Séan McCann (musician)

Sean McCann
McCann in 2012.
Background information
Born	May 22, 1967
Origin	Gull Island, Newfoundland, Canada
Genres	Folk-Rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Singing, acoustic guitar, bodhran, tin whistle
Website	www.greatbigsea.com, www.greatbigsean.com
Notable instruments
Takamine guitar with a hole worn through, bodran

Séan McCann "The Shantyman" (born May 22, 1967,^[1] Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada) is a singer and musician (playing bodhran, shakers, tin whistle and guitar) in his former band Great Big Sea. He announced plans to stop touring with the band at the end of December 2013.

Early life

He was born to Anita and Edward McCann. His mother was born in Northern Bay and his father in Gull Island. When he was a child, his family moved to St. John's. He was raised Roman Catholic.^[2] He is married and has 2 sons. He now lives in Manotick, a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario.^[3]

Career

He met up with his former bandmates at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he left his pursuit of a Master's degree in Folklore unfinished when Great Big Sea was formed.

McCann is an avid fan of world-music. His tastes vary from Bob Marley to Coldplay. Proof that he is a fan of Bob Marley is shown through his two beagles, Tosh and Marley. McCann used to write a blog on Great Big Sea's website, http://www.greatbigsea.com/, in the eyes of Tosh the dog.^[4] Tosh recounts his doggy endeavors while accompanying the band on tour.

McCann has launched a website of his own, http://www.greatbigsean.com/, showcasing his first solo effort, "Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes", an album that was released February 23, 2010 to pleasing critical success. His second album "Son of a Sailor" was released February 8, 2011.

He, along with his former bandmates, has finished recording their tenth album. He also appeared with the rest of Great Big Sea in British Columbia at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Victory Ceremony on February 26, 2010, headlining the Newfoundland-Labrador Night.

Séan McCann performed on BalconyTV Toronto in July 2011.

McCann's new solo album, titled "Help Your Self" was released 29 January 2014.^[5]

In June 2016 McCann released the folk song "Proud (To Be a Canadian)" for free online in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross to benefit victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires.^[6] McCann told The Canadian Press that his feelings of despair over the disaster led him to write the lyrics. Once he was finished he contacted fellow musician Jeremy Fisher to help him in the studio.^[7]

Departure From Great Big Sea

On November 14, 2013 Séan McCann announced via Facebook that he would be leaving the band at the end of the XX tour.^[8] The same day, McCann refused to comment on his departure, but claimed he will comment on it in 2014.^[9]

In an interview with Bob Mersereau for the CBC, Séan discussed his life changes. "I stopped drinking two and a half years ago, I've decided to leave the band I've been in for 20 years. I'm 46 years old, and I've decided to make ...changes." ^[10]

Albums

• Lullabies for the Bloodshot Eyes
• Son of a Sailor
• Help Your Self^[11]

References

1. band bio http://www.greatbigsea.com/about/sean_bio.aspx
2. The E-Carillon: Arts
3. Saxberg, Lynn. "Sean McCann: Sober, solo and living in Manotick". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
4. Tosh (tells no) Tails http://www.greatbigsea.com/about/GBS_ToshsTails.aspx
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXromLOLU30
6. "Fort McMurray Benefit Song". Red Cross Canada. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
7. Friend, David (June 29, 2016). "Great Big Sea's Sean McCann pens Fort McMurray tribute song". Retrieved July 14, 2016.
8. https://www.facebook.com/GreatBigSean/posts/10151975885722156
9. http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2013-11-15/article-3481864/Sean-McCann-leaves-Great-Big-Sea/1
10. http://www.cbc.ca/nb/mt/east-coast-music/2014/02/sean-mccann-on-quitting-drinking-quitting-great-big-sea-turning-it-into-a-great-album.html
11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXromLOLU30

{{Official Website }}