STEPHEN FEARING - THE EMPATHIST

STEPHEN FEARING - THE EMPATHIST A legendary musical force in the Canadian music world, Stephen is well known for his numerous solo and spirited collaborations, including his membership in the much beloved band, Blackie and Rodeo Kings, Fearing joined me in a remarkable conversation, November 2024, to discuss his newest album and how he came to discover his inspiring ways of approaching songs and creative activities.

“In early 2022,” says Fearing, “as the pandemic's lockdown grip was loosening, I got a phone call from Ken Coomer, who'd heard my version of Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘Early Morning Rain’ and asked if I wanted to record with him. Not recognizing the name, I dug in and discovered that Coomer was in Uncle Tupelo and a founding member of Wilco, playing on their first four albums, and now is a producer/drummer who's worked with everybody from Al Green to Steve Earle to Sheryl Crow to Emmylou Harris, and many more.”

Which is how Fearing came to record THE EMPATHIST at Coomer's studio, Cartoon Moon Recording in Nashville, alongside producer Coomer, doubling on drums; his Blackie and The Rodeo Kings bandmate John Dymond, on bass; and masterful multi-instrumentalist Jim Hoke, on almost everything else. They also wrangled accomplished guest performers Colin Linden, Sue Foley, Dala, and Kelly Prescott. Inspired by such creative colleagues, Fearing recorded stellar versions of songs written at the peak of his storytelling skills.

“Being called a storyteller is one of the best compliments I've ever received,” he says. “I love telling stories, but it wasn’t until I realized that my story is just a small part of ‘The Story’ that I found my true voice as a songwriter. Writing songs means opening to the emotions and experiences of others, as well as my own. That’s what inspired the album title – these songs are my stories, written through the lens of all the truths I’ve seen and felt around me.”