Canadian roots musician Stephen Fearing debuted the Heartwood Folk Club's spring season at the Nancy Appleby Theatre on Saturday. The Juno winning singer/songwriter played in front of about 100 people to nothing but applause and cheers.
Canadian roots musician Stephen Fearing debuted the Heartwood Folk Club's spring season at the Nancy Appleby Theatre on Saturday.
The Juno winning singer/songwriter played in front of about 100 people to nothing but applause and cheers. Fearing had come to Athabasca to promote his new solo album, Between Hurricanes. He mostly played songs that he'd written himself over the years, but preformed a surprise cover of Gordon Lightfoot's ìEarly Morning Rain î during his encore.
ìHe was a balladeer - a traveler, a song writer and a singer telling his stories, î said audience member Bruce Jackson. ìIt's an ancient craft, but it was a good one. His ability to play music and find the words to go to it instead of writing the songs and then trying to find the music to make it work. You couldn't tell which was which. It was a wonderful show. î
Fearing heard many compliments like this while signing autographs and meeting with the audience members after the show. He'd played the Nancy Appleby Theatre before, but he always looks forward to performing in the venue that's considered ìone of the jewels of the town î by Hearwood Folk Club member Peter Opryskho.
ìI love this venue. There's just something about it, î said Fearing. ìIt's very spacious and having people all the way around you its really neat. I like being stuck out in the middle rather then being far away from the crowd. So, it was really enjoyable. î
The Heartwood Folk Club's next spring show won't be happening for a little over a month when singer/songwriter Laura Smith comes to Athabasca on Feb. 14.
