by Adam Ghassemi
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music City may be known for country, but when it comes to hip hop, Young Buck - legally David Darnell Brown - gave Nashville a different rhythm.
That's why Thursday's auction is hard for a fan, like James Miller, who hopes to pick up recording equipment. "Growing up in Nashville he was sort of a legend, an icon so it's very sad to see him end up this way," Miller said.
TVs, gold albums, even Brown's signature jewelry are all available.
"The 615 Cashville necklace is the most valuable piece," said IRS spokesman Dan Boone. "It's appraised at approximately 20-thousand dollars."
Boone says an auction is rare because they try everything to keep it from happening. "It's a last resort for the IRS because, I mean, it's better on everybody. Everybody's included if we can work out some kind of a payment plan when taxes are due rather than going to this step," he said.
In December, a judge converted Brown's bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 liquidation. That means everything, including his trademarked "Young Buck" name, will be sold for not paying taxes.
"He came up from the streets and I guess he made it the best way he knew how to do it and that was with his music," said recording engineer Gerald Holt who worked with Brown before he made a name for himself.
Holt toured the auction items Wednesday in disbelief. "It's just hard to see him rise to the top like this and then see all of his stuff just being sold at auction," he said.
Doors open Thursday at 8 a.m. for registration. The auction begins at 10 a.m.
Details: http://www.treasury.gov/auctions/irs/natn_anti_6125.htm
Earlier this month, a judge sentenced Brown to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Once released, he'll be on supervised release for three years.
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