Jake Gold

Updated Sat. Mar. 11 2006 12:32 PM ET

Jake Gold is one of Canada's most successful artist managers and music producers.

He is co-owner of Kindling Music, an independent record label distributed by Warner Music, and of The Management Trust, through which he is best known for his role in establishing and transforming The Tragically Hip into a national icon.

Gold also directs the careers of Gord Downie, Brian Byrne, Sass Jordan, Chris Koster and The Populars, among others.

"A rock and roll road warrior, Jake is both all business and all heart," said Canadian Idol Executive Producer John Brunton.

"He looks for the 'feeling' in a performance. He loves the connection an artist makes with the audience. But watch out if you haven't done your homework."

Gold has been recognized by the annual Canadian Music Industry Awards as Manager of the Year in 1991, 1993 and 1994. He has been a member of the Television and Talent committee since the 2003 Juno Awards in Ottawa-Gatineau.

Additionally, Gold is in demand for his industry expertise and has been either moderator or panelist at Australia's Pacific Music Conference, Pollstar's Concert Industry Consortium, Vancouver's NewMusicWest and both Canadian Music Week and North By Northeast in Toronto.

He has also been a keynote speaker at the Canadian Organization of Campus Activities conference.

Gold's devotion to music and art is matched by a strong focus on charity events and organizations.

He is responsible for producing the War Child concert in Winnipeg, which drew crowds upwards of 100,000 people and raised over $400,000 for War Child Canada.

He continues to donate his time to War Child and other various charities.

Gold grew up in Toronto, where he sang in top 40 bands in his teens. From 1979 to 1981, he lived in Los Angeles, doing lighting design for the Variety Arts Centre.

After receiving a call from a friend, he returned to Toronto to become a tour manager and lighting guy for Hot Tip. That same year, the band reformed as mod-pop group The Purple Hearts and asked Gold to manage it.

"I've been a manager ever since," said Gold.