Séan McCann (musician)

Séan "The Shantyman" McCann (born 22 May 1967)[1] is a singer and musician (playing bodhran, shakers, tin whistle and guitar) who formerly played with Great Big Sea, a band he co-founded. He announced plans to stop touring with the group at the end of December 2013.

Sean McCann
McCann in 2012.
Background information
Born (1967-05-22) 22 May 1967
Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
OriginGull Island, Newfoundland, Canada
GenresFolk-Rock
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsSinging, acoustic guitar, bodhran, tin whistle
Websiteseanmccannsings.com

After exiting Great Big Sea, McCann publicly admitted a secret past in which he used alcohol to mask the pain of sexual abuse by a priest.[2] His fifth solo album was titled There’s a Place.

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.[3] He is married and has 2 sons. He now lives in Manotick, a suburb of Ottawa, Ontario.[4]

Career

McCann has released 5 solo works (Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes, Son of a Sailor, Help Your Self, You Know I Love You, and There's a Place).

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.[5] 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.[6]

In November 2017 McCann organized a benefit songwriter's circle at the Algonquin Commons Theatre in Ottawa with his friends Joel Plaskett, Sarah Harmer, and Jeremy Fisher to raise money to purchase guitars for veterans suffering with PTSD and other mental-health issues.[7]

Albums
  • Lullabies for the Bloodshot Eyes (2010)
  • Son of a Sailor (2011)
  • Help Your Self (2014)
  • You Know I Love You (2015)
  • There's a Place (2017)

References
  1. band bio "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 May 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. http://www.seanmccannsings.com/55845215e4b0af723aa5e2af/
  3. The E-Carillon: Arts Archived 15 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Saxberg, Lynn. "Sean McCann: Sober, solo and living in Manotick". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  5. "Fort McMurray Benefit Song". Red Cross Canada fix. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  6. Friend, David (29 June 2016). "Great Big Sea's Sean McCann pens Fort McMurray tribute song". Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  7. "Séan McCann Hosts Fundaising Concert to Supply Guitars for Vets". Ottawa Citizen.
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