D. Keith Sneddon - Published in the Morning Call on 5/18/2008.
D. Keith Sneddon, of Allentown, passed away May 16, 2008, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem, at the age of 55. He was born in Norristown to Donald and Faune (Raker) Sneddon and had been married to Denise (Lentz) for the past 17 months.

Keith was a graduate of Methacton High School, class of 1971, and Bloomsburg University. He worked as a sales associate for Radio Shack, Bethlehem, and was a member of Seibert E.C. Church, Allentown. He played softball for Vapco, sang in the Zion Choral and played the trumpet in the brass choir at his church. Keith was predeceased by his father and brother, Tim.

Survivors: Wife; mother; two brothers, Scott and wife Deb Sneddon, George and wife Bridget Sneddon; nieces, Noah, Carley; nephew, Eben. Services: A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Seibert E.C. Church, Allentown, and followed by a luncheon. Arrangements, Weber Funeral Home, Allentown.

Atlanta blues guitarist Sean Costello found dead
By RICHARD L. ELDREDGE - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Published on: 04/16/2008

News of Atlanta blues artist Sean Costello's death shocked fans and friends of his Wednesday, many of whom had been preparing to help the musician celebrate his 29th birthday Wednesday night. Costello's unexpected passing Tuesday on the eve of his birthday party was just the sort of ironic bluesy twist the prolific songwriter routinely worked into the songs on his critically acclaimed albums.

His body was found at the Cheshire Motor Inn where he was staying as a guest. When the singer didn't respond, a call to 911 was placed. An immediate cause of death was not known. According to Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office investigator B. Honey, there were no signs of foul play in the singer's motel room. A toxicology report is pending.

Cheshire Motor Inn general manager Lorraine Williams was on duty when Costello, an occasional guest there, checked in Tuesday. "I knew he was a well-known entertainer," Williams said. "We would talk when he would come in. He was probably just celebrating his birthday. When they found him, I just had to walk away. ... It hit me hard."

Costello's Myspace page posted a blog entry under the heading: "Sean Costello, April 16, 1979 to April 15, 2008: With a heavy heart we have to announce that Sean Costello passed away early this morning, Tuesday April 15."  Below it, dozens of grieving fans have begun posting messages. When fans accessed the social networking Internet page, Costello's trademark guitar licks and growling vocals greeted them, performing "Going Home," a track from his latest album, "We Can Get Together" that was released Feb. 19.

"I'm stunned," said Bryan Cole, an Atlanta blues record producer and musician. Cole got word of the singer's death via e-mails circulating in Atlanta's music community. "Sean was an immense talent. He had the fire of Buddy Guy. He had his whole career way in front of him. He'll be missed."

Delta Groove, the baby-faced musician's recording label, issued this statement: "As blues music fans, we unfortunately grow somewhat accustomed to the sadness of the inevitable passing of musical elders. Losing someone as young, vibrant and talented as Sean is a terribly difficult blow."

Wednesday night, the owners of Northside Tavern, Costello's longtime Atlanta musical home, planned to pay tribute to the singer with an informal gathering of friends and fellow musicians starting at 10 p.m.

A public viewing for Costello will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church Street, Marietta. The singer's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Shrine of Immaculate Conception, 48 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, donations to the singer's non-profit, The Sean Costello Foundation for Bi-Polar Research, are requested. To donate, call 678-384-0063 or e-mail tray@bbandt.com.
 

Blues Guitarist Jerry Ricks Dies (December 10, 2007 - Associated Press)
ZAGREB, Croatia - American blues guitarist "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks, who mastered the sound of the 1930s' Delta Blues, died in a clinic in Croatia on Monday. He was 67.

Ricks learned from and performed with blues greats such as Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Lightnin' Hopkins.

He and his wife, Nancy, moved to Croatia this year after performing a concert in the country. His death was announced by the Croatian Music Union, which said he had been hospitalized in August after a stroke.

Ricks was born in Philadelphia and began playing guitar in the coffee house where he washed dishes.

He played throughout Europe in the 1970s and 1980s, recording albums in Germany, Hungary and Yugoslavia. In the 1990s, he returned to the United States to live in the Mississippi Delta, before deciding this year to move to Kastav, Croatia.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately made public.

Chantel Rey (11/2007) - It is with Great and Deep Sadness that we tell you all of the passing of our beloved Chantal Rey,  Michael Cloeren's Soul Mate. Since 2003, Chantal & Michael traveled to dozens of "Blues Events" from National Festivals to High Profile Clubs and to MANY Hip Juke Joint's and Concerts throughout America. Chantal LOVED Roots Music, she touched EVERYONE that she met including the lives of many Blues Musicians, Presenters, Managers their family's and Fans from around the World. May her memory last forever!

Michael J. Turzanski, 46, of Freemansburg, died in his home on October 26, 2007. He was the husband of Susan E. (Irelan) Turzanski. They were married 27 years. Born in Easton, he was the son of Eleanor (Zawadski) Turzanski of Freemansburg and the late Richard Turzanski. Michael was a 1979 graduate of Freedom High School and Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech. He was employed for more than 20 years as a truck driver for New Penn Co., Reading. He was of the Catholic faith. Survivors: In addition to his wife and mother are daughters, Michelle L. Turzanski of New Brunswick, N.J. and Danielle S. Turzanski of Bethlehem; brother, Richard Turzanski of Freemansburg. Services: Relatives and friends are invited to his graveside service on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 2 p.m. In Holy Saviour Cemetery. Procession to the graveside will form in front of the mausoleum. Arrangements are entrusted to the Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. Online condolences may be made at: www.longfuneralhome.com . Contributions: In Michaels memory may be made to Pinebrook Services, 402 N. Fulton Street, Allentown, PA 18102.  Published in the Morning Call on 10/30/2007.

Jeff Sarli - 1958-2006 We are sad to announce that a good friend of ours has passed. Many of you probably saw Jeff perform with Levon Helm and the Barn Burners, and maybe you heard him on the Stones album Bridges to Babylon. I was fortunate enough to have him play on a couple of tunes on my last album (Abraham and Corporate Cowboy - Matt Angus- Matt Angus 2006). He was good guy and a great player and he will be missed. Thanks for the killer playing Jeff, it was appreciated. Feel free to read the Washington post article at: http://www.mattangus.com/news/

Submitted by: Barry Hay for Matt Angus

On behalf of the LVBN, staff, members and volunteers .... The LVBN needs YOU!!!