Weight of the World

After 13 days on the Long Road the old adage has never held truer.

We survived.

We successfully built a a solid Folk Festival set.

My Pipes were at their strongest on day 13.

And my head is full of music again.

Worth it.

Thank You all for coming out to see us Commit across America.

s

The Committed are now in full rehearsal mode. Nashville clashes melodically with Newfoundland every morning in my kitchen when the kids are off to school as we prepare to take on the Long Road together. Confidence grows with every note.

We are still just getting to know each other but each session reveals new strengths in both character and ability. I believe we will become a real force to be reckoned with.

The Set evolves from Wild Animal into well oiled Machine …..and back again. It is an Automatic Weapon…..a Horse with a Heart.

Always Fearless.

We are coming to make you laugh and cry and sing and dance.

We are coming to learn and grow.

We are coming to share.

And we are Ready.

s

Contest announcement from Team ‘Committed‘:

We’ve been inspired by fans who have been telling us that they’re bringing friends and family along to some of the upcoming US shows in the northeast (can’t wait to see you!) and we love that you continue to help spread the word about Séan & The Committed and Great Big Sea. The group really DOES have some of the best fans in the world.

To honour your commitment, Séan would like to offer any advance ticket buyers the opportunity to win an extra FREE pair of tickets to their show for two of their friends. Not only will you be able to introduce your guests to the live Séan McCann & The Committed experience, but you will also have a chance to introduce your guests to Séan, who will provide the winner and guests a private bodhran lesson before the show! Just email toshcontest@greatbigsean.com, post on the Facebook tour event page, or tweet @greatbigsean – letting us know which show you’ve committed to and who you’re looking to bring along!

(special appearance by Tosh!)

My personal apologies to any and all who made the effort to come out and see us on George St. and The Folk Festival. The weather is not usually like this in St. John’s……..Sometimes it gets really bad.

It was a particularly hard season on my boys who, I am convinced, have stopped growing due to a lack of sunlight. To stave off despair, I started on the Rum but eventually switched back to Vitamin D. It doesn’t work near as well, but at least I could drive.

Never far enough.

Thank You “Tweethearts” for your continued concerns about my whereabouts (yes, i do still check my mentions). Atop the regrettable reluctance of our Brightest Star to show it’s face, there have been several serious issues (both business and personal) that I have been forced to deal with.

Some even successfully.

In all honesty, I will be well relieved to see The Fall and things finally get back to to “Normal”.

Adversity has always been my Muse and I have been keeping notes. New Songs  now fall faster than the Rain .

Fog Lifts.

I am very ready to return to this world of music we all share and am well pleased by the progress of my “Committed”. Ottawa will be another good test. Thirteen shows in a row next month will be “Trial by Fire” and I could really use a little more Heat.

While I am still waiting to Open up my body to the warming of the Sun, I do believe that everything will Be alright in the end.

See You Out There

s

Video footage of Séan McCann & The Committed at The Sonic Temple (Halifax, NS). Captured by CMT on April 7th, 2011, the live special aired July 16th, 2011.

This Life

Is an Ocean of Tears

With every Smile

We shed a Fear

This Life

Is a Mountain of Love

Let every Heart

Rise Above

There is an energy in the mountains that always leaves me feeling both drained and refreshed. One forgets that these stone giants are alive and in perpetual motion. The spine that binds our world . As old as creation. Driving over them for a week can leave the best of sailor’s feeling a little seasick. I can still hear the whispers of thinner winds and wonder what they mean. I am left with a mile high hangover and a head full of songs.

I finally did get to watch the CMT special online and was well pleased with the New Band and the beautiful Meaghan Smith.

“The Committed” are well named.

I very much look forward to sharing some Life with them soon.

and with you…

s

I just checked my Twitter for the first time in weeks and I  want to reassure everyone that I am fine. I have been out hunting…….for Lines……..and Hooks.

Hauling in the fruit of my Nets and wringing the Life out their Truths.

The tour did what it was supposed to do. The Fire burns again and everything I learned is now something I want to sing about.

My children remember they have a father and smother me with Pure Love…..more oxygen to feed the flame.

Words are struck with pencil hammers and couplets are forged in the melting heat of Melody.

Something from Nothing comes.

I will be back soon. Recharged. Ready.

Until then please remember :

When there is a Song in your head, You are Never Alone.

Much Luv

s

This is The End.

My only Friend………The End.

For the first time in eleven days I find myself doing nothing to self-promote.

The Tour is over……..Let The Tour be Damned.

And I am Flying.

Home.

First and foremost I want to thank You All for coming out to see me.

I would also like to send Love and Thanx to my new best friends Johnny (the bruce) Affleck and Jeremy Fisher whose constant efforts always reassured and ultimately….i Hope….focused me into a better human being.

And my Beautiful Wife and Children whose patience allowed for this arguably unnecessary dallience (it was far more of an adventure than i deserved) and whose Love sustains me.

If tomorrow “ever” comes i will have walked 44 years on this earth…..almost half of them with Great Big Sea.

My Band…..My Brothers….My Life.

If “The Rapture” does come today (@6pm EST) and this airplane lands on time…..I will be holding the woman I love and the two beautiful boys We have made….

And I will die a very happy man.

s

This morning was hard.

Had to say goodbye to my boys after only 2 days home and it did not go well…..for any of us.

For the first time since this tour began my resolve was shaken. I could not remember why I was doing all of this. Why be away from my family one second more than I absolutely have to? I love playing the shows, but one tear from my little boy’s face quickly put that thrill into sober perspective. Spring has returned and growing sons require their fathers like seeds reach for rain. But I am like the Wind off the water…..here and gone again.

“We know that you are doing this for us daddy”, said Keegan the eldest. “Don’t give up.”

“We love u dad”, added Finnegan disguised as the superhero Thor.

and my heart blew apart in my chest.

Oh yeah….that’s  why.

see you out there

s