Taylor Swift guitar up for grabs to help DFW children in need

Country 96.3 is auctioning off a guitar signed by a then 18-year-old Taylor Swift. Here’s everything you need to know.

Before Taylor Swift was a household name who earned around $2 billion from her Eras Tour ticket sales, she was a driven teenager from Pennsylvania with a guitar and a dream. She was just 18 years old when her second album, “Fearless,” debuted in 2008. It was during that same year that she paid a visit to Cumulus Media’s New Country 96.3 and signed a guitar for the radio station alongside fellow country stars Martina McBride, Buddy Jewel, Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Frank Day, Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers, and Kevin Fowler. Afterwards, the guitar ended up in Country 96.3’s storage and was forgotten about — until now.

The promotions director at the radio station, Jessica MacKenzie-Williams, said that staff uncovered the hidden gem while they were cleaning. Originally, Williams was going to “re-use the guitar for an upcoming event because the signatures were faded, and the guitar was dusty,” she said. When she took a closer look at the signatures adorning the front of the guitar, though, she realized something significant. Williams said, “After closer examination, I recognized one of the signatures — Taylor’s. I couldn’t believe it!” She knew then and there that Country 96.3 had an iconic piece of Swift’s music history on their hands and that it could be used for something else instead.

So, during “Hawkeye in the Morning,” the two hosts, Michelle Rodriguez and Mark “Hawkeye” Louis, announced the guitar’s discovery to local listeners, dubbing it “The Lost Taylor Swift Guitar.” They were the ones who chose to put it up for auction as a way of raising funds for Fort Worth’s Cook Children’s Medical Center. Speaking about their decision, Hawkeye said, “This guitar has already had an incredible journey. Now it gets to make a difference for kids who need it most.”

The auction runs through Fri., April 17

Mark “Hawkeye” Louis and Michelle Rodriguez verified that Taylor Swift’s “Taylor Class of 2008!” signature was authentic, as were the other famous autographs on the guitar before they made their announcement on air. The auction for “The Lost Taylor Swift Guitar” started on Monday, April 13 and will stay open until Friday, April 17 at 9 a.m. Central Time. As of writing, the current bid stands at $7,110, but that’s almost certainly set to change by the time you’re reading this. To keep an eye on the price or to place a bid yourself, click here.

The proceeds raised from the sale of the guitar will go directly to Cook Children’s Medical Center, which provides quality pediatric care for children in need regardless of whether their family can financially afford it. The hospital’s website notes that, “We believe that children deserve health care designed just for them. So when you come in for a visit we’ll connect you to top medical experts, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative treatments designed to improve the health and well-being of your child. Our focus is to make your experience as comforting as possible, whether it’s a brief visit or a longer stay.” Being able to help Fort Worth families and own a one-of-a-kind piece of Swift merchandise is a win-win scenario.

And as any good Swiftie knows, the 36-year-old is well-known for her generosity. From book donations to flood relief to paying her fan’s medical bills, Swift has donated millions of dollars to people in need throughout her career. It’s unclear as to whether she’s aware of the current guitar auction, but we’re sure she’d be thrilled by the idea.