Memories of Sean Costello (42)

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 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

To Sean's family, friends and loves who had the pleasure of having this brilliant young man in their lives, I can only best express my sympathy and pay tribute by telling you that he deeply touches me and produces tears every time I play "Don't Pass Me By." I am sure every one who loved his music would admit the same. Rest assured that I will not pass you by Sean--I will turn to you often and let you make me smile and cry as I hear you sing and play for me. I will think of you at the Waukesha festival and will wish you were there. We can get together now with you Sean---any time we want

They say that time heals...and I suppose it does (at least I hope it does). And I can certainly say that it's going to take LOTS of time to accept this. This loss is so huge and so painful and it affects so many, most importantly Sean's family. Blessings and love to his folks and I hope they know how many of us think of them and silently send strength. Thank you for Sean - he was truly one of a kind.

We live in Atlanta and Sean was one of our own. After following him and his band for almost 15 years, my husband and I feel we've lost a member of our family. We are so very proud of him and, though we're not necessarily blues fans, we will always be SEAN COSTELLO FANS. As almost every single person who knows me knows, I have been slightly obsessed with Sean. It's been so hard to understand why I felt this strong attachment to him - I've been a Sean Groupie (I'm 45 years old and this NEVER happens to me). I used to tell him he was so darn hot and that I wish I was 15 years younger (he humored me but probably thought I was bizarre). The MAIN THING I always loved about Sean was his gentle spirit and his humility. What a soft-spoken, understated way he had about him...I have so very many wonderful memories of him.

Peace to the many people who care about Sean. "There'll Be No Half Steppin'", Sweet Sean. I hope you enjoy the Sean Costello Flower Garden in my yard...and I hope you're resting in peace right now. It's going to take some time to accept for sure but know that we will never, never forget you.

Deepest sympathies to Sean's Mother , family and friends.
I first heard of Sean when my cousin called me up about 4yearsago and told me I just had to see him at the Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse NY. I had never heard of him. When I arrived I looked around the room and it seemed every player in town who was'nt gigging themselves that night was there. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation. From the first note he played I knew I was about to hear something truly remarkable. Sean did not disappoint. He played licks that left my jaw dropping all night. Everytime he pulled a new trick out of his bag my cousin and I would look at each other and just shake our heads, smiling all night long. Never heard anyone like him before or since. Yeah, I had to buy a copy of each of the CDs he was hawking after the show. They still get constant rotation on my player. He just kept getting better and his latest is an extraordinary piece of work. I can't help but choke up hearing his singing and playing on " Going Home". Just my opinion, but I think this new CD is the best thing anyone has put out in many years.
The third , and sadly last, time I saw Sean was at the Dinosaur once again. I had gone early to get some dinner before the show. In walks Sean , hours before showtime, just another guy. No pretense, no star treatment expected. I was apparently the only one who recognized him so I introduced myself and told him how much I was looking forward to his show. He spent the next half hour or so talking with me about everything under the sun. Blues in general, the state of the music business, our favorite players, guitars, women , life in general. He was as easy to talk with as a friend you've know for years. It's a half hour of my life I will always treasure. Of course he put on another blistering show that night.
I wondered after Stevie passed so many years ago, if I'd ever hear anyone who touched me as much with his playing. Sean did. He was one of the best. I'd be excited for weeks just hearing he was coming to town again and was anxiously awaiting his next appearance. He will be missed.
Peace be with you Sean. And thanks for the memories