I was given a heads up at the start of April about a new book coming out today (April 14th): One Good Reason: A Memoir of Addiction and Recovery, Music and Love by Séan McCann and Andrea Aragon. It’s published by Nimbus Publishing, a group based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
If you were wondering who Séan McCann is – well, he’s a founding member of the great Canadian folk group Great Big Sea (along with Alan Doyle). In recent years, McCann has had his own successful solo career as well.
Séan & Andrea will be hosting an official Facebook Live book launch event for ONE GOOD REASON @ 6pm ET on Tuesday April 14 on Séan’s Facebook page, which is facebook.com/GreatBigSean
They will also be partnering with Chapters Indigo for the official Instagram Live book launch event @ 7pm ET (4pm PT) hosted by @indigo
I’m currently reading the book and plan on leaving a full review when I finish (hopefully soon, but I am pretty slow with reading!).
Here’s some press release info as well as a synopsis of the book!
Séan McCann (https://seanmccannsings.com/) is a founding member and principal singer-songwriter of iconic multi-million selling band Great Big Sea. Raised in the heavy drinking culture of the country’s unofficial party capital — St. John’s, Newfoundland — Séan spent thirty years hiding in plain sight on stage, suppressing the pain of childhood trauma with alcohol and drugs. In December 2019, Séan was awarded the Order of Canada for his mental health and addictions advocacy work.
In One Good Reason, he is joined by his wife, Andrea Aragon, as he pulls the curtain back and offers readers a powerful and deeply personal story of childhood trauma, reaching international fame, and finding rock bottom, extending a lifeline of hope to anyone who has suffered in secret, who has struggled with addiction and self-harm, or who has yet to realize that they are not alone.
The story of how love saved their marriage and music saved his life, One Good Reason features lyrics from Séan’s celebrated solo career, unseen personal photographs, and original drawings from visual artist Bee Stanton. No stone is left unturned as Séan and Andrea bring readers deep into the fold of their family and offer a rallying cry for holding on to the ones you love, helping yourself, and turning music into medicine.
The book has been endorsed by luminaries of Canadian music, journalism, and advocacy, including Linden MacIntyre, Joel Plaskett, Sheldon Kennedy, and Clara Hughes.
One Good Reason synopsis:
This deeply personal memoir, co-written by singer-songwriter, renowned mental health advocate, and recent Order of Canada recipient Séan McCann and wife Andrea Aragon leaves no stone unturned.
Detailing in powerful and lyrical prose a Newfoundland childhood indoctrinated in strict Catholic faith, the creation of the wildly successful Great Big Sea, and the battle with alcoholism that nearly cost them everything, McCann and Aragon offer readers a story of reaching international fame and finding rock bottom. Most of all, this book is an honest, raw, and inspiring tribute to embracing the belief that we are all worth saving.
At the heart of this insightful coming-of-recovery is McCann’s exploration of the root cause of his alcoholism; a secret he kept until 2014 when he came out as a survivor of sexual abuse. Aragon’s parallel narrative offers a rare and intimate spousal perspective, making the memoir a nuanced and complex portrait of the effects of addiction on family.
Featuring lyrics from McCann’s celebrated solo career, personal colour photographs, and original drawings from visual artist Bee Stanton, One Good Reason is a rallying cry for holding on to the ones you love, helping yourself, and turning music into medicine.
About the Authors:
SÉAN MCCANN is a renowned mental health, addiction, and recovery advocate. An Order of Canada recipient for his advocacy of those living with mental health and addiction issues, he has spent the past seven years touring the country as a speaker while singing and sharing his story with front line workers, teachers, students, patients, inmates, veterans, and anyone who has been affected by addiction or abuse. After drinking heavily for over 30 years to numb the pain of childhood sexual abuse, and hiding his dark secret in the drinking songs of one of Canada’s most iconic bands, Great Big Sea, today Séan is sober, he is a survivor, and he has found his true voice.
ANDREA ARAGON and Séan McCann found each other in 2002. Andrea, all too familiar with the alcoholism and trauma from her father, had battled depression, eating disorders, a suicide attempt, her own heavy drinking, and a divorce by the time she was just 26 years old. She was broken but resilient, and depending on what you believe was destined to meet Séan.
Together, Séan and Andrea have survived through the stormy waters of addiction with 2 boys, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and an inspirational story for the ages that they hope will help others to help themselves.
Social Links:
Website – https://seanmccannsings.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GreatBigSean
Twitter – https://twitter.com/seanmccannsings
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/seanmccannsings/
Alternative Airwaves 