Shaun Batho

Comment

Comment by Candace Sweener on February 8, 2009 at 2:25pm

Well Shaun, what can I say about you that everyone hasn't already mentioned. You are such a great guy, best guitar player, a wonderful husband to Amy and I know you will make a great Dad as well. I think back onto all the times we have spent together and man we did have some fun huh?! You were one of my closest friends back then and hope that we can rebuild that again. You were one of my biggest leaners and I can't thank you enough for always being there. If it wasn't for you, I think my life would have been quite boring during that time. (LOL) We both met Kevin and Amy around the same time, so naturally we concentrated on them and we grew apart. Now, I hope that we all can be just as good as friends as you and I were back then. I just wanted to say thank you for some of the best times in my life, and for being there for me. I will never forget it!! You were truly a leaner for me.

Comment by Amy on January 29, 2009 at 12:55pm

I LOVE reading what other people write about you and sooo glad they know what I know......love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Corey Zink on January 29, 2009 at 11:09am

What can I say about Shaun that most people do not know?
I will start by saying he is what you call a “true friend”. When I was little I envied Shaun for many of the things he did. He is quite a bit older than me –HA! HA! HA!
No really, I saw him learning to play music when I was still too small to really do anything that sounded like music so I would think well, I will never catch up to him or be able to be friends with him. Five years seams like a lot when you are that young. As you know there’s a big difference in what an eight years old and do compared to a thirteen year old. Anyway it just did not seem like reality would ever allow me to be in his circle of friends or talent bracket. I saw him progress so fast, I admired him for being so dedicated and I loved the fact that he wanted to learn from my dad too. I was always behind Shaun growing up. Just not quite up to par to fit into his jam sessions. I also had a much harder time adapting to Bluegrass music than he did. I have always been a real Country boy.
Through all these years of Shaun and I being around each other he was the only one who ever encouraged me out of all the other young musicians in his group of friends, He also always thought of me and welcomed me to come and listen to them all play together. Always told me to go get my instrument, I didn’t go get it because I saw the others cringe. That meant so much to me because I just really wanted to fit in. As Shaun became better and better and stated to perform on stage, I thought oh well, forget us ever playing together. I thought we would only be friendly with each other when we were together and I would never really have a tight relationship with him. Time has proved me so wrong. I was honored to be asked to fill in with Shaun’s Bluegrass band for the remainder of their summer shows. Boy did this put me to the test. I felt so pleased to be asked. I thought, boy now I have to impress Shaun, I have to meet his standards; I have to be as bluegrass as I can be for him. Shaun does not know this but all the work that I put into that summer was just to get his approval. I wanted to fit; I wanted to be one in his crowd. Shaun spent that summer becoming the best friend I could have ever imagined having, He let me know that I needed to be me, and not something I wasn’t he encouraged me, and complimented me and really gave me more than he knows by doing so. I found something in Shaun that made our friendship even tighter, I could listen to him play his guitar and I could hear my dad coming through his playing. It was like he was doing it for me, I heard him change his style to fit me. I know that until Shaun and I are grey and old I will always be able to play with a piece of my Dads guitar. That means so much to me. I hear my dad in me and I hear my dad in him and I know that I will have that forever thanks to Shaun.
You know when you have true friends. They are the ones creating Leaning moments with you, you can count on them, you can love them for all their little quirks- and boy does Shaun have a few, just kidding! I have some of the same ones. They are the ones who listen and help you figure things out while you talk. In my case, I usually ramble to him for miles and by the time we arrive somewhere I usually have no idea what I have said. Then I realize Shaun has said very little. So you see how he has to deal with my quirks?
Anyway it is just so great to have a friend always a phone call away, one who I can draw strength for when I need it, and give strength to when he needs it. I can’t put a price on our friendship. All I can say is that I am so fortunate to have Shaun in my life. I am so proud of all we have accomplished together in our band and in our friendship. We make a great team on stage. We make great friends. I can’t wait to be great dads, side by side watching our kids playing music together someday. I also look forward to you always being older than me. LOL
I’ll push you up on stage in a wheel chair if I have to.

Shaun thanks for becoming the friend I can’t be without. Your friendship means more to me than a Calton Case.
Love Corey

Comment by Punky Zink on January 29, 2009 at 9:36am

See that smile on Shaun's face. There's a thousand words there. I don't think I've ever seen Shaun when he didn't have a smile for you. For me, he's truly one of the greats in many ways....friendship, personality, talent, and dedication to anything he decides to tackle. I know you've heard it said that you can have many friends, but you really know who your REAL friends are. Shaun is one of those real friends you can always count on. They don't come any better or more sincere. If you know Shaun, all you have to do is look at his picture and pretend he's there in front of you and you'll see what I mean...what a guy, what a friend and what an asset to humanity. Thanks Shaun for being part of all of our lives. The world is truly fortunate to have you as a leaner....

Comment by Melissa Zink on January 29, 2009 at 9:27am

Shaun is one of the greatest friends you could ask for...And Amy is right, a great "hugger"! No mater the situation Shaun can make you feel happy. He ALWAYS has an ear ready if you need someone to listen, and will always be there to help you should you need it. You will feel so comfortable around him the second you meet him. Corey and I enjoy so much being with shaun, amy, cassie and della :) Camping, or just hanging out. But alot of our best memories are from camping for sure. Those bluegrass festivals are just awesome. The people you are surrounded with are so uplifting. Shaun is a part of that, and adds to every weekend we all spend together. I have never seen shaun in a bad mood, well unless it was REALLLLLLY hot out! ;) He is so important to my husband, he wouldn't want to play on stage next to anyone other than shaun, his right hand man :) I too enjoy the compassion that you can see in him when he is on stage playing. and it's not just us who can see it...its everyone. Thank you shaun for being a great friend to corey and I and the boys..We love you, you "cute litle guy on the end"