The vocal booth for Stephen Fearing’s 1986, self-titled, debut cassette was a closet under his stairs. Everything stopped when the tenant above flushed the toilet. The lad has certainly come a long way since that 1986 release. What with recording with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Roseanne Cash, Bruce Cockburn . . . and picking up a Juno or two along the way, both as a solo performer and with the trailblazing trio, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Fearing has developed into a songwriter with a serious reputation – a master craftsman, Stephen’s latest recording, The Empathist, grew out of collaboration with Wilco and Uncle Tupelo’s Ken Coomer. It was recently voted Album of the Year by Folk Roots Canada. Stephen brings his highly anticipated talents to the Unitarian Hall, 1310 Bertram St. Kelowna, March 12. To avoid disappointment, get your tickets early as this show is likely to sell out.