14th
The First Annual Sean Costello Memorial Fund Benefit Concert
I’m guessing that Sean was saying “There will be a snowstorm in Atlanta in March before my Mom could pull off a benefit with Lurrie Bell, The Wood Brothers, King Johnson, Felix and the Cats with Jon Liebman and Soul Shakers.” Either that, or “If I can’t play with Lurrie Bell, no one can.” I am told by a friend of Sean’s and mine that Bob Dylan once said that weather was the great equalizer. Whatever the reason, fate deemed that Atlanta would have the first snowfall of the year the day of our concert and today it’s in the 70′s!
As it turned out, what looked like blizzard conditions, faded to dry roads with no accumulation. It snowed just long enough to scare some who would have come enough to stay in their homes…at least some of them. For the people who flew in from Chicago, they were wondering what the fuss was all about. Snow or not, the concert proved to be a great success with representatives from Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, France, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana and Michigan…..
We apparently had planned the organization to the point where our committee and volunteers often seem bored, while people commented on the professionalism of the entire event. Things went smoothly in every area from ticketing to food to merchandise. Most importantly to the attendees, the concert itself went without a hitch and offered phenomenal music while a slideshow of Sean was running on screens on both sides of the stage. (I must admit that the slide show prevented me from enjoying too much of the entertainment, but I thought that it was a beautiful way to incorporate Sean into the program.).
Die hard fans of Sean and the bands came in numbers great enough to tell us that there is an audience for our cause. Several of our sponsors didn’t venture out in the weather, and we know many others who sent messages asking us if we intended to cancel. In all, I estimate about 150 people bought tickets, with the remainder present being staff, volunteers and musicians.
There are some wonderful and heartwarming stories about people’s determination to get to us. Chris Wood lives in Woodstock and was refused entry onto his plane because of his stand up bass. He drove to Newark (about a 2 hour drive), paid for the bass’ passage and arrived without a word of complaint. Lurrie Bell proved to be the nicest man with an obviously generous heart. He suffered through 4 plane changes and a 2 hour delay, but managed to arrive in time for his performance, and what a performance it was! Such a quiet man to turn into a force of nature on stage. I hope Sean was watching.
I cannot say enough about the quality of the music and the demeanor of the musicians. Sean would have been so honored, and I certainly was honored in his behalf. I was moved to tears to feel so much love for him and support for our cause. Lisa Love was an awesome emcee with the best job ever: introducing the Soul Shakers, Felix and the Cats with Jon Liebman, King Johnson, The Wood Brothers and Lurrie Bell. I would not pretend to be qualified to critique any music, but a tone deaf attendee wouldn’t have words to express the unbelievable talent that graced the stage in Sean’s honor.
Our goals were to break even while getting the word out about the seriousness of bipolar disorder and the work of our cause, all the time keeping Sean in our thoughts as our catalyst. We more than met what we sent out to do. For example, there was a lovely older couple from Savannah who told me that they happened upon Sean by accident one day. They were ambling around the City Market when they heard some phenomenal music that happened to be coming from Sean. From that point on, they followed him whenever they could. This night they came to celebrate Sean’s music and to support the Fund. They have a very close relative who struggles with bipolar disorder and they know first hand its devastation on their loved one and the entire family.
As I said on Sunday, none of this would have been possible without the hard work of our fundraising committee. I will list them alphabetically, as each of them provided one part of the perfect combination that led to Sunday’s success: Lauren Arno, Melissa Bauer, Patti Beaman, Bridget Costello, Bartley Cross, Allison Dellamaggiora, Jon Liebman, Donald Schellhaas, Kelli Stripling, Megan Tackett, Manda Pullen Turetsky, and Lindsey Warren. In addition to these incredible people, there are many others who deserve our thanks for their generosity, including: Reggie Colbert and North Atlanta High, Jeff Bakos, Tom Dausner and Vincent Tseng, Matt Harper of Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, Tom Hyslop, Lisa Love, Iain Martin and Andy Whitaker.
The weather may have affected the number of people who were able to attend, but it certainly had no effect on the generosity and enthusiasm of those who did brave the weather. Our silent auction was a phenomenal success. Manda organized it as if she worked for Sotheby’s! Stephen Talkovich’s beautiful hand crafted guitar was purchased by Gary Leiffer; the phenomenal painting by Eileen D’esterno was bought by our board member, Richard Bolton, and gifted to me! There were tickets to Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble as well as DVDs and CDs, beautifully framed and matted prints of Sean by Keith Taylor, prints of Sean from 1998 donated by Evan Waller and more recent prints from Jerry Novick. Other auction donors included: Acupuncture Works, AnyHaul.com, Blind Willie’s, Carol’s Linens of Macon, Dan Seevers, Delta Groove, Donald Schellhaas and Ronda Wenger, Eby Designs, Landslide Records and Natural Body Spa and Shop. The charity of the people who donated and purchased these treasures is beyond gracious.
Despite the weather, we were able to cover the costs of the event through the generosity of our sponsors: Sonia Livingston, Northside Tavern, One Consulting Group, Maddy Moneypenny, Enercon, Blind Willie’s, and Amy Pollick and Josh Lipman as well as members of our Donor Circle. We also received in-kind donations from Costco, Datadirect, Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, Meanass Bear Graphics, Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, Noize Productions (all the way from Buffalo!), Ticket Alternative and last, but not least, Tiny Design Studio.
This was our first effort and I am so proud of the result. I was very disappointed that some of the people who loved Sean were unable to attend and hope that next year, it won’t snow!
I have been asked what it is that we will do with the money we have collected. It is important to know that we consider every dollar donated as an obligation to use it to support our mission. On Sunday, for example, we donated a guitar of Sean’s and a scholarship in his name. Because they had nothing to do with Bipolar Disorder, these were family sponsored and did not use the Fund’s money. We are just beginning; however, the support and momentum has been so great, so fast that we have to catch up operationally. The donations have been respectable, but certainly will not build a facility, or support funding for mental health care. All of our staff are volunteers and every penny goes into the Fund. Over the next few months, I will be meeting with our Board and our Scientific Advisory Board to establish the steps we need to take to accomplish our mission. Each step of the way, I will keep you informed. So far, just the fact that conversations are starting
about this disorder is a step in the right direction, and as Sean said so eloquently, “There’ll be no half steppin.”
Sunday was representative of the intersection of the love for Sean and his music and the recognition of the needless tragedy of his passing. Through his light, we hope to improve the future of people who suffered as he did. It’s “All I Can Do.”
18th
Saturday was the fifteenth, and as you know, a sad monthly reminder. Much has happened in the 7 months that Sean has been gone from us. Sunday was the first board meeting of the Fund, and so I was busy preparing for a meeting and conference call that included 13 people from across the country, so I had no time to put my thoughts to “paper.” This past month, we (Sean’s family and friends) have been trying to put together a benefit concert in early 2009 to raise awareness of our cause and, of course, to raise money. I would like to address both of these issues…
First, awareness: the more I know about bipolar disorder and its co-morbidities, the more I am saddened by how little we know and how limited our interventions are. I am also more aware myself about its incidence; it is a lot more common than I ever knew. The only reason that I can fathom why it flies under the radar screen is embarrassment. I don’t think anyone wants to admit that their moods (or those of their loved ones) fluctuate so rapidly, and that ill-defined triggers make them do things they would never want to admit. Add to this the need to control these feelings, and one would have to admit addictions to whatever substance helps them feel in control. Imagine this: a disease that controls your emotions and causes you to act in unacceptable ways, prohibits you from sleeping, causes reckless behavior and addictions. There is no cure and treatment modalities are often unsuccessful, with side effects that crush the only thing about you that you are proud of: your creativity. It causes you to lash out at those you love the most, as you try to hold it together for others who would not understand. The vicious cycle of self-recrimination and sense of hopelessness must be overwhelming. Yet, we have yet to be able to “mainstream” this disorder like we have depression or alcoholism, and it is robbing us of the very souls who bring understanding of feelings to the rest of us through song, writing, art. We need to understand the origins and triggers of this disorder and find ways to help those who are trapped by their own genius. It is at the vey least in our own best interest.
About money: this is a subject that I basically abhor. If there were a way to live without it, I would be the first in line. I love what money can do to make life easier and prettier. I love sharing the benefits of having money with those I love (one reason why I often have none). I hate asking for it. I hate tracking it. I hate worrying about it. Nonetheless, without it, this fund, as its name implies would be impotent; thus, things like benefits are necessary and actually, also help with awareness. What I want to say is that I am so touched by the donations that have come in to the fund. I can tell they are heartfelt by the amounts: $20, $10 at a time, sometimes from the same person over and over. These are tough times, and parting with any amount is difficult. You need to know that regardless of the amount, each and every dollar helps and is being guarded carefully to be used as our mission states. I am determined to make a difference in Sean’s honor and memory and many of you have become my partners. I cannot thank you enough, and I appreciate every dollar, as Sean would. I treasure your generosity. Without it, the organization will not survive.
Finally, I would like to give you an update on the progress of the fund. We, as I said, have just had a very successful first board meeting, and our board members are very impressive. Most impressive of all, is how much they all love Sean. On Sunday, people gathered from all over the country for a conference call that lasted 2 hours. I was so touched by their willingness to give of their time and talent, for no real reward, that I have been crying off an on since. We are just a few weeks away from our 501c3 designation from the IRS, which enables employer matching, etc. This has been an arduous process and is a really big deal for fundraising and credibility. We are in the process of putting together a benefit with incredible talent…a testimony to Sean’s impact on icons of the industry. Most significantly to me, we have already recruited several renowned clinical researchers in the field of bipolar disorder. They include PhDs from Berkley, UNC Chapel Hill and Harvard, and their enthusiasm is palpable. It seems that they are looking for a way to bridge research and its application in the real world, and that is the purpose of the Fund. I am hoping to bring Sean’s dedication to translating the Blues to every audience to the fund’s mission of bringing interventions that are effective and affordable to those who need it most. What good would music be if it never had an audience? What good is knowledge if it cannot reach those in need?
I am so proud of Sean. This is a statement that could have been hard for me to make. I come from a family of perfectionists. There was no tolerance for mistakes, or less than the best. I tried not to place that burden on Sean or Bridget, as I have learned that it is unattainable and forever frustrating. I just asked them to be honest and to do their best. I did tell them if they had a talent and didn’t use it, it would be a sin. Whatever that talent was, and only to the best of their ability; there was no arbitrary goal. Sean set his sites high on his music and very low on doing the wash! I might cringe at the disorganization, but I accepted it, and told him that I might be able to keep my house neat, but I could never do what he did. So why would I not be proud? Because I judged myself on that standard of perfection: how could I be a good mother and have lost a son this way? Some part of me was embarrassed, and so I am not speaking disparagingly when I talk of the embarrassment of others. Some part of me was angry with Sean. How could he do this to his family? to himself? to me?
I have become humbled by Sean. There have been so many people who have written to me to tell me how he touched their lives, not just by his music, but by his very person. I always knew he was a talented musician (although he would be the first to tell you I know virtually nothing about music) ; but, often wondered about his adult life. Sean moved on his own when he was 19 and had his share of ups and downs, and he was never one to shield me from the details. He said it was because he loved me and treated me like a friend. I often wished he would treat me like most sons treat their mothers – keep them in the dark and pretend! He was never one to boast, if anything, Sean doubted how good or likable he was. Well, I was raised with 16 years of Catholic education and am driven by a very active conscience, but I cannot hold a candle to the spirit that Sean shared while he was on this earth. I am embarrassed for myself, that I would care about what others might think who didn’t know him or me, really. I now know what is more important- what people who knew him thought of him. My heart swells with such pride. Sean grappled with things that would have defeated a lesser person: social anxiety, panic attacks, low self-esteem, intelligence often beyond his emotional age, talent beyond his years, divorced parents, recurrent illness (both him and me), and a disorder that ate at him from the core. Yet, he accomplished more in 29 years than most do in a lifetime. What he earned that I am most proud of is the love and respect of people from around the world. Every day I am touched as he speaks to me through those who loved him. His love of life, his friends and his craft support me every day.
I guess the morals of this story are: I am still learning about Sean; Sean’s friends and fans are wonderful, as he always said they were (he was very proud of his friends and fellow musicians) ; Bipolar Disorder does not have to define a person as no disease has to; Life goes on despite heartbreaking sadness, but a person’s spirit lives on through the people they have touched and loved. Sean’s spirit is still alive to me through you and I will continue to work toward a better future for others who suffer as he did. I wish I could have done this for Sean, but he would have been embarrassed if I had tried. He has left this world with nothing to be embarrassed about.
02nd
Yesterday, WRFG and the Atlanta Blues Society held their Annual Blues and Barbeque Picnic, and chose Sean as their first honoree. It’s always a popular event, and despite clouds and looming rain, the house was packed. The ABS, WRFG and their sponsors did a phenomenal job with professionalism and heartfelt taste. Every detail was well thought out and something of which Sean, as a frequent performer, would have been proud and honored. Glenn and I couldn’t believe the attention and respect given to us and our family. One of the most innovative and special gifts they gave to us and the attendees was a compilation CD with many previously unrecorded, some live, tunes. Included as well, is an interview at WRFG when Sean was only 15, and his voice is so young, it can’t help but get to you.
I was offered the opportunity to speak, and to hear Sean tell the story, that could be a dangerous offer! Even though, in life, Sean was embarrassed of my tales of him, another mother, who has been very successful in her honoring of her late son, told me that I was compelled to speak, if I were to be successful in the mission of the Fund. Speak I did, after being totally humbled by a standing ovation complete with a dozen pink and white roses. Joined on stage by Glenn (looking like a beauty queen with the roses) and Mackinsey and Zach, Sean’s niece and nephew, I asked Sean to help me convey my message as well as he did his. Another ovation followed what seemed to be an eternity of hearing my own voice, but as wonderful as that was, so were the personal comments that I received after I escaped the stage. Person after person thanked me for sharing my story and putting a context to Sean’s passing that heretofore was not available to them. After the dedication, the amount of financial support and offers to help the Fund multiplied and we ended the day with so much love from people who loved Sean, and a very generous offering to the Fund.
We cannot thank the Atlanta Blues Society and WRFG enough for their kindness, nor the musicians who came to honor their friend. I know Sean was there with his trademark smile, proud to be a son of .. :namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn: schemas-microsoft-com: office: smarttags” />Atlanta.
To follow are a copy of my notes, complete with highlights I used to remember points I wanted to emphasize, minus humorous anecdotes about Sean (sorry, Sean, I couldn’t resist!)
“When I was given the opportunity to speak today, I had two fears: that I wouldn’t be able to talk without crying, or that, according to Sean, that I wouldn’t be able to stop talking….
I hope that I can channel Sean and be able to effectively share a message from my heart.
First, I want to THANK WRFG AND THE ATLANTA BLUES SOCIETY for such a wonderful tribute to Sean. They went to a lot of trouble and demonstrated a heartfelt love for Sean in compiling a CD that reflects almost 15 years of Sean’s music. They are, along with you today, REPRESENTING THE BEST OF THE COMMUNITY THAT SEAN LOVED AND CALLED HOME. I know he’s with us today and he’s very grateful, humble and proud.
SEAN LOVED THE BLUES. It reflected the fiber of his being. He started around age 9 with Guns n Roses, and progressed to Jimmy Hendrix. I don’t think we could have listened to another “Hey Joe.” But, around age 13, he met a wonderful bluesman, FELIX REYES, and the rest is history.
YOU know Sean as this gifted musician with an incredible energy on stage. You could literally witness his transformation as he seemed to channel his music from another world, or directly from his soul. What you witnessed was a part of his essence, his artistic expression of a soul that was sensitive, intelligent, and very unsettled. His stage persona was all the more mesmerizing because off stage he was so unassuming. YOU loved the musician. I love and knew the person who was destined to play music.
Sean was born an OLD SOUL as they say. Always bright and incredibly witty, he just seemed to see and feel emotions more than his peers [STORY OF SCHOOL TRIP] He aced tests while hating math, losing most of his homework, having the sloppiest desk and book bag in the class, and missing his share of school while he was often sick, needing to stay home just to regroup, and often because he felt he didn’t fit in.
Empirically, this self doubt made no sense. Neighbors would tell me he was popular in school. Kids of all ages would knock for him to come out to play with them. He would invent the scenario of the day: sometimes it might be Viet Nam (in full camouflage), other times, the Renaissance – and who knows what else – but always creative, always his mood/idea. He was cast in every play, from MLK in the 3rd grade, to a believable Ted Koppel in the 8th. Teachers loved him and he seemed to excel. He was sweet, well behaved and smart,
AT HOME, THOUGH, THERE WAS A DIFFERENT SEAN: easily frustrated, unable to sit to do homework or eat dinner, liking to be alone and often “blue.” This is the side he shared with me and I worried for him. The guitar was his constant companion, but so was insecurity, frequent illness and a lack of self-esteem.
On the other hand, HE WAS THE FAMILY ENTERTAINER, whether it was a Michael Jackson impersonation, a French accent, or just plain silliness, when Sean laughed, the world laughed. He was hysterical, as many of you know.
He loved his grandparents who were part of his daily life for years, especially my Dad, whom he resembled more than any other grandchild did in looks and personality. His picture stood on Sean’s mantle right next to BB King’s. He demonstrated a respect and compassion for his elders for his entire life. He adored his sisters. Whatever mood he was in, if Allison or Bridget walked into the room, his face would light up. His love for, and need for love from others was that genuine.
By the end of grade school, though, I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep him in high school, so I searched for a school for right brained kids…the closest thing I could find was a Jazz band at what was then Northside HS, now North Atlanta, the performing arts school of Atlanta. Here, he wasn’t so different, and with the mentorship of Reggie Colbert, he thrived – the Louis Armstrong award, Seventeen Magazine, “Best Dressed” (too shy to get his picture taken). Here too, he excelled academically keeping up college prep and AP courses while maintaining a grueling schedule of weekend gigs in Memphis. He loved History and English. He became fluent in Spanish, skipping Spanish 2 going directly to 3 because his teacher thought his family was bilingual! I later found out, in Sean fashion, that he would take his Mexican friends to job interviews in his 64 Falcon and act as translator.
All during this time, from around age 12, I took Sean to counselors to help him with what I thought were depression and a genetic predisposition for alcohol dependency. He always came away with the same diagnosis: he’s wonderful, nice, bright, talented and self-aware. I came away looking neurotic and making Sean more and more uncomfortable with my fears.
I have been asked many times what it was like to have Sean, the prodigy, as a son. I could never truthfully answer because my response would have been too revealing and difficult to believe. I worried day and night, I worried and tried to help him find his way.
Recently, articles have been written about Sean’s death but they cannot ever capture the beauty and complexity of his life. They mention bipolar disorder, but don’t explain its dangers and how it contributed to Sean’s passing.
BIPOLAR DISORDER SIMPLY MEANS THAT A PERSON HAS BOUTS WITH BOTH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, BUT THEY LITERALLY GET STUCK IN THEM, CALLED “CYCLING.” People with Bipolar Disorder walk and talk like you and me. In fact, a percentage of us and/or our children have it whether we know it or not, an even larger percentage because of the number of musicians and artistic people represented here, and maybe even because we are drawn to the music called “Blues.”
IT TAKES, ON THE AVERAGE, 10 years and 7 psychiatrists before a person is accurately diagnosed. For Sean, it was about 15 years! It is frequently associated with creative genius like Mozart and Beethoven, Van Gogh, and Sean. (MoJo magazine called him an under recognized guitar genius.) During the span between onset and diagnosis, the mood swings, anxiety, inability, to sleep, propensity for risky behavior, take their toll and to survive, people self-medicate. The incidence of drug and alcohol abuse in this population is alarmingly high. Add to this equation, the life of a musician where the bar tab is part of the compensation plan the problem is exacerbated. When someone is horribly shy, has panic attacks, hasn’t slept well for days or even weeks, but needs to perform, the temptation to feel well enough to go on stage, to make a successful living, is overwhelming.
Sean took his craft seriously. He studied and became a music scholar who earned the respect of the likes of James Cotton, Hubert Sumlin, Jodie Williams, Levon Helm and the friendship of the Grammy award winning producer of the likes of the Rolling Stones and Coldplay, Steve Rosenthal. Despite this recognition, it was never about him. He paid his band members more than he could afford in order to help them. He always saw their situation as needier than his. He mourned each one of them when they needed to leave the band and remained friends with each of them. The days leading up to his passing were fraught with emotional disappointment, medical complications, and an overriding fear that this CD, too, wouldn’t be enough to afford him the life of an independent adult. He never took our help for granted and wanted to be able to stand alone.
Most of you know none of this because Sean was professional and responsible at all times. I was always proud of his emotional courage. He wouldn’t want his legacy to be tabloid exploitations of a mistake he made in private. He would want it to be his music and his love of life.
I am asking you to remember his music, but I am asking more than that. I am asking for support for the Fund started in his name, sot that NOT ONE OTHER INNOCENT, WONDERFUL GIFTED person’s life be cut so short. This disease is deadly, with an alarming rate of early death due to suicide or accidental overdose…just to stop feeling, just for a second. [Note: Sean's death has been ruled accidental as anyone who loved Sean already knew. ]
Recent reviews lament that sean was the messenger that could have taken the blues to a place of mass appeal and appreciation. That was his goal – his life journey. He never got a chance to complete this dream. That and to be normal, with a home and a family. That was my dream for him. [Ray Hangen, his former drummer recently told me that Sean would say: "My Mom knows what I want." ]
If you love Sean’s music, or any music for that matter, I ask that you take our mission seriously. Musicians often don’t have health insurance and have a difficult life just to be able to express what is in their nature to do. They give us a great gift, even while people pirate their work and begrudge tips or covers. Where else can you get someone’s work for free and take it with you wherever you go to make you feel better? If you want to avenge Sean’s unnecessary early leave from us, as I do, I ask you to be generous and creative in your support, as well as kind and understanding of others who suffer in silence as he did. It would be what Sean would do for you and did do for others.
Thank you for being here today and for all that you have done for Sean, me and my family and again, THANK YOU TO WRFG AND THE ATLANTA BLUES SOCIETY. Sean’s light keeps on shining in my mind, day and night, it just keeps shining all the time…”
12th
2008 Buffalo Benefit Concert
BUFFALO BENEFIT GREAT SUCCESS
On Sunday, July 6th, Ray Hangen and his wife, Gabrielle, organized a wonderful tribute to Sean to benefit the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research. Sean had a strong connection to the Buffalo Music Community which began when Ray Hangen became his drummer after the self-titled CD, Sean Costello. Indicative of the kindness of Ray and his family was the fact that whenever Sean stayed in Buffalo, he was given Gabrielle’s mother’s home to use as his own. I often talked to Sean as he was driving over to Ray’s to hang out or have dinner with them and their 3 children: Michaela, Jacob and Grace. Sean was absorbed into their family and came home with crayon drawings of “The Band” and many tales of how wonderful the kids were and how much he enjoyed them. Here, he had a second home.
Glenn and I went to Buffalo for the benefit despite reservations on my part about being able to socialize and keep from crying to the detriment of the event. I should not have worried. Gabrielle works 3 days a week, has three children ages 6, 8 and 10, and had just moved the family into their new home 1 and ½ weeks prior to the benefit. Despite these responsibilities, she welcomed us into her home and gave up their room. She organized everything from professional posters, to raffles and food sales. She awoke at 6:30 AM and made fruit kabobs, placed table cloths, arranged the club, etc (with the help of Michaela, Jake, and Grace). She then worked the door from 1 PM until almost 11PM.
Ray recruited and organized all of the performances and filled in as drummer for almost the entire day. Given that he has been too distraught to listen to Sean’s last CD, We Can Get Together, on which he plays, this was a commitment of pure love for Sean. The sentiments of the Hangen family are apparent on the beautiful poster, where they refer to Sean as their friend and brother. The way that Ray and Gabrielle and their family love Sean is such a tribute to him, that as a mother, I was never more proud or touched.
The day was very warm for Buffalo, and despite the heat, each of the bands played their hearts out. There were so many bands that wanted to play, they were limited to 15 minute sets, and still they came and played. I have never been to Buffalo before. I knew that Sean loved Ray and his family. I can now honestly say that I love them, too. Most of the bands were from Buffalo, and they included:
Jack Civiletto
Allen St. Jazz Band
Acid Funk Duo, featuring Ron Davis and Ray Hangen
Mr. Conrad
Bass Reeves & The Outfit
The Allison Pipitone Band
Mark Winsick Band
The Blues Hounds
Scott Cable
Dave Gross with Gina Sicilia
That Buffalo has a wealth of talent is evidenced by Sean’s choice of musicians in the past few years and was demonstrated to me Sunday. In addition to the talent and generosity of the musicians, many of whom stayed the whole day and contributed generously to the Fund, were the Blues fans of Buffalo. Each person I met was nicer than the next and conveyed a love for Sean the person as well as Sean’s talent. I want to thank Scott Cable who came all the way from North Carolina and was there all day, adding guitar to whomever needed him. A special acknowledgment goes to Gina Sicilia and Dave Gross who drove all the way from DC to participate on Sean’s behalf, arriving late in the evening and putting their heart and soul into their performance. They are obviously talented young blues performers; however, their kind and generous spirits magnified the impact of their performance. Sean was similar in nature and would wish them, as I do, all the best with their careers. All they need is a little luck; talent, looks, personality and work ethic are already apparent.
I cannot thank Ray and Gabrielle enough for the way in which they honored Sean. There are no words to convey how I appreciated their love and caring for Sean and now his legacy. As his mother, I always worried about him when he was on the road. I now know that I had nothing to worry about when he was in Buffalo and I do not doubt that they will keep his memory alive in their hearts. I can ask for no greater gift. Monetarily, the event was a great success, donating as much to the fund as a Blues Festival earlier this spring. Greater than that, to me, is the love they shared with me for Sean. We will never forget Buffalo and the Hangen family, as Sean never did. They will live in our hearts right next to Sean. We hope to use their endeavor to increase our knowledge of Bipolar Disorder and improve outcomes of treatment so that no other Mother has to lose her son through this disease. Sean was a gifted musician, that I knew; however, I am beginning to see that his greatest gift were his friends in the Blues community. I hope to be able to return the gift in some way.
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