Memories of Sean Costello

It's November, and I just now learned of Sean's death on the 15th of April. It's stunning, shocking, unsettling, and hugely disappointing.

Several years ago, in Savannah GA's City Market, my wife and I and two friends were strolling after dinner and poked our head into a small downstairs club in a courtyard. Sean was leading a group of older players (including an organ, ohhh that organ with Sean's guitar ... just wow.. It was just an absolutely outrageous and delicious "find" for us. One of my favorite serendipity nights ever. We had stumbled onto a treasure.

Saw him again years later in Savannah at the Roundhouse Blues and Barbeque Festival, and also made a trip to Hilton Head to catch him in a club there. Kept an eye on his global itinerary, just in case I might be able to hear him again, whenever.

Then came the announcement of March 26 , Savannah Music Festival with Eric Culbertson, and I scheduled a needed trip to Savannah, from Wisconsin, especially to see that show. A couple of weeks later, my wife suffered a terrible accident and my life changed --- kind of oblivious to the outside world for months as she recovered. No doubt that's why I just now learned that basically 3 weeks after his SMF show that I was lucky to see before our own family trauma happened --- he left us. "Going home to be with God", as he sang on his recent CD release.

Of course, I didn't really "discover" Sean --- others had already. But I will not forget that night in Savannah when I first was drawn into his fandom, early in his career. One of those with us that night was a New Yorker, Manhattan type, working in TV. She was incredulous that she had come to the quiet, slower, out-of-the-way Savannah on a weeknight and found a talent like his with a few dozen people listening.

I never wanted to own a collection of CDs of "all of Sean Costello"; I just wanted to start building it and have my children and grandchildren get the rest of his things after I die (I am 66 now). To now realize that his music is complete, that I have all of his recordings ever made --- is just too very sad.

My family has fought with the mind's demons over generations. It is so very tough to understand, and when anyone that you know succumbs, accidentally or not, coping is terribly hard. May the ache eventually subside and give way to the realization that this fine man in his 29 years touched SO many in so many ways, bringing joy and amazement. That's something that few of us are able to do no matter how long our time on Earth. To say that Sean was special is to grossly understate. He was superbly gifted, sensitve, and incredible in the nicest ways. He brought genuine feelings to us through the music he made and delivered in his inimitable way.

My deepest condolences to Sean's family. He was so loved by so many here in Atlanta, and I feel so fortunate to have seen him and heard him play several times. I'll never forget the first time I saw him, and was so amazed to hear such a deep, soulful blues sound coming from a young white man. There was nothing like the joy of seeing him live, and he really got the crowd on its feet and dancing. How can you listen to a song like "No Half Steppin" and NOT want to get up and move? Few performers today play with Sean's passion. Never one to disappoint a crowd, even when I saw him on a night that he'd lost his voice, his guitar spoke for him, and an amazing array of musician friends came up and filled in on the vocals. The last time I saw him, playing as part of something called the Magic Bus (if I remember correctly), I had the chance to speak to him and tell him how much I loved his music. I have one of his CDs in my car, and have played it for my high school students in the classroom. Even my students loved him. I just heard of Sean's passing tonight, after getting an e-mail announcement from Northside which mentioned the Sean Costello foundation, and looking it up online to find out more. Needless to say I was shocked to learn of his passing. It brought tears to my eyes. My heart hurts at the news of the loss of such an amazing performer and son so early in his young life. I feel so lucky to have been able to see him play live so often and to have experienced his music. God bless his family, friends, and fans. Sean was a bright light to all that saw and heard him. My heart and prayers go out to all of you feeling this loss.

TO SEAN'S MOTHER, AND DAD AND FAMILY, MY HEART TRULEY BREAKS FOR YOU. I NEVER GOT TO SEE SEAN PREFORM, AS A MATTER-N-FACT ON THE SAME DAY I DISCOVERED THIS AWESOME WONDER & FELL IN LOVE WITH HIS MUSIC, WHILE TRYING TO FIND EVERY THING HE DID AND HAD OUT ON CD'S, I DISCOVERED YOUR PAIN . IT PAINED ME ALSO, I TO LOST A SON, BRANDON, 28 yr's OLD, ON 11-12-07. I WISHED I COULD SAY THE EXACT WORDS TO HEAL YOUR PAIN, OR BETTER YET TAKE IT FROM YOU AND BARE IT FOR YOU MY SELF, EVEN NOW MY EYES WEEP FOR YOUR LOSS. BUT WE BOTH KNOW AS MOTHER,S THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE WOULDN'T DO FOR OUR CHILDREN, EVEN MOURN FOR THEM WITH ALL OUR HEART.. AND I DO BELIEVE GOD WILL AND DOES HEAL AND COMFORT US, HIS CHILDREN, BUT I ALSO KNOW I CARRIED MY SON FOR 9 MONTHS, FEED HIM AT MY BREST, AND AT MY TABLE. AND KNOW MATTER HOW MUCH HEALING, YEAR AFTER YEAR THEIR WILL ALYAYS, BE A PAIN IN MY HEART, EVEN WHEN REMEMBERING GOOD AND FUNNY THINGS ABOUT MY SON, AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE SAME FOR YOU ALSO, CAUSE YOU SEE GOD NEVER MEANT FOR MAN TO DIE, THEREFORE HE NEVER PUT WHAT EVER IT IS WE NEEDED TO DEAL WITH MOURNING , SO KNOW THIS YOUR DOING GREAT, KEEP ON GETTING UP IN THE MORNING, DRINK YOUR COFFEE, DO THE DISHES, GO OUT SIDE AND TEND TO YOUR FLOWERS. PUSH YOUR SELF TO DO SOME OF THE THINGS YOU LIKE. I HOPE I HAVEN'T STEPPED OUT OF LINE IF SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME.MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU. IF YOU EVER WANT TO TALK OR ASK ME SOMETHING PLEASE FEEL FREE. OH YES I CAN NOT EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE THE MUSIC IN HEAVEN NOW,YOU KNOW THERE;S NOOO TIME IN HEAVEN, AND MUSIC HAS TIMING, SO SINCE SEAN WAS SO AWESOME ON EARTH WELL I THINK HE,S A BLOWIN' THE PEARLY GATES OFF THEIR HINGES.*** GOD BLESS YOU* YUOR IN MY PRAYERS* cherylstevens57@yahoo.com

I had the honor of meeting and singing with Sean in a club in Roanoke, Virginia. As a singer, I have NEVER been so impressed by anyone's talent. Two years later, he returned to the same club, and was so kind to remember me and ask me to sing with him again. I want you to know, that was of the of the proudest nights of my life, that a fellow so talented would remember me, and ask me to hop on stage with him. I have bragged on your son's talent since my first meeting him. I recently moved to Warner Robins. I took my fiance to Atlanta to see a Black Crowe's concert and ran into Sean at "The Jumkman's Daughter". I recognized his voice from a distance before I ever saw his face. He was so gracious! You never forget a voice like that. Though I could never imagine your pain, I want you to know what an affect your son's incomparable talent has had on my life, and what a gift you gave to the world. Megan Wilson

Having grown up in Memphis, I have a deeply ingrained love for the Blues. My husband and I do not live in Memphis, but about 12 years ago we had gone back to Beale Street to celebrate my birthday. We were walking down the street trying to decide where to go, when a door opened. Out came the most wonderful sounds. Pure Blues like I had not heard in some time. We looked at each other and headed towards the Daisy (don't remember now if it was the New or the Old). Imagine our surprise when we walked in and saw this young kid sitting on the edge of the stage playing his heart out. I think my jaw hit the floor. We were transfixed and spent the evening loving every moment of the performance. After the show, my husband walked up front to speak to Sean, who was all of 16 or 17. Sean introduced his mother , who was travelling with him and we found out he lived about 2 hours away from us in Atlanta. After we returned to Chattanooga where we were living, every few weeks or so, we would load up our Explorer on Monday nights with as many people as we could fit into it and drive 2 hours to Fat Matt's to eat ribs and just listen to Sean and the guys play. We would try to catch shows that were anywhere close to us and always had the greatest time listening to him perform. After moving to Nashville 6 years ago, and with Sean's increased touring, we never again got the chance to see him play. I found out he had passed away when I was on MySpace looking up music and I went to his page. It absolutely breaks my heart that he is gone. It is rare that a musician has the talent to reach out and touch your soul like Sean was always able to do.I hurt so deeply for his mother and family. We have all lost a wonderful young man and an unbelievable musician. I hope he has at last found his peace. We will miss you Sean.

I live in Northern Ca. and seen Sean 4 times, Biscuits and blues in San Fran twice, Sweet water in Mill valley and the Torch club in Sacramento, I love the guy he always brought the house down, he always spent time talking with me and we talked about guitars and how he had to retire is early 50's goldtop and started using a re-issue, I have a short story when I saw Sean in Mill valley it was pretty dead maybe ten people, and around 10:30 he was thinking of wrapping it up and then came in 7 or 8 fine local women who wanted to party and Sean busted out his Mojo, he had those chicks out there grinding it went on for at least another hour, well I'm crying now it really hurts too, I love you Sean. Go hang with the big boys. forever a fan, thanks for signing my blues review. Mark Loustaunau Lousty@hotmail.com

I live in Northern Ca. and seen Sean 4 times, Biscuits and blues in San Fran twice, Sweet water in Mill valley and the Torch club in Sacramento, I love the guy he always brought the house down, he always spent time talking with me and we talked about guitars and how he had to retire is early 50's goldtop and started using a re-issue, I have a short story when I saw Sean in Mill valley it was pretty dead maybe ten people, and around 10:30 he was thinking of wrapping it up and then came in 7 or 8 fine local women who wanted to party and Sean busted out his Mojo, he had those chicks out there grinding it went on for at least another hour, well I'm crying now it really hurts too, I love you Sean. Go hang with the big boys. forever a fan, thanks for signing my blues review. Mark Loustaunau Lousty@hotmail.com

I would like to thank all of you for your kind words about Sean. As someone said, he was one of a kind, the likes not to be seen again soon. For those fans from Atlanta and elsewhere you were smart enough to see it and insightful enough to love him. I miss him every minute of every day and still cannot listen to his music; however, I do get comfort from people who remember him as I do.

Sean's Mom

Just one clarification: Sean was born April 16, 1979.
One question: Sarah Kubley has informed us that someone named their child after Sean, would it be possible to know where they are from and how they know Sean? I am very touched by the tribute. They will never regret naming him after such a wonderful son as Sean was to us.

I know a couple that named their son Sean after your son. So sorry for your loss and am so grateful he shared himself and his music with us. So many talented people are not able to do that in any way.

I have seen Sean Costello perform on three different occasions. He was a great talent and will be missed. For someone that young and playing the" blues" was a good sign that the blues are alive a well. Never doubt the power of music.

I live in Minneapolis, and first saw Sean by chance at Blues on The Range in Chisolm, Minnesota, probably 2000. The tightest band I had seen in a long time. What was coming out of this kid was incredible. My wife and I were hooked. We saw him again up close at a bar later that night, and they were even better. We bought "Call the Cops", and "Cuttin In" and got into every song. I later ventured up to Superior, Wisconsin to see the band in the dead of winter. I took a friend, who hadn't seen Sean, and neither of us could believe this tremendous band was in a van, traveling to Superior, Wisconsin. There weren't many people at the place, but those of us who were there, were sharing something special. We talked to the guys between sets, and they were all great. I also took the family to Bayfront Bluesfest in Duluth, MN. Sean was not the marquee name at the fest, but many of us there thought he stole the show. I always checked out his website, and purchased "Moanin' for Molasses" and his self-titled albums, and loved them both. By this time I turned my teenage daughter onto Sean. He stopped coming to the land of 10,000 lakes, much to my dismay. In February, I picked up his last album with much anticipation, and was not dissapointed. I always thought he could blend the perfect amount of soul, funk, and blues, like no other. I could not believe it when I made my weekly check of his website, and found out about his passing. Too much talent gone too early. I didn't know Sean personally, like many of you. Those of you who did, I hope you realize how lucky you were to be around such a gifted kid. Sean, your music will live on up here in the Northland.