Shawn BarnettShawn Barnett,
Deaf Drummer
by Paul Winfree, Co-Founder at ASL Cafe

Hello to whomever knew Shawn Dale Barnett, Deaf Drummer.

I received sadden news from one of his band mate.Cazzy Love. He has given me permission to share his messages to our Deaf Rochester Mailing List.

Shawn Dale Barnett and his bandmate Cazzy Love came to Rochester, NY to perform with ASL Cafe. They played very well and was so loud for deaf people in the show to feel their music. Shawn has asked me to play with them as bassist and we jammed some blue music. We had great time the following night after ASL Cafe show.

Below the messages is Cazzy Love's own words about Shawn's passed away this morning. (Sunday, February 23)

Shawn BarnettShawn Dale Barnett died this morning
Contributed by Harold Hickman

Hello there people...

Yes, Shawn Dale Barnett, died this morning....Im crushed...let me tell you! Here's the full letter I posted...on The Orlando Weekly Message Board.I just wanted to mention that the Deaf Drummer I played with Shawn Dale Barnett, who played with Alice in Chains, died today at 8:08 this morning. I've been crying for awhle now since Shawn and I became great buddies touring and on the road. Shawn was very sick, as some of you may know. He had brain cancer,stomach cancer,liver cancer and bone cancer. It was ravaging his body...He had tumors on his face, and a tumor in his shoulder that actually broke his collar bone.

Face it, he was in serious pain. They had him on 1" morphine patches, and gradually the patches had to be increased in size. Shawn died with his folks at his side in his home in Leavenworth,Kansas.

The last time he came to Orlando to play at the Lost and Found he was really in serious pain but didn't let anyone know, just me.As some of you know besides playing with Alice in Chains briefly and living with Layne Staley, he opened for Guns and Roses,Poison,Reo Speedwagon,Warrant,Faster Pussycat,Morris Day and the Time,Jimmy Page with The Black Crowes...and I don't know who else...He had a rough life, Shawn did...

Being beaten up by L.A. gang members,stabbed in the neck, and even shot in the leg, all because he waS deaf and wanted to play Rock and Roll.Thank goodnes I was able to record a 3 song demo CD with Shawn at Ben Shader's CRUSH studios before he passed away.His girlfriend is sending me the cover she made for the CD soon.I don't know what else to say except I'll miss you Shawn, my brother, and thanks for allowing me to play guitar with you...I'll never forget you,man! Peace(Finally!)