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Candian roots/folk great Stephen Fearing sells out Showroom

Longevity John makes 2025 come alive with the music of multi award winner Stephen Fearing on Jan. 4

Longevity John makes the first week of 2025 come alive with a sold out performance by Canadian roots/folk great Stephen Fearing at the Showroom on Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m. 

"I wanted to start the new year showing how positive music can be in one's life especially when you experience it live," said Showroom owner Longevity John Falkner. "Stephen lives in Victoria these days and I asked if he was into a concert and he immediately said yes. We picked the first Saturday of 2025 and booked it, and were right that people wanted this because we sold out in 48 hours."

Fearing, who was born in Vancouver in the early 60s, grew up in Dublin, Ireland where his schoolmates included future members of U2. He returned to Canada in 1981, and became somewhat of a musical nomad living in Minneapolis, then in Vancouver, Guelph, Ont., and Halifax, N.S. before settling in Victoria.

Falkner first met Fearing in 1989 three years after he released a cassette only self-titled album in 1986 which led to him being signed to the Canadian record label Aural Tradition.

"Stephen and I met back in early 1989 when he ended up at my little cabin where two songs on Blue Line were written,"said Falkner. "I did a bunch of leather work for him over the years, and presented him as both a solo act, as well as with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings at the Duncan Garage Showroom."

Fearing, who is a founding member of the Canadian roots-rock super group Blackie and the Rodeo Kings alongside Colin Linden and Tom Wilson, has also brought his sound and talents to the 39 Days of July stage which Falkner has made Duncan famous for over the summer months. He has 26 albums to date under his guitar strap including Out to Sea and Blue Line (1991), The Assassin's Apprentice (93), Industrial Lullaby (97), So Many Miles Stephen Fearing Live (2000), That's How I Walk (02), Yellowjacket, (06), The Man Who Married Music (09), Between Hurricanes (2013), Every Soul's A Sailor (17), The Unconquerable Past (19), and his most recent Vejpoesi which he recorded in 2023.

Fearing, who is a two-time Juno Award winner in both band and solo categories, has had a vibrant career with the opportunity to collaborate with great marquee artists including Nick Lowe, Cassandra Wilson, Richard Thompson, Patti Loveless, Bruce Cockburn, Sarah McLachlan, and Margo Timmins. Fearing has become a sought-after touring artist throughout Canada, the UK, and Europe. He has not only cemented his reputation as a roots troubadour, songwriter, storyteller, and master guitarist, he also shares his knowledge and experience with fellow musicians through songwriting workshops.

"The classes dovetail nicely with performing," said Fearing. "My students are from all walks of life, and I enjoy helping to coax them out of their comfort zones to create songs they might not have otherwise found."

2017 was a banner year for Fearing who was awarded the Worldwide Album of the Year by Blues & Roots Radio and was also named Contemporary Singer of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards that same year for his album Every Soul's a Sailor

Attendees who were lucky enough to nab tickets will be treated to music from his latest album as well as gems from the past. Check out stephenfearing.com for more information.

"My hope is to help people to understand just how healing live musical experiences can be, even if you don’t think you need to be healed," said Falkner.



About the Author: Chadd Cawson

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