When he was 15-years-old, S茅an McCann was sexually assaulted by his priest.

McCann, former singer and founding member of Newfoundland folk-rock legends Great Big Sea, hid from his truth behind a wall of alcohol addiction. Now six years sober, McCann is a touring solo artist and mental health advocate.

Presented by and in support of CMHA, McCann will share his story and songs of healing at Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Powerhouse Theatre March 4 and Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Rotary Centre for the Arts March 5.

害羞草研究所淲hen I was 15-years-old, I was sexually assaulted by my priest. I spent the next 35 years drinking heavily to numb my pain and avoid my truth. Twenty 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害羞草研究所檛,害羞草研究所� McCann said. 害羞草研究所淥n Nov. 9, 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.害羞草研究所�

On tour for his fifth solo album, There害羞草研究所檚 A Place, McCann said his songs tell of his hardships and his healing in hopes that it will impact others.

害羞草研究所淚 believe music is medicine, and I credit it with my ability to heal,害羞草研究所� McCann said. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e been successful in my sobriety because I害羞草研究所檓 out there. It害羞草研究所檚 very liberating.害羞草研究所�

McCann害羞草研究所檚 writing changed significantly when he began to share his story, using his music as a medium to convey his message.

害羞草研究所淭hese songs are about things that are hard to say,害羞草研究所� McCann said. 害羞草研究所淭he songs speak for themselves. I害羞草研究所檝e made peace with my past. I害羞草研究所檓 in a happier place and I want to bring people there with me.害羞草研究所�

Stoked to be back in the region following his last Okanagan tour in 2015 with the Vernon Folk-Roots Society, McCann sings from his impressive discography of more than 200 recorded songs in the two-set performance.

There害羞草研究所檚 a Place, the 50-year-old singer/songwriter and Juno-nominee害羞草研究所檚 third record that speaks loudly about his past and recovery, brings together 11 tracks that draw from both the deep message weaved throughout Help Your Self and You Know I Love You and the acclaimed sound of Great Big Sea.

Formed in 1993 by McCann, Alan Doyle, Darrell Power and Bob Hallett, Great Big Sea rose to international acclaim for their maritime Celtic folk rock and sea shanties sound. After nine studio releases, McCann left the band in 2013 to seek a change of pace. Great Big Sea ultimately disbanded, though some former members continued on to pursue solo careers.

But, after two years of sobriety, McCann knew leaving the band was the right thing to do.

害羞草研究所淚 am starting from zero. I害羞草研究所檓 preaching something different now,害羞草研究所� McCann said, laughing that he only misses the money from Great Big Sea. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e never had so much reassuring feedback. I害羞草研究所檝e never had so much fun going to work.害羞草研究所�

Now self-employed and working 10 hours per day, the husband and father of two has never been happier.

害羞草研究所淯ltimately, music is still there for me as a friend. You害羞草研究所檙e never alone with a guitar in your hands. It害羞草研究所檚 a bit of a healthy calling for me. I害羞草研究所檓 very grateful to be doing this,害羞草研究所� McCann said, adding that he害羞草研究所檚 the best version of himself when he害羞草研究所檚 on stage. 害羞草研究所淎t the end of the day, to be able to get on stage and help people with music, that害羞草研究所檚 hugely rewarding. It keeps me grounded. It keeps me sober.害羞草研究所�

Because for McCann, sharing his story and his music is what it害羞草研究所檚 all about.

害羞草研究所淢usic for me is now my religion. To me, there害羞草研究所檚 nothing more powerful than being in a room and sharing music face-to-face,害羞草研究所� McCann said. 害羞草研究所淎 secret can kill you, but I know how a song can save your life and that is what I would like to speak about.害羞草研究所�

McCann shares his story at Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Powerhouse Theatre March 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35, available from or by phone at 250-542-3114. A portion of proceeds support local CMHA operations. Tickets to McCann害羞草研究所檚 March 5 performance in Kelowna are available for $45 through .