Band Biography
Alan Doyle (follow him on twitter)
last edited 03/30/2011
Alan Thomas Doyle is the third of four children born to Thomas and Regina Doyle (nee Pittman) of Petty Harbour, on May 17, 1969. At the time of his birth, he joined older sister Kim, and older brother Bernie, and was followed by little sis Michelle in 1975. As a child growing up in Petty Harbour, Alan had two main loves: music and hockey. According to his blog Alan's From the Road the losers of hockey games would get tossed into the water. Let's just hope he wasn't on the losing end too often.
As he grew, so did his love of music. At the tender age of 15, Alan played his first paying gig, sitting in on rhythm guitar for his Uncle Ronnie's band. He got $50, the same as any one else in the band, and it was most likely then that Alan knew just what he wanted to do for a living. At the age of 18, Alan moved from his little harbour town to the bustling city of St. John's. It was there that he attended Memorial University of Newfoundland (M.U.N), It was there that Alan earned a B.A in English-Religious Studies with a minor in Education, and it was also where he met with his fellow partners in crime, Bob Hallett, Sean McCann, and Darrell Power, though the four would not form a band til a few years later.
Before Great Big Sea, Alan was a part of a duo named Staggering Home, with a friend named John Brenton. Alan said that Brenton's 'never say die' attitude matched his own. But the band dissolved, and after Rankin Street did the same, Sean came to Alan, and said that they were doing something new, and that they wanted him to be a part of it! Of course, it was also convenient that Alan owned a van that could carry the band's gear!
In 2003, after more than ten years together, Alan finally proposed to his long time girlfriend, who he wed a year later. Then, in July of 2006, they became proud parents to a son, whom they named Henry Thomas Doyle, and Alan dubbed “The Prince.” No doubt this little fella became the light of his Dad's life.
Anyone who knows Alan knows that he makes no secret of his love of hockey, particularly the Montreal Canadiens, an unpopular choice in his hometown when he was growing up. It was the goalies gear that appealed to Alan, and he still loves to play today, that is when his back isn't giving him trouble!
Singing and songwriting are not his only talents. Did you know he produced several albums? The first was Barry Canning's Last Man Standing, the second was a self-titled CD for his baby sis, Michelle. Next up was Russell Crowe, with whom Alan started in a movie, followed by The Punters, The Irish Descendants, and finally a few tracks for his good buddy, Sean McCann. As aforementioned, he has also acted, appearing as one of Robin Hood's merry men, in the movie of the same name, as Allan A'Dayle. He later acted in an episode of the hit CBC show, “Republic of Doyle” as Wolf Redmond, a thug who worked for Maurice Becker (Gordon Pinsent).
Alan is now working on his solo-project.
As he grew, so did his love of music. At the tender age of 15, Alan played his first paying gig, sitting in on rhythm guitar for his Uncle Ronnie's band. He got $50, the same as any one else in the band, and it was most likely then that Alan knew just what he wanted to do for a living. At the age of 18, Alan moved from his little harbour town to the bustling city of St. John's. It was there that he attended Memorial University of Newfoundland (M.U.N), It was there that Alan earned a B.A in English-Religious Studies with a minor in Education, and it was also where he met with his fellow partners in crime, Bob Hallett, Sean McCann, and Darrell Power, though the four would not form a band til a few years later.
Before Great Big Sea, Alan was a part of a duo named Staggering Home, with a friend named John Brenton. Alan said that Brenton's 'never say die' attitude matched his own. But the band dissolved, and after Rankin Street did the same, Sean came to Alan, and said that they were doing something new, and that they wanted him to be a part of it! Of course, it was also convenient that Alan owned a van that could carry the band's gear!
In 2003, after more than ten years together, Alan finally proposed to his long time girlfriend, who he wed a year later. Then, in July of 2006, they became proud parents to a son, whom they named Henry Thomas Doyle, and Alan dubbed “The Prince.” No doubt this little fella became the light of his Dad's life.
Anyone who knows Alan knows that he makes no secret of his love of hockey, particularly the Montreal Canadiens, an unpopular choice in his hometown when he was growing up. It was the goalies gear that appealed to Alan, and he still loves to play today, that is when his back isn't giving him trouble!
Singing and songwriting are not his only talents. Did you know he produced several albums? The first was Barry Canning's Last Man Standing, the second was a self-titled CD for his baby sis, Michelle. Next up was Russell Crowe, with whom Alan started in a movie, followed by The Punters, The Irish Descendants, and finally a few tracks for his good buddy, Sean McCann. As aforementioned, he has also acted, appearing as one of Robin Hood's merry men, in the movie of the same name, as Allan A'Dayle. He later acted in an episode of the hit CBC show, “Republic of Doyle” as Wolf Redmond, a thug who worked for Maurice Becker (Gordon Pinsent).
Alan is now working on his solo-project.
Sean McCann (follow him on twitter)
last edited 03/30/2011
In the early foggy morning hours on the 22nd of May 1967 a cry sounded through the small coastal town of Carbonear, Newfoundland. Already as an infant he had decided to show off his pipes, but aside from the black long hair and the nicely tuned scream, the little guy seemed normal and the proud parents Anita (maiden name March) and Edward McCann decided to name their firstborn Séan.
The happiness of having a baby was fruitful and 10 months later little Séan was an older brother to newborn Glenn, which the little guy decided to celebrate by starting to bellow sea shantys from his crib. The looser the woman and the bloodier the pirates the shantys told of the happier Sean appeared while he was bawling as loudly as he could.
And as if the bad sailor mouth on the kid hat not rattled his parents enough, Séan took his first steps in form Jig – twirling, spinning and skipping right to his dads liquor cabinet and before the stunned parents had a chance to react the little man emptied his dads finest rum and feel soundly asleep on the kitchen floor – exhausted after his very first kitchen party!
Since the kid seemed to love music so much – his parents decided to give him his very first instrument. A bodhran and Séan loved it. When he stumbled from his small bed the first thing he did was grab the bodhran and he fell asleep with it in his arms every night – his exhausted parents decided the drumming was worth it knowing their little boy was happy and know no longer hurting himself or empting anymore bottles of rum (atleast not what they knew of ;))
7 years later his parents even gathered up enough courage to try for a third kid – and the wee Kevin McCann came along on Sean’s eight year of life.
As Séan grew older he learned to the faul fisherman’s mouth clean long enough to make the teachers see he had a great head on his shoulders. His (now blondhead) insured that most of the teachers bared with him when the occasional sea shanty of his roving ways fought its way into fresh Newfoundland air and a few years later Séan moved to St. John’s to pursuit his Maters in folklore at Memorial University of Newfoundland. This was where where he met his current band mates. Séan chose to leave the university and his Master’s degree unfinished to live a life of music which proved to be a wise choice.
In Great Big Sea Séan finally found his place in life – here his bellowing of foul sea shantys only earned him praise and the name: The shanty-man. He now got to show off the fine talent his early years of banging days and nights on the bodhran had earned him. Futhermore Séan proved to be a great guitarist, good on a tin whistle and handy with a pair of shakers but dangerous around the cymbals!
In on October 11th 2005 McCann and his newly wed wife welcomed their first son Keegan and a few years later on the 24th of may 2008 another son, Finnegan. Séan usually refers very warmly to his two boys as thing one and thing two and when he in 2010 released his first solo project Lullabies for Bloodshot eyes, he once again proved his by beginning and ending the album with a lullaby for each of his sons. The good husband Séan is he did not forget his wife on the album either. Two of the songs are about their relationship (Razor and Rust & Lazy Lover) and Wish – a love song form a man that really loves his wife. Not only does Séan devote every free moment to his wife and boys, but the oldest has proven he is taking after his dad’s mouth. Séan writes a blog on the website he launched just before releasing his first album – and here he once explained how he had offered to start a band with his sons. When asking them what the band should be called the oldest quickly replied: “Big fat daddy and the dirt bellies” – now tell me that is not a McCann in the truest sense of the word??
Séan loves everything from sea shantys, to Coldplay to Bob Marley. The last love shines through in the naming of his two beloved beagles Marley and Tosh. Sean also authors a blog called Tosh (tell no) Tails on Great Big Sea’s websites as his own fury friends Tosh and his doggey endeavors following the band round on the road.
But Séan’s love of different kinds of music also shines through on his newest solo release, Son of a Sailor in 2011, where the Newfoundland styles has gotten a distinctive country sound to it, which suits Séan’s voice very well I might add.
On his own songwriting Séan writes:
“The writing of songs has become a bit of a distraction for me of late. Long nights on the road mated with extended periods of time off have confused my Gemini mind sufficiently to convince it that poetry melting into melody can make sense of my world. As my parents get older and my children grow, I find myself more and more seeking solace in song. It is a safe place I can go to work out problems and wish away unwanted emotions. Over the past year these ten “scenarios” have become my closest companions. Like loyal dogs they walk with me over life’s hills and valleys and help me remember that I am never really alone.Songwriting has become my method of self preservation. It has given me a reason to remain focused in an increasingly distracted world. Life is short and Truth is relative. Whether we be Soldiers or Lovers, Sailors or Sons, in the end we will all be remembered by the stories we leave behind……and I am still trying to tell some good ones.”
Bob Hallett (follow him on twitter)
Murray Foster
last edited 03/30/2011
Well, what can we say about the loveable Murray Foster?
Murray, the fun loving, soft-spoken bassist of the band, was born in Thornhill, Ontario on June 29, 1967. He is the only non East Coaster among his comrades. He possesses a strong baritone voice, and is a whiz on the bass and the stand-up bass, laying down some incredible beats. He has a dry sense of humour, and loves to banter back and forth on stage. The one thing he does have in common with his band mates? A Bachelor of Arts in English, only his was earned at the University of Toronto.
This is not Murray's first time playing in a band. He also played with Moxy Fruvous, who he helped found with his friends Jian Ghomeshi, Mike Ford, and Dave Matheson, while in college. The band, which was started in 1990, enjoyed success for years, before going on hiatus in 2000. He also plays outside of the band in several alt-country and jazz combos, his beloved being 'The Lesters”. He also writes and produces radio and television projects in his spare time, not that he would have any!
Unlike two of his comrades, Murray, having grown up in the Toronto region, is a diehard Maple Leafs fan (poor guy) and is a support of the city's soccer team, Toronto FC, as well as a fan of Liverpool FC.
He lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and as he says “likes Toronto.” We know you do Murray!
Kris McFarlane
last edited 03/30/2011
Kris MacFarlane, better known as Mac Daddy, was born on October 24, 1975, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was raised in Westville, Nova Scotia,a coal town on the northern shore of that province's mainland. He has two brothers, one named Scott, who is a bass player, and one sister. He is, according to wikipedia, the grandson of the late Canadian poet and songwriter Walter Scott MacFarlane
Along with playing the drums, Kris can also play guitar, bodhran, and piano accordion. But that's not the end of his talents. Kris is also a producer. He has worked with many bands, including such notables as Barry Canning, George Canyon, Dave Carroll, Crush, Lennie Gallant, Dave Gunning, Paul Lamb, Shanneyganock, Hawksley Workman, and a host of others. A full list can be found at wikipedia.
Kris, much like Alan, is a lifelong Montreal Canadiens fan. He loves soccer, and according to his bio gbs's official site, he is a goalkeeper for PC United Dock Rovers Soccer Club and he has a crippling addiction to sugar. He has been performing with Great Big Sea since 2003.He is also married, and the father of two sons, and earned his nickname because he already had children when he joined the band which amused the older, then childless members.
He is the joker of the group, often playing jokes on his bandmates, or causing trouble on stage, which can always elicit a roar of laughter. One thing is for certain, as long as you have a guy like Kris MacFarlane in your band, life can never be boring!
Darrell Power (former member)
Darrell is a Gemini by birth, being born in May (that seems to be common in this band!) He is known by the name that Alan gave him, "the Pope of Outer Cove". He has 3 brothers & 2 sisters, and grew up in a musical family. His father sang for a group called "The Quidi Vidi Ceili Band", stirring Darrell's musical interests early.
After high school, he joined a rock & roll band, played in a church choir, and was in a summer theater review called "The Concert Crowd".
Darrell attended M.U.N., graduating with a degree in Arts & Education, where he was to meet his future bandmates in Great Big Sea. He mostly played bass and bones onstage with them, but he can also play mandolin, fiddle, guitar, accordion, and harmonica (and you thought Bob was the multi-instrumentalist!)
Darrell brought several songs of his own to the band's repertoire, most notably "Excursion Around The Bay". After he left, Alan began to sing it--it was just too good a song to drop! He played with them since the beginning in 1993, and then in 2003, after much agonizing, he decided to leave to spend more time with his family. The split was apparently amicable on all sides, and the biography on greatbigsea.com said that Darrell "would be missed". (This writer misses him greatly! He is a charming soul and is possessed of a wonderful deep voice!)
Darrell is now Operation Director of AquaNeuve Solutions, an aquaculture and seafood-industry consultancy firm, although he still performs occasionally. Apparently the music is still in his blood.
Alan Doyle, Sean McCann, & Bob Hallett performed by themselves for a time, and then gradually added in Kris MacFarlane on the drums and Murray Foster on the bass. They seem to have been salubrious choices.
After high school, he joined a rock & roll band, played in a church choir, and was in a summer theater review called "The Concert Crowd".
Darrell attended M.U.N., graduating with a degree in Arts & Education, where he was to meet his future bandmates in Great Big Sea. He mostly played bass and bones onstage with them, but he can also play mandolin, fiddle, guitar, accordion, and harmonica (and you thought Bob was the multi-instrumentalist!)
Darrell brought several songs of his own to the band's repertoire, most notably "Excursion Around The Bay". After he left, Alan began to sing it--it was just too good a song to drop! He played with them since the beginning in 1993, and then in 2003, after much agonizing, he decided to leave to spend more time with his family. The split was apparently amicable on all sides, and the biography on greatbigsea.com said that Darrell "would be missed". (This writer misses him greatly! He is a charming soul and is possessed of a wonderful deep voice!)
Darrell is now Operation Director of AquaNeuve Solutions, an aquaculture and seafood-industry consultancy firm, although he still performs occasionally. Apparently the music is still in his blood.
Alan Doyle, Sean McCann, & Bob Hallett performed by themselves for a time, and then gradually added in Kris MacFarlane on the drums and Murray Foster on the bass. They seem to have been salubrious choices.
