MIA students honour award-winning producer Jack Richardson

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: FANSHAWE COLLEGE
Jack Richardson in studio at Fanshawe College.

The annual Share the Man concert is being held once again this year in honour of Juno Award-winning producer Jack Richardson (July 23, 1929 - May 13, 2011), a former Fanshawe professor in the Music Industry Arts department. The concert will feature 15 bands covering the top hits Richardson produced throughout his acclaimed career. Share the Man will take place February 6 at Aeolian Hall (795 Dundas St.); doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is first-come, first-served.

"It's a great way to get involved with the community, especially since Richardson was one of the key players in helping to get the Music Industry Arts program off the ground," said Fanshawe Student Union Vice President of Entertainment Kendra Sauder. Sauder is currently in her second year of the Music Industry Arts program.

Richardson is known by some as "Jack the Bear," the producing powerhouse behind bands such as The Guess Who, Alice Cooper and Bob Seger, to name a few. He was considered one of the heavyweights in the Canadian music scene. Taking a chance, Richardson mortgaged his house in order to take the band The Guess Who to New York to record their album Wheatfield Soul, which would go on to feature their breakout hit "These Eyes." Since 2003, the Juno Awards has given out the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year award, in Richardson's honour. Richardson himself won several Junos throughout his life, including Best Producer and Producer of the Year.

Sauder said it's great that Fanshawe had such an acclaimed and respected musician that brings notoriety to the program.

Tickets are available at the Biz Booth on campus or at Aeolian Hall, or by speaking with a student from the Music Industry Arts program. Tickets are $15 for the public and $10 for Fanshawe students. The event will feature a night of great music and a cash bar. Proceeds from the event will go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

For more information, check out sharetheman.com.