Jamaican-born Clinton Fearon knew he wanted to be a musician at a young age.
“My music is roots-reggae from the island of Jamaica. I grew up in the hills, up in St. Catherine, surrounded by nature, beauty and hard work,” said Fearon on his website. “Even as a child, I knew I wanted to be a musician and began my career singing in church and at school, and eventually built my own guitar.”
As a teenager he moved to Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, to live with his mother, where he connected with other musicians and formed his first band called The Brothers at age 17.
“I write from my heart. The world is full of inspirations … nature, people, politics, love. I write about them all,” he said. “My music is good for the soul – always with a message of hope and betterment for tomorrow. It’s good for dancing, good for listening and I think it’s good for all.”
In 1969, Fearon was in his yard playing his guitar when Errol Grandison, a member of The Gladiators, a Jamaican roots-reggae band, passed by a heard him playing. At 19, Fearon joined the group and was a member of The Gladiators for 18 years.
Over the years, Fearon has performed with a number of artists and various groups, including the Boogie Brown band, which he founded in 1994. His album Mystic Whisper, which was released in 1997, was No. 1 on Reggae Vibes Radio in Europe.
Fearon is currently touring to promote his latest album This Morning.
He performs in Nanaimo on Friday (April 28). Doors for the concert open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance available at the Queen’s.