From Bill Clinton’s lips to best offer, famous sax for sale in Bob Barnette estate

It is the saxophone seen and heard around the world.

After years in the Central High School band room, the instrument was handed over to Bill Clinton at Macon City Hall on Nov. 23, 1992.

The historic horn will now be sold with the estate of former Central High School band director Bob Barnette, who died in April at age 76.

Two weeks after Clinton was elected, Barnette’s Sugar Bear Band was tapped to provide entertainment for a run-off rally for Wyche Fowler.

The Georgia Democrat senator couldn’t quite ride Clinton’s coat tails in the 1992 presidential election, and ultimately lost to Republican Paul Coverdell.

Standing on a platform in front of patriotic bunting on the building, Clinton addressed the large crowd covering Poplar Street.

“I want to say as an old band boy, I love the Sugar Bear Band from Macon, Georgia,” Clinton said after hearing members play “Hail to the Chief.”

Macon was Clinton’s first stop out of Washington, following his election.

While preparing selections, Barnette suggested they play, “Hey Baby,” but tailor the lyrics to “Hey Bill, I want to know... if you’ll be my prez.”

A voice from the press corps called out for Barnette to hand Clinton a sax.

The nation first heard Clinton play on the campaign trail five months earlier when he donned sunglasses and played a saxophone on the Arsenio Hall Show.

The president-elect jumped at the chance to jam with the Sugar Bear Band.

A smiling Clinton nestled among band members and started playing.

Pictures of the event were printed across the globe and video highlights were broadcast on national news.

Barnette’s widow, Annette, has not set a price on the saxophone, which comes with a lighted display case, but is seeking the best offer as she holds an estate sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4667 N. Beechwood Drive.

Her husband’s former students sent news clippings from all over the world of Clinton with the band.

She will include the clippings with the instrument, which was given to her husband after band boosters raised money to replace it.

“It’s a wonderful piece of history, local history and United States history,” Barnette said.

Many people have memories of Clinton’s visit, she said.

“The Sugar Bear Band was exceptional, and I think those were the exact words that Bill Clinton told to Bob and he was, of course, very proud of the Sugar Bear Band that day,” Annette Barnette said.

Clinton signed “Hail to the Chief” sheet music that day with a note of thanks and praise for the band.

Barnette has a copy, but the original was never returned from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame exhibit when the building closed, she said.

The bass fiddles Bob Barnette played in the Macon Symphony and other orchestras also are for sale.

One of them, nicknamed “François,” was made in France more than 300 years ago. Another 200-year-old one comes from Czechoslovakia.

Barnette’s instrument collection features a rare pocket trumpet, marching band trumpet with an extended bell, a Fender bass guitar and a vintage banjo.

From Barnette’s own days at Lanier High School, which became Central, memorabilia from “The Poets” football team will be included in the sale.

Crystal, silver, china, household items, antiques, furniture and three cars also will be sold. The couple’s two homes also are on the market.

Only 25 people at a time will be allowed in the house during sale hours of 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday.

Annette Barnette is hoping to see some of Bob’s former students and friends.

She also has a petition for them to sign asking the Bibb County Board of Education to name the Central High School band room in honor of Barnette, who taught at his alma mater for nearly 30 years.

“He and I both believed very strongly that we, as adults, are a collage of all the people we loved,” she said. “Every member of this Sugar Bear Band was a part of Bob’s soul.”

This story was originally published October 31, 2016 at 3:52 PM with the headline "From Bill Clinton’s lips to best offer, famous sax for sale in Bob Barnette estate."