James Hetfield, The Eagles, Ringo Starr, Def Leppard, and more Donate Memorabilia for Charity Auction

by The Metalverse

Updated October 09, 2025

The National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) and the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund have teamed up for a special charity auction. All funds raised will cover costs associated with NITO's advocacy for federal and state ticketing legislation, transparency, and reform from the Performance Rights Organizations, increased royalties, international artist visa reform, the creation of healthy and sustainable live and recorded music spaces, and more artist-forward changes.

The auction will be hosted by Charitybuzz and will run from October 8-22 available here.

What will be available for auction?

A signed 2009 ESP black Firebird from the personal collection of Metallica’s James Hetfield (accompanied by a handwritten note from Hetfield)

A drumhead signed by Ringo Starr

A Takamine acoustic guitar signed by all current members of Eagles (including Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill, and Deacon Frey)

A commemorative Weathervanes Epiphone guitar signed by Jason Isbell

A mandolin signed earlier this year at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival by bluegrass icons Ronnie McCoury, Sierra Hull, and Sam Bush

A Fender Squier Stratocaster signed by members of Styx (including James “J.Y.” Young, Chuck Panozzo, Tommy Shaw, Todd Sucherman, Lawrence Gowan, Will Evankovich, and Terry Gowan)

A Martin acoustic guitar signed by a who’s who of Americana legends including Sierra Hull, Sam Bush, Rob McCoury, Ronnie McCoury, Del McCoury, Alison Krauss, Oliver Wood, Jano Rix, Chris Wood, Jerry Douglas, Ron Block, Barry Bales, Russell Moore, Bob Carpenter, Jimmy Fadden, and Jeff Hanna

A Fender Stratocaster signed by Bonnie Raitt

A Fender Stories Collection Mike Campbell Red Dog Telecaster signed by Campbell

A Gibson Derek Trucks Signature SG signed by Trucks

A Susan Tedeschi Signature Model Fender Telecaster signed by Tedeschi

A Joe Satriani Signature Model Ibanez JS signed by Satriani

A Steve Vai Signature Model Ibanez signed by Vai

A banjo signed by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

A cymbal signed by famed jazz drummer Harvey Mason

A drumhead signed by members of Def Leppard

Guitars signed by Pat Metheny, Suzanne Vega, and Sublime

NITO on the charity auction:

“We are thrilled to partner with Sweet Relief on this upcoming auction,” says NITO Executive Director Nathaniel Marro. “NITO has always been about supporting our artists first and foremost, so joining forces with Sweet Relief was a no-brainer. We want to thank all these amazing artists who have donated their time and instruments to this auction. The funds will be going to two great organizations pushing for a healthier music industry for everyone.”

Thanks for reading!