RR Auction Employee Finds Truth In History (and Music)

Bobby Livingston works with rare items from some of the most influential people in history, but some of the greatest things in life cannot be bought or sold.

Livingston is the vice president of sales and marketing at in Amherst, a local auction house that has been offering authentic autographed and signed memorabilia for over thirty years.

Each item that comes to him has a story, but outside of the office he works on telling his own tale through his music. When he is off the clock, Livingston is the lead singer in a local band called Napoleon In Rags, which plays American music rooted in the sounds of the Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and the Rolling Stones.

His passion for both musical and historic pieces is rooted in one concept: finding the truth.

“At my job, I hold a piece from historic figures and I have to be passionate about that item and understand that significance,” said Livingston. “In the same vein, I can’t sing a song that doesn’t ring true to me, just like I can’t get on television and promote an auction item that doesn’t ring true to me.”

He began working at RR Auction in 2008 after a long career in the film industry producing everything from commercials, documentaries and movies. He had always worked with musicians during his work in Hollywood and beyond, but never had a chance to perform.

That all changed after he moved to New Hampshire to help rebrand the auction house, which was started by his cousin and current owner Bob Eaton. While he loves his work at RR Auction, he needed an artistic outlet like he had during his years producing and directing.

Livingston started his local music career at J’s Tavern in Milford three years ago, after his friends encouraged him to sing in front of an audience. Gardner Berry of the band Mama Kicks just happened to be there, and encouraged him to get into the music scene.

So he formed Napoleon In Rags, which now includes Kim Riley, Scot Gibbs, John Bruner, Mike Dupont and Steve Baker. They play the hits from musical greats like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, as well as songs written by Livingston himself.

This is one man who is no stranger to the music scene, since he has been putting together benefit concerts that honor Bob Dylan’s birthday (his favorite musician) and benefit worthy causes since 1995. Theconcert raised money for the  Brad Delp Foundation and the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America.

He started the benefit concerts to raise awareness on important issues and get talented musicians together, as well as get more of them to play Bob Dylan songs.

A self-taught musician, Livingston also plays the guitar and harmonica on top of being a songwriter and band leader. He said he is really inspired by Dylan’s songwriting and his ability to say so much with just one line of a song.

“My songs are very biographical and set in truth,” said Livingston. “It has to be emotionally real to me. Every song I play has to have that truth, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t make the set list.”

The musical arts have always been a part of his life, and the music he loves has become the manual for his life, to be filled with fun and passion. Hiis favorite artists have also helped him become more socially conscious of the world outside and within the human spirit.

“With a simple phrase, a song can express deep and powerful truths and emotions,” he said.

He shares it all on stage with his band every second Saturday at J’s Tavern, and at events and benefit concerts across the state. They have garnered a following over the years and Livingston is proud to be able to interact with so many talented people in both the music scene and in his work.

“I’m really proud to be a part of a community here in New Hampshire,” he said. “I have found an incredible job with incredible opportunity to travel and learn new things every day. I also have found a community of talented musicians and music lovers that Southern New Hampshire has to offer. I am honored to be welcomed into that community.”

Visit the Napoleon In Rags Facebook page and learn more about the band at www.napoleonrags.com.