Singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing may live in British Columbia and do his interviews from a Halifax phone number, but he’s always felt like Alberta was his real home.
The province looms large, not just its mountain ranges and open prairies, but in the mind of anyone who’s experienced its culture and people.
Fearing’s own relationship with Alberta, and its music culture run deep. Although busy with preparations for his show at the Westlock Cultural Arts Theatre on Jan. 8, he’s always happy to take a moment to reflect on his time touring the prairies.
The musician is a diehard fan of CKUA, calling it the world’s best radio station. He also looks to native Ian Tyson as a strong influence and embodiment of the Albertan spirit.
“He manages to be a poet and be artistic without ever being fey,” Fearing said. “He’s very much a man’s man and there’s something about the way that puts those two things together that’s uniquely Albertan.
“There’s something about the combination of the outdoors and the artistic qualities in Alberta that come together quite sublimely and uniquely, unlike in any other province.”
In his 30-year career, Fearing has recorded dozens of records, both as a solo artist and with his band Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. He’s won Junos, and traveled the world, but it’s that mindset, the idea of the stoic poet, that’s really helped him to develop his performances.
“One of the things you have to convince an audience of very early on is that if they don’t know you that they can trust you,” he explained.
That kind of attitude is especially important when under pressure. As an experienced musician, Fearing has seen everything possible go wrong: broken strings, hecklers, blown-out speakers.
For him, a mix of vulnerability and confidence has always pulled him through a performance and out the other side with a story to tell and deeper connection to the audience and his own music.
“I like being an entertainer. In my early days, I was unsure about whether you could be an entertainer or an artist at the same time,” he said.
“Regardless of where you are, you have to bring the show, and I harken back to the old country performers who would wear those crazy nudie suits… You couldn’t rely on there being anything to help you so you literally wore the show on your back.”
Fearing hits the CATS Theatre stage as part of the Cultural Arts Theatre Series at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Flower Shoppe on Main Street.
