My Story

Jack has been in the recording industry for over 25 years. He is the owner and President of Unison Studios and is a huge supporter of the Winnipeg music scene! Jack came from a musical background spending most of his younger years around Rainbow Stage Theatre. Jack plays a number of instruments like piano, guitar and drums and had the benefit of coming from a musical family where his Mother was a Royal Conservatory trained pianist as well as a composer, singer and songwriter. His father, who was a big band leader as well as a great piano player, introduced him to the early Jazz greats as well as supported his musical endeavors. Jack has worked, engineered and produced many different styles of music, styles from the 70's, 80's, 90's to the present, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues and Country. Jack has produced over 50 albums in the past 10 years and has had a number of success specifically, 5 x #1 Singles, over 10 songs in the Top 50 on Nationally Charting stations, numerous songs in the Top 200 as well as being one of the only producers to have 3 artists in the National Aboriginal Top 40 Countdown at one time.

In 2007, Jack formed Contact Artist Management, an artist development and management company that has helped to develop artists such as The Nods, The Details, Bryce Pallister and Rap/Pop artist Sketch Williams who was signed to A&R Worldwide for International management. He also successfully got “up and coming” country artist Jason Kirkness and Jerry Sereda, signed to EMI/MDM Recordings in Spring 2010.

Jack has also served on a number of committees helping to develop new programs for the music industry and artists in Manitoba. He has been an ongoing jury member over the years for Factor, CARAS/Junos, WCMA’s, CCMA’s, APCMA and Manitoba Film and Music as well as his local provincial music Association, Manitoba Music. He has written articles and blogs giving his opinions and insight into the music industry. Jack has also acted as a mentor to numerous artists and aspiring producers. He recently has made the foray into TV production with his newly formed media and production company, The Blasting Pad and has had his first TV series optioned for development in the spring of 2012 as well as 2 other production in development. He has also recently partnered with Low Budget Productions on their TV series “Live At The West End” in conjunction with MTS On Demand.

Current Recording/Management Projects:

Jerry Sereda (Album – Producer/Manager) 4 Top 50 Charting Singles Released to Commercial Country Radio, 2011, 2012. Two songs released as videos to CMT Canada. #1 Single on National Aboriginal Top 4o Countdown, 2nd single added to NA Top 40 Countdown and currently also went to #1 and currently has 2 new songs climbing the NAC at one time. Total of 5 #1 Singles on Aboriginal Top 40 Countdown

2000+ Record Sales

Jason Kirkness (Album – Producer/Manager) 2 Top 50 Charting Singles Released to

Commercial Country Radio, 2011, 2012. New single currently at #87 on Canadian Charts. First single, Run Me Away #26 on Canconadian Country Chart.

3000+ Record Sales

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Don Amero (2 x Single - Produce/Mix)

Singles released to Canadian Radio

Right Where I Want To Be

Grey Skies Blue

Jason Petric (EP – Producer/Manager) Single released to Canadian Country and AC Radio Summer 2011

Ron Loutit (Album - Producer) 2 x #1 Single from Current album – “Where I Come From”, new single at #21

Mackenzie Road (Album – Producer), single released to Canadian Radio April 2012 and added to 31 stations nationally.

Don Amero (Producer – New Singles) Produced 2 new singles for Amero, “Right Where I Want to Be” & “Turn These Grey Skies Blue” both single released to Canadian Country & AC Radio

Past Projects Include:

Effect and Cause (2 x EPs)

The Nods (2 x Album, 1 x EP) Sales to Date 1760 units

Bryce Pallister (Album) Sales to Date 1150+ units

Blue Sky Addicts (Album) Sales to Date 1000+ units

Red Riot (Album)

Ron Loutit (2 x Album) Sales to Date 1942 units, 5 singles #1 on Specialty Country Radio

The Details (EP and Album, New Demos) Sales To Date (album) 2150+ units

Other Achievements:

Big Sugar Live Eliminate Ya (2012) - Live Recording Engineer, Mixes Arbor Live III

Album nominated for JUNO and WCMA

Wide Mouth Mason - Live Recording Engineer, TV Mixes Arbor Live III

Nominated for WCMA Producer of the Year 2007

Nominated for WCMA Manager of the Year 2012

Past Successes:

Bryce Pallister - Ready to Go, 
Signed to Conveyor/Universal Distribution


Signed to MDM Recordings

Signed to Paquin Agencies for Booking

4 singles released to Canadian Country Radio to date.

Video of first single, “Ready to Go” released to CMT in regular rotation

Ron Loutit - Mine to Discover, 
#4 Song on Western Canada Country Chart


2 Album nominations for Country Album of the Year -
Manitoba Aboriginal People's Choice Awards

Album of the Year - Indian Summer Awards, 
4 additional songs in Top 30

4 Singles at Canadian Country Radio. 5 songs at #1 on National Aboriginal Top 40 Countdown.

New single off current album reaches #1 on NA Top 40 Countdown, second single at #21

The Nods - Static Pop, album added to over 200
US College Stations and 21 Canadian College Stations
and a CMJ Top 200 Listing


Various music placements

2 Singles at Canadian Radio

The Details - Draw a Distance Draw a Border,
CMJ Top 200 Listing


Major Network music placements with NBC

1 Single at Canadian Radio

3 Singles Canadian College Radio

RECENT TV PROJECTS:

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The Fantasy Makers - 2017

Final Film Mix

Teaser Mix

Broadcast - Super Channel June 2018

Various Film Festivals

Additional Broadcast Dates - TBA

Refugee 31 Films

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The Last Objectors - 2016

Final Film Mix

Broadcast on CBC and various cable stations.

Refugee 31 Films

The Illegal Eater - 2013/14

Final Episode Mix

Broadcasts on Travel & Escape TV, Esquire TV USA, Zeste Canada, TLC Southeast Asia

Nominated for 2 Canadian Screen Awards

Project featured Host Steven Page from The Barenaked Ladies fame.

Live at the West End – 2012/13

Live Sound Producer, Mixer and Engineer

Currently on MTS on Demand.

Project featured the artists The Lytics, Federal Lights, Sons of York and FLO.

Arbor Live – 2011/12

Live Sound Producer, Series & Audio Mixer, Engineer

Currently on APTN across Canada

Projected featured over 40 bands and artists being recorded live in both Winnipeg and Toronto including Big Sugar and

Wide Mouth Mason as well as episode final mixes, aboriginal translation recording and mixing, network pre mastering.

Series consisted of 13 episodes

PAST FILM PROJECTS:

Horse Thieves – 2005

Feature Film written and directed by Adam Smoluk

Final feature film mix, adr and mastering

Open Window – 2005

Short Film written and directed by Ryan McKenna

Final audio mixing, foley additions, underscore music

MEMBERSHIPS:

SOCAN

MMF

CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION

MANITOBA MUSIC

ASCAP

AMF

CARAS

BMI

SESAC