Stephen Fearing

Canadian born, Irish bred Stephen Fearing is one of the most literate, stirring and emotionally charged singer/ songwriters on this planet. He recently released his 8th solo CD, "Yellowjacket".

Website: www.stephenfearing.com

Stephen Fearing was the Rogue Folk Club's first - and to date only - house band! From the embers of Expo 86 the city's - indeed the nation's - musical community was desperate for a place to play. What began as a series of showcases of local bands - where Stephen shone like a beacon with his stunning guitar work and powerful vocals - turned into the Rogue Folk Club in May 1987. Stephen is a founding member of the Rogue, and played the first few shows at our original venue - The Savoy in Gastown - introducing us to such artists as James Keelaghan, amongst others.

"A Stephen Fearing show is a rosary of rough gems that seem to be tumbled and carved right before your eyes, and no matter how long the cord, it's always too short." — Pamela Murray Winters, WASHINGTON POST

The consistent quality of work produced over Stephen Fearing's two decades plus career has earned him a West Coast Music Award for Best Folk Music Recording and five Juno Award nominations as a solo artist and a faithful international fan base.

Born in 1963 in Vancouver, he spent most of his boyhood and teenage years in Dublin. There, he picked up the guitar and traces of the Irish and English musical traditions that have informed his music ever since. After a short stint in the U.S. Midwest, he returned to Canada, and is now long-established as a regular and popular fixture on the folk club and festival circuit in North America and the U.K. Successful appearances at the prestigious WOMAD and Reading Festivals in the U.K. confirmed Fearing's ability to engage large audiences with his onstage charm.

Like most contemporary songwriter/performers, Stephen is not bound by any particular musical genre or category and the release of Yellowjacket continues this exploration of various musical forms, as does his continued participation in the highly successful Canadian roots rock super trio, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings. Over the past decade, B&RK have released three highly praised and award-winning albums including a Juno Award for their most recent release "BARK". "It's wonderful to be able to work as a solo artist and to be active in such a powerful ensemble as The Rodeo Kings. These guys are my friends and there is no doubt in my mind that my continuing work with them influences my solo playing very deeply."

With two more Blackie records on the near-horizon plus an ongoing collaboration with Irish singer/songwriter Andy White, Stephen has never been more prolific. In his own words, "Yellowjacket feels like a new beginning."

It's our 20th anniversary this year, and we are very pleased to welcome Stephen back for his first Rogue Folk concert at St. James.