Music and media go hand in hand. The talented ones make and perform the music while us media folks cover the music and use photos taken by our photographers and videographers to showcase it…well earlier this summer one of Ottawa’s favourite photographers, Sean Sisk, suddenly took ill right at the start of RBC Bluesfest. Since then he’s been in an Ottawa hospital ICU unable to work and unable to earn a living. Although his condition is improving daily his recovery is going to take time so it could be a while before Sean is fully recovered and able to earn a living again. Last night music and media once again joined forces at the Overflow Brewing Company, this time to shine a spotlight on one of our own and to remind us all of how fragile our lives can be.

CTV Anchor Graham Richardson speaks at Sean Sisk Benefit Concert at Overflow Brewing Co. Photo: Renée Doiron

As many of you know Sean was a big part of Sound Check Entertainment several years ago when he became the first photographer to grace our pages. Sean helped up usher in an ERA that see’s us with photographers in every major city in Canada, across the United States and soon to be expanding into Europe and Australia. Sean helped us set the bar for a photo standard that is among the best in the world a reputation that we’re proud of and without Sean that likely would’ve been much harder to achieve.

Taming Sari performs at Overflow Brewing Co. Photo: Renée Doiron

Even though Sean may have left our publication several years ago he will always have an important place in our honour roll and I’ll always consider him a friend. When the benefit was announced, even though I was on holidays and had little cell service, I immediately purchased a pair of tickets so that my wife and I could attend and show our support for Sean and his family.

Angelina Hunter Trio performs at Overflow Brewing Co. Photo: Renée Doiron

The night was wall to wall live music. Although we missed the first few hours, due to the Stanley Cup visit to Prescott, we made it just in time to catch the end of Chris Zimmerman’s set. Plenty of highlights from the night including stellar performances by the Angelina Hunter Trio, Mischa, John Allaire, Kelly Prescott and an amazing grand finale with the Uninvited Guests.

Every single artist, out of the 15 in the lineup, had a connection to Sean…as did pretty much everyone in attendance. The lineup reminded me a lot of what we’re given at RBC Bluesfest on a given night, a little bit of country (Nayana & Kelly Prescott) a little bit of Rock and Roll (Little Bones, Angelina Hunter Trio, Taming Sari, John Allaire, Uninvited Guests) and a even a little bit of rap, Mischa.

John Allaire performs at Overflow Brewing Co. Photo: Renée Doiron

It was humbling to see the community get together to support Sean…John Allaire said it best we don’t support each other because we owe it to them. We do it because it’s the right thing to do.

As I said earlier Sean may be on the road to recovery now but that road to recovery is going to be long and he’ll need our continued support on that journey. If you want to help Sean and his family you can click here for the GoFundMe.