11.15.2009

Pick of the Day: Stephen Fearing


Born in Vancouver in 1963, Stephen Fearing grew up in Dublin, but returned to Canada as an 18-year-old and embarked on a career as a folk singer that has seen him release seven solo albums, among them The Assassin's Apprentice (1993), Industrial Lullaby (1997) and Yellowjacket (2006).

In 1996, Fearing teamed with ex-Junkhouse frontman Tom Wilson and blues wizard Colin Linden to form Blackie & the Rodeo Kings. They were a hit at the Regina Folk Festival a few years back, and are still going strong. This year, in fact, they released a compilation album called Swingin' From the Chains of Love that includes a cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues".

Currently touring in support of a greatest hits package titled The Man Who Married Music, Fearing plays the Exchange tonight at 7:30 p.m. Backing him up on the bill, which is presented by Grassroots Regina, is Steve Palmer. To whet your appetite, here's Fearing's video for the song "Home" off Industrial Lullaby. (YouTube)