One Good Reason

Paperback edition of bestselling, powerful memoir co-written by the founder of Great Big Sea and his wife, exploring alcoholism, childhood abuse, and the fight to save their marriage, family, and themselves.

Globe & Mail Bestseller

Quill & Quire Industry Pick, Best Books of 2020

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.

Born on May 22, 1967, in Carbonear, Newfoundland, Séan McCann rose to fame as a founding member of the multi-million-selling folk group Great Big Sea. Today Séan is a renowned mental health, addiction, and recovery advocate who continues to sing and share his story of surviving twenty-five years of alcoholism that once masked a dark secret of childhood abuse at the hands of his trusted family priest. Visit seanmccannsings.com.

Andrea Aragon is the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran and the fiercely loving mother of two growing boys, two indifferent cats, and two bad dogs. She is still married to her second husband, Séan.