POP/ROCK - Jan. 28, 1991

Auction Blues: An IRS auction of country singer Willie Nelson’s Austin, Tex., recording studio, golf course, movie set and hilltop cabin failed to draw a single bid from any of the 17 bargain hunters who came to the event. Nelson’s property was seized in November to settle a disputed $16.7 million debt to the Internal Revenue Service. On the auction block Friday at Pedernales Country Club near Austin were the recording studio and nine-hole golf course at a minimum bid of $575,478.16, a fishing camp at $84,442.80 and 688 acres including the movie set and cabin for $341,640.21. “Everything was just too high,” said Bill Kanetzky, who attended the auction. IRS spokeswoman Valerie Thornton said that the agency has three options: It can lower the minimum bids, buy the property for the government or return it all to Nelson. The agency will make a decision next week on the next step to be taken.