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McCann is known as the Shantyman, because of his talent for singing traditional and shanty-type songs. He plays second from the right on stage, between his fellow band-mates Alan Doyle, and Bob Hallett. He's an energetic performer, dancing jigs on the spot, and bouncing around in so-called competition with Doyle. Rumor has it that he changes his hair style or colour with every new record release. He's been from deep red, to bleach blond, short, long... every style imaginable, he's pulled off with next to no bad feedback.
Born to Anita and Edward McCann the 22nd of May, on the beautiful Gull Island of Newfoundland, he says he learned a bunch of traditional songs from his earliest days. He can't recall ever learning songs like Mari-Mac, because he was so young when he was introduced to them. In highschool, he played, of all things, the clarinet. But he later took up acoustic guitar, and various whistles and flutes. But his instrument of expertise is the Celtic Bodhrán, which is by my experience, a very, very difficult instrument to play.
He's played the mentionned instruments on most of their songs, and sang quite a few himself. He has a great skill in writing and singing sweet love songs, like the beautiful "Widow In the Window", or (although he didn't sing) the incredibly well-written "Time Brings".
His father Edward dabbles in music, but Séan says he truly shines in story-telling. He's also written beautiful, powerful, and melancholy poems, one of which appears as "Fisherman's Lament" on the boys' first record. The song is about the pending fate of Newfoundland's fisherman, due to Government policies.
McCann, same as Doyle, is widely known for his variety of facial expressions. A raised eyebrow can mean many a thing in the emotional repertoire of McCann, but it also implies upon the fact that he's incredibly photogenic no matter what emotion he's wearing. He also has the sweetest eyes one can ever see, and a smile from him is contageous.
Like the other boys, McCann recieved his Bachelor's Degree of Arts in English from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, and takes pride in the fact that this was where he met his future mates Power and Doyle.
McCann is also a great fan of Hockey, even if he constantly says he's not very good at it. But I've seen him skate, and he should be considered for the Leafs! He dreadfully enjoys slapping pucks in Alan's direction, but always makes sure not to harm his fingers. He's been caught saying that he'd quit music before he'd quit hockey! Compromise, Séan! Take both!
Asides Hockey, McCann enjoys cooking. When Doyle was abed due to two slipped disks in his back, McCann took the occasion to make him a lunch fit for a king. He's a sweet lad.
He also enjoys all sorts of outdoorsmanship, including hiking and mountain-biking. Doyle once said he had quite a difficult time following McCann on his morning runs.
Photo from Anne's Great Big Sea Philly Fan Site
I plugged it all in and turned the volume up on bust and Alan blew his own shorts right off. - Séan joking about the End of the World shoot.
