Birmingham area singer-songwriter Dan Sartain is being remembered as a “true artist” following his death Saturday at age 39.
His family announced his death through a GoFundMe page which quickly raised its goal. The family said any further funds will be used for his daughter.
“Dan Sartain left us many memories and music, but has unfortunately left us way too early,” a statement on the page read.
Sartain brandished his own version of the blues and rockabilly with a nod to punk, opening for The White Stripes and The Hives. He rode a creative streak beginning with his self-released debut, “Crimson Guard,” in 2001, through nine other albums, with 2016′s “Century Plaza.”
In a 2012 interview with AL.com, Sartain talked about his childhood growing up in Fairfield, Center Point and Bluff Park, and how he found a waiting audience and influence in Europe.
“We can sing about love and it doesn’t have to be hard all the time,” he said.
Carter Wilson was Sartain’s drummer for six years. He said the singer had “a wonderful charisma that lights up a room.”
“He was a beautiful person,’ Carter said. “Amazing on stage. New or old fans would instantly recognize that. His music was so good. I wish more people had gotten to know him personally. He was an extremely generous and thoughtful person, a dear friend.”
Charlie Wilson, Carter’s wife and a venue manager and producer on the Birmingham music scene, said 2020 had been a challenging year for Sartain personally. Yet he had a distinctive personality.
“Dan was a fun person that you always knew you were going to have an adventure with,” Charlie said. “He was quirky and eccentric but he had a heart of gold and he was always willing to share his fun times and adventures with you.”
The Wilsons said Sartain had just completed his first full-length album of new material in six years during the pandemic. That was part of his personality as an artist, Carter said - always looking forward.
“I thought it was some of his best material,” Carter said. “It really harkened back to the real classic era of Dan’s music. It was a nice call back. Easiest record I’ve ever made. It just came naturally. I hope it sees the light of day.”
This story was modified at 5:28 p.m. March 21 to remove incorrect information from another news source.