San McCann, ex-Great Big Sea member, pens song for Fort McMurray

San McCann had just arrived in Alberta when "the Beast" got to Fort McMurray.

The former Great Big Sea singer and guitarist was inBanfffor his "annual writing expedition" and watched the fire coverage on TV.

McCann, who hasfamily in Fort McMurray, said watching the massive wildfire destroy so much of the communityleft him feeling"hopeless."

Whenever the TV was on, wherever I could hear the radio all we heard was fire and all we saw was fire.- SanMcCann

"Whenever the TV was on, wherever I could hear the radio all we heard was fire and all we saw was fire. And then it got scarier and scarier," said McCann.

The east-coast singer songwriter known as "The Shantyman"decided to deal with thosedefeated feelings the only way he knows howwithmusic.

"I did what songwriters do, I sat down,when I saw the outpouring, that's the inspiration," said McCann. "When I saw the reaction and I saw the people on the ground, the overwhelmingly positive response by people who lived far away from Alberta.

"It was inspiring."

So that's what he wrote about.

'We come together as a country'

The songtitledProud (to be a Canadian), was produced by Jeremy Fisher, a well-known musician from Vancouver.

McCann wanted to do his part, so he donated the song to the Red Cross who are offering it as a free download to whoever wants it.

The song opens with "we come together as a country" and McCann says that's the messagehe wants to get across.

"I would be happy if the song can remind us that we are in it together," said McCann.

"That we're not alone and it's together that we overcome the hardest things."

Fire Aid

Wednesday night,McCann's Great Big Sea brethren, Alan Doyle, will take to the stage at Commonwealth Stadium as a part of Fire Aid.

• Fort McMurray Fire Aid concert aims to raise funds and spirits

The Newfoundlander will be co-hosting with dyed-in-the-wool Albertan Corb Lund an apt hosting choice for a benefit concert for Fort McMurray.

The show will feature some of the biggest musical acts in Canada, including Nickelback, Randy Bachman, Ian Tyson, City and Colour and Corb Lund.

Multiple groups, including the Oilers, Eskimos and Northlands all pooled their resources to bring together the event on short notice.

Doors are at 4 p.m. and Dustin Bentall will be opening the show.

Proceeds from the concert go to The United Way of Fort McMurray.