Great Big Sea Artist To Perform, Tell Story in Vernon

A former member of Great Big Sea will be coming to Vernon to perform, and tell his story about abuse, addiction and recovery.

Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon has announced Séan McCann will be at the Powerhouse Theatre March 4.

He will share his music and story in an intimate performance to raise funds and awareness about mental health in the community.

“When I was 15 years old I was sexually assaulted by my priest,” says McCann. “I spent the next 35 years drinking heavily to numb my pain and avoid my truth. 20 of those years were spent singing in the iconic Canadian party band Great Big Sea. I was high functioning and hiding in plain sight and everything was “fine” until one day it just wasn’t. On November 9th 2011 I put down the bottle and finally faced my past. I have been in Recovery ever since and I credit my work in communicating through music as being essential to my continued clarity and overall well-being. A secret can kill you, but I know how a song can save your life and that is what I would like to speak to you about.”