Many Good Reasons to Read One Good Reason

Séan McCann, a founding member of Great Big Sea, bravely opened up about the clerical sexual abuse he encountered in his youth and the addictions he employed in attempting to drown the pain and trauma it caused. In 2013, he broke away from the band and pursued a course of truth, using music as his therapy. His new purpose landed on sharing his stories and songs of hope and recovery with those who needed it most.

If asked what keeps him sober, Séan will answer, “My higher power—Andrea.”

Séan’s wife, Andrea, found the strength to give Séan an ultimatum: get sober or she would move on. Séan chose his family. And, as difficult as it was, he pushed forward into a life of sobriety.

Public speaking led to an idea for another way to share his story, which resonated with so many. He and Andrea would write a book. The couple began the arduous task of penning their story from both their points of view, giving a 360-degree perspective of the role addiction plays within a family setting.

One Good Reason, a beautiful hardcover memoir punctuated with song lyrics and artwork, was scheduled to be released in April 2020. When you hold the book in your hands, you realize how much soul went into its production—from the velvet texture of the cover, the interior paper choice, complete with red insert pages at the front and back, the uniquely crafted typesetting, the sometimes haunting song lyrics, and of course, the whimsical yet thoughtful artwork by Bee Stanton. This book is more than a message—it is a work of art in and of itself.

A very important and powerful read full of hope and love and music.

- Sheldon Kennedy, former NHL hockey player

But a book is not just a cover. It is content. It is substance. Creating a dual-perspective by alternating viewpoints between Séan and Andrea is not only unique, it is brilliant. I have to warn you, though. If you are looking for a slickly crafted manufactured message, this book isn’t for you. This is a raw, honest account of personal truth, two personal truths, actually. It is one of the most compelling reads I have had in a long while. It is both a beautiful and important book, and it was going to be Séan’s focus for the next two years.

I read this book in one sitting. Getting two perspectives on the trauma of abuse, the challenges of addiction, and the journey of recovery is both riveting and valuable. This story is harrowing and honest with touches of humour, but ultimately, it’s hopeful.

- Joe Plaskett, songwriter

They had partnered with the bookstore chain Indigo to do a national tour from St. John’s to Vancouver, offering in-store events in almost every province. Séan would speak, sing, answer questions, and do signings in most urban centres. It took a lot of planning and work to coordinate this tour.

In addition, media appearances were confirmed with large networks, and national TV shows were booked. Sharing his story was something Séan was passionate and excited about doing. When rumblings of COVID-19 began in the beginning of 2020, no one really considered that the country would shut down like it did. Even to the last minute, everyone involved was all talking about the tour. Suddenly, it was all gone, and Séan and Andrea had no backup plan whatsoever.

They assumed this meant the release of the book would now be delayed, possibly to the fall. However, after talking to people in the business, and on the recommendation of the publisher, the book would go forward as planned. The thought was this was the right book for the times. It was a helpful, hopeful message, and people would benefit from it. This title might reach a lot of people regardless of a cancelled tour.

“Okay, let’s put the book out,” Séan said to Andrea. Other than radio interviews, the major media outlets had dried up because of cancelled production due to COVID-19 restrictions. “What should we do?” he asked.

Something would be better than nothing, so they decided to pivot to online. Before livestream concerts were plentiful, the couple used Facebook Live to present a fourteen-day series. Séan chose the number fourteen because, at that time in Ontario, residents were told the quarantine would likely last fourteen days. Initially, Andrea was to produce the show and to watch comments while Séan performed. However, while sitting behind Séan, she was brought into the camera frame when he couldn’t hear her directions and turned around to talk to her. “You’re out now. You might as well be part of the show.”

And part of the show she was. It became known as the SéAndrea Show. Every day at noon, they livestreamed an hour of entertainment and chatter.

Before the series was complete, they added a bonus date. On the fifteenth day, they would culminate the series with an online book launch on their page, followed by an online Indigo launch.

The SéAndrea Show was able to raise awareness about the upcoming book, and pre-orders were robust. A thousand books arrived on a pallet to their Ottawa-area home. Séan and Andrea had also taken orders directly from their own website, offering special personally signed copies. It was a big job, but they signed and shipped out books during a frenzied weekend.

At first the publishing company was going to hold off on the release of the ebook version; however, they, too, had to pivot. Digital editions were published at the same time as the hardcover, allowing people to download the title immediately onto their devices without even stepping out of their homes.

Séan was not in a hurry to create an audio version. He thought he would release it for Christmas. But with the postponed tour, he has more time on his hands. Since he has a home studio, he could start recording right away. He has decided to record exclusive renditions of the songs in the book and add dramatic instrumental music to link chapters together. It certainly will be a very special and unique audiobook.

Although the physical tour was cancelled, quick thinking, ingenuity, and hard work were not, allowing a beautiful book to be released and enjoyed by many, proving that, in the end, even a virus can’t silence a hopeful story.

You can purchase One Good Reason from anywhere books or sold or directly from Séan's website:

Besides being a founding member of Great Big Sea, Séan McCann is a sought-after speaker and performer. And now, he can add author to his list of many accomplishments. His book One Good Reason is available where books are sold. You can follow Séan @seanmccannsings.

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This and other positive stories about Canadian creativity can be found in the book Not Cancelled: Canadian Caremongering in the Face of COVID-19.