Community

Our Community Champion: Gary Glass

Gary Glass has been a resident of Kingsville for his whole life, raising two children here. Gary’s father Oscar, was a barber in town many years ago, originally located near what is now Lakeside Animal Hospital. Gary’s talent is unique in many ways. How many of us have the knowledge, experience and expertise to professionally record, edit and produce videos?

Gary takes us back to where his business and volunteer work began six years ago, to a coffee house that was held once a month in Leamington, led by Neil Quiring and Dale Butler. It started at the Arts Centre and later moved to the Bank Theatre. Neil and Gary decided to videotape the coffee house meetings and publish them on Cogeco TV. And so it began!

Quantum Sound Productions was established, equipment was purchased, and Gary took over the business which is now a television studio. It’s been located on Prince Albert Street for over 25 years and celebrates the Windsor/Essex community and artists through a number of productions.

Jan Hall, who comes to us from Folk Roots Radio, hosts The Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions from Gary’s television studio. These intimate performances and interviews celebrate musicians from England, British Columbia and the East Coast, including Crissi Cochrane and Mike Hargreaves.

Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions with Gary, Dale Butler, Crissi Cochrane, Mike Hargreaves,
Jan Hall, Stu Campbell, John Moran and Neil Quiring

It doesn’t stop there. In partnership, Gary and Brian Sweet (with the Essex Literary Council for years) produce Scribes and Songsters which features talented poets, publishers and musical artists of Windsor and Essex County. With host Veronique Mandal, they’ve created well over 100 shows which are posted on the show’s YouTube channel.

Scribes and Songsters with Veronique Mandal and Brian Sweet

Gary has developed a documentary on behalf of Hogs for Hospice, an annual three-day event that raises money to support hospice and health care in Leamington and the surrounding communities. He also created promotions for them to use at trade shows.

You might also recall five-minute spots celebrating our town which appeared on MyKingsville.ca for some time. Again, Gary’s contribution and helpful for our tourism industry.

In 2009, Gary was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through a lottery and writing selection process, carried out by Coca-Cola and the Royal Bank of Canada. He had suffered a heart attack and was compelled to take part in the relay. Gary proudly carried the torch from the Four Corners to Pulford Street, with supporters cheering him along the way.

Olympic Torch Relay 2009

Did you enjoy the production of PJs and Pancakes in celebration of the Migration Festival last year? Gary volunteered his time to record this five-part series in his studio. Readings were done by local residents, including Dennis Rogers of Green Heart Kitchen who also donated pancake kits.

Others that lent their reading talents were Kristyn Wright (from Zehrs), Heather Harris Brown (educator and co-owner of The Main Grill and Ale House), Jennifer Clifford (social worker), as well as Lauren and Morgan DeYong (students).

Most recently, many of us enjoyed The 12 Days of Christmas created for The Bank Theatre in Leamington. A total of 13 videos were released one day at a time, bringing smiles to the faces of many of us in the Kingsville and Leamington areas with new and traditional sounds of the season.

Richard Baker and Mary Newland in Christmas video

The Fontaines in Christmas video

Crissi Cochrane and Soul Brother Mike in Christmas video

Gary also released a series of videos featuring our very own Bob Lynch who brilliantly played the role of Father Christmas, bringing the excitement and joy of a visit from Santa into our homes.

 Bob Lynch as Father Christmas

Our community champion is currently working with local artists Jody Raffoul and Jen Knight on a topical musical video. He will soon be branching out to start a podcast to highlight events and local residents.

Gary Glass’s contributions to our community have been possible because of his volunteerism, his vision, love of Kingsville, talent and expertise. His productions can be found on the Quantum Sound Productions website, the Scribes and Songsters Facebook page, and their YouTube channel, or through our local TV Windsor/Leamington community channels 11 and 700.

Photos provided by Gary Glass

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Is there someone you think should be considered as a community champion? We want to know! Send an email to Lynn at lynn@lynnmclaughlin.com

 

 

One Comment

  1. Great article Lynn. I played French Horn beside Gary in Mr. Buchannon’s music class! So nice to see local talent and musicians.

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