It has been well over four years since Sean decided to go his own way and leave the successful band Great Big Sea. He moved with his family from Newfoundland to the Canadian mainland in Ontario. The reasons for Sean leaving are well documented in interviews. So is his wish as a founding member (and through legal action) that Great Big Sea not continue on without him.
Over the years Sean has continue to write new music and albums, be involved in charity events for a range of causes and perform concerts in a variety of venues with the support of Great Big Sea fans and new fans made along the way. Sean has expressed on numerous occasions that he is happy with current career arrangements even though he misses the money Great Big Sea made.
Sean has shared his personal story to anyone who will listen including the fee paying public at concerts, members of the public attending charity events, social media followers and the traditional media. To be honest his message was becoming all too familiar about how he over came his demons by focusing on his music and how anyone with mental health and addiction issues are not alone.
I must admit I haven't heard much of Sean McCann's new solo music or read many interviews recently. Initially I respected and supported his choice to go his own way after being in a successful band for over 20 years, but that support has long gone after reading some of the negative comments made in some interviews.
Sean made negative comments about his former lifestyle, the music produced, his fellow band members and the fans. The negative comments aimed at the concert and music paying fans that supported him during his time as a member of a successful and much loved music group included criticism about how they listened to music, their short attention spans (which justified the release of one of his albums) and how they interacted with the music at concerts using their phones. Most recently he made comments about fan's superficial connection to their music.
In the interview 'Singer has Great Big message Music: Séan McCann taking to Okotoks stage April 26' by Tammy Rollie on the 18 April, 2018 published in the westernwheel.com the interview states '.... According to McCann, the music produced by Great Big Sea was superficial. “We didn't really impact people's lives in a meaningful way other than to say forget your troubles and have a drink instead,” he said. “That's not what I'm about anymore. I want to be a brighter flame.”
As a fan and person who has followed this fandom closely I can understand how these comments have upset a lot of fans who love their music. These comments make me wonder how many fans Sean actually met and how much attention he gave them when they spoke to him in person, through their contact writing letters or more recently via social media.
While Sean is entitled to his opinion on the music they produced, it would be insensitive and derogatory to say that their music has not impacted on the fans in a meaningful way. The fact that fans of Great Big Sea are still turning up to his concerts and the songs he sings are still requested are proof their music is meaningful.
How a fan engages with any music by any artist or group is an extremely personal thing with different songs having different meanings to different people at different times in their lives. For many fans the music of Great Big Sea have brought them together and they have connected and become friends. For other fans the music may have no other meaning other than having a good time, forgetting their troubles and having a drink. But there is nothing wrong with that after working hard as long as it doesn't infringement on the enjoyment of others.
Another cause Sean has adopted is the increasing social isolation due to social media. And a worthy cause it is to. It is well documented the use of social media can impact negatively on a person's health and wellbeing by developing psychological disorders including narcissism, aggression, anxiety and depression and physical health issues such as stomach & head aches, sleep problems, obesity and safety issues.
Nowhere is social isolation on social media more evident than in the online world of Great Big Sea fan pages and those of pages of the individual members. Great Big Sea and friends online fan pages contain lots of stories of individuals who have been bullied and isolated by over bearing administrators and other fans over discussions raised on topics such as excessive bootlegging and piracy, photographing at concerts and taking photographs of celebrity's children or just by talking about a celebrity considered off topic by an administrator. Social media sites have also been used to talk about fans behind their backs without giving the person an opportunity to respond.
While there are negative impacts there are many positive ones too. These fan pages are also places where Great Big Sea fans and fans of the individual members of this group who share a similar love of music have met and become real life friends travelling to concerts in different parts of the world. They have met like minded empathetic people who share encouraging comments and resources that have impacted positively on someone else's mood and well being. Social media should be used in moderation with real life interactions and is certainly a worthy cause for raising awareness of.
I continue to wish Sean all the best with his music career, his recovery and his charity work. I have included links to two recent videos I really love and make all the negativity seam trivial. Music will triumph hate and negativity always !
I have copied the article below for those fans interested. No copyright infringement intended.
'Singer has Great Big message Music: Séan McCann taking to Okotoks stage April 26' by Tammy Rollie 18 April, 2018 published in the westernwheel.com.
After decades of performing before screaming fans, an acclaimed singer/songwriter now has more to offer than just great music.
Séan McCann, founding member of the internationally-renowned, multiple-platinum selling folk group Great Big Sea, is all about truth whether it's his own battles with alcoholism and sexual abuse or concerns about anti-social behavior that he says is resulting from social media.
McCann has gone public about his alcoholism that covered up the pain from sexual abuse he experienced as a teenager.
Now as a solo artist and mental health advocate, he has plenty to say.
Foothills residents can hear his message, through song and conversations, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre in Okotoks as part of a three-month North American tour to promote his fifth solo album There's a Place.
“Everything I've written for the last five years has been my message – it's where I really am in my life,” he said. “I've come to peace with my past and I've learned where the future lives. For me it's in small theatres like Okotoks singing together with people because that's what gives my life purpose. I'm compelled to do this kind of work.”
McCann's songs reflect his ongoing journey towards peace, love and contentment while opening up about his past struggles while returning to his traditional roots music.
According to McCann, the music produced by Great Big Sea was superficial.
“We didn't really impact people's lives in a meaningful way other than to say forget your troubles and have a drink instead,” he said. “That's not what I'm about anymore. I want to be a brighter flame.”
McCann said he's also hoping to spread the message that those who are suffering are not alone.
“We've all experienced hardships, we all suffer in our hearts,” he said. “The real test is how we deal with our problems. You have to face them even if it's hard. Alcohol and drugs is just a Band-Aid.”
McCann said truth is important. It has to be faced and everyone deserves a more sincere world.
“When I'm on stage I'm the best version of myself,” he said. “When I'm writing songs you're getting the best of Séan McCann because I'm trying to be real and say what matters. I'm trying to lift people's hurts and stay positive.”
To the 50-year-old, music is his saviour.
“I've dealt with my recovery in a way that keeps me sober,” he said.
McCann said he hopes to see other people follow suit, especially those who are dealing with issues like sexual abuse.
“The fact that sexual abuse still happens and that there's trauma from it and people get away with it and people suffer from it, I don't think we've done enough,” he said. “Sheldon Kennedy, who has done more for that cause, not just talking about it but by building a hospital for children in Calgary for victims of sexual abuse and he's treated over 8,000 in three years. Those are staggering numbers.”
Through his own research, McCann has learned 90 per cent of sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by people who are close to the victims.
“Statistics prove stranger danger is a myth,” he said. “These are things we have to talk about it.”
Another issue close to McCann's heart is one he said many people aren't aware of – isolation caused by social media.
“A typical Friday night now is for someone to come home, pour a glass of wine and go on Facebook,” he said. “That's not a healthy society. Social media has led to social isolation. It's been my mission to fight against that darkness.”
McCann said he'll keep going on stage with his guitar “Old Brown” and sharing his messages.
“I love singing, I love interacting, love being in front of an audience and getting them to sing,” he said. “They are very singable songs littered with messages that are positive.”
Heading to places like Okotoks is just the way to do that, he said.
“I'm finding myself in smaller theaters where I have an honest interaction with people,” he said. “I don't care if I'm ever in a hockey rink again. I want to catch them before they all slip away into the irresistible gaze of Facebook.”
After decades of performing before screaming fans, an acclaimed singer/songwriter now has more to offer than just great music.
Séan McCann, founding member of the internationally-renowned, multiple-platinum selling folk group Great Big Sea, is all about truth whether it's his own battles with alcoholism and sexual abuse or concerns about anti-social behavior that he says is resulting from social media.
McCann has gone public about his alcoholism that covered up the pain from sexual abuse he experienced as a teenager.
Now as a solo artist and mental health advocate, he has plenty to say.
Foothills residents can hear his message, through song and conversations, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre in Okotoks as part of a three-month North American tour to promote his fifth solo album There's a Place.
“Everything I've written for the last five years has been my message – it's where I really am in my life,” he said. “I've come to peace with my past and I've learned where the future lives. For me it's in small theatres like Okotoks singing together with people because that's what gives my life purpose. I'm compelled to do this kind of work.”
McCann's songs reflect his ongoing journey towards peace, love and contentment while opening up about his past struggles while returning to his traditional roots music.
According to McCann, the music produced by Great Big Sea was superficial.
“We didn't really impact people's lives in a meaningful way other than to say forget your troubles and have a drink instead,” he said. “That's not what I'm about anymore. I want to be a brighter flame.”
McCann said he's also hoping to spread the message that those who are suffering are not alone.
“We've all experienced hardships, we all suffer in our hearts,” he said. “The real test is how we deal with our problems. You have to face them even if it's hard. Alcohol and drugs is just a Band-Aid.”
McCann said truth is important. It has to be faced and everyone deserves a more sincere world.
“When I'm on stage I'm the best version of myself,” he said. “When I'm writing songs you're getting the best of Séan McCann because I'm trying to be real and say what matters. I'm trying to lift people's hurts and stay positive.”
To the 50-year-old, music is his saviour.
“I've dealt with my recovery in a way that keeps me sober,” he said.
McCann said he hopes to see other people follow suit, especially those who are dealing with issues like sexual abuse.
“The fact that sexual abuse still happens and that there's trauma from it and people get away with it and people suffer from it, I don't think we've done enough,” he said. “Sheldon Kennedy, who has done more for that cause, not just talking about it but by building a hospital for children in Calgary for victims of sexual abuse and he's treated over 8,000 in three years. Those are staggering numbers.”
Through his own research, McCann has learned 90 per cent of sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by people who are close to the victims.
“Statistics prove stranger danger is a myth,” he said. “These are things we have to talk about it.”
Another issue close to McCann's heart is one he said many people aren't aware of – isolation caused by social media.
“A typical Friday night now is for someone to come home, pour a glass of wine and go on Facebook,” he said. “That's not a healthy society. Social media has led to social isolation. It's been my mission to fight against that darkness.”
McCann said he'll keep going on stage with his guitar “Old Brown” and sharing his messages.
“I love singing, I love interacting, love being in front of an audience and getting them to sing,” he said. “They are very singable songs littered with messages that are positive.”
Heading to places like Okotoks is just the way to do that, he said.
“I'm finding myself in smaller theaters where I have an honest interaction with people,” he said. “I don't care if I'm ever in a hockey rink again. I want to catch them before they all slip away into the irresistible gaze of Facebook.”
