Sean Fitzgerald Memorial - Gaelic League, Detroit - April 11th, 2010

By Krazy K
Motor City Blogger

Last Sunday, perhaps the greatest collection of Detroit based singer-songwriters to gather under one roof, celebrated the life of Sean Fitzgerald. From locally grown-and-known acts, to nationally recognized performers, they traveled from across the country to be at The Gaelic League in Detroit, Michigan on April 11th, 2010.

Sean Fitzgerald was one of Detroit's most talented and original musicians, and an icon in the eyes of many up and coming singer-songwriters. His passion for local music, local venues, and open-mikes was second to none. Sean was known to host many quality, "listening" open-mikes, and helped create a standard of quality seldom seen at other venues. His most common phrase at the end of songs was, "Support local music, and support the venues that support local musicians." He was truly one of the pillars of the metro-Detroit songwriter community.

In a somewhat melancholy pride, Sean's own speakers powered the audio shared by his closest friends and family on that afternoon. His acoustic Guild guitar, with the custom-cut Oasis sticker that read "as is", sat silently next to an empty chair on stage. The painting of Sean, where he is seated most comfortably next to his mixing board, hung on the wall overlooking the room. His music performed by his friends, a toast by his father Bob, and the ensuing "all-star" open-mike was a worthy and empowering tribute to the man some called "Mr. Fitz". The fact this many talented performers, and members of Sean's family (including two guitars), gathered in one room, speaks volumes more of his character than I care to elaborate.

Check out his memorial page here: Sean Fitzgerald

And remember, support local music and the venues that support local musicians.