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Goderich Signal Star, 2017-03-01, Page 9McLoed passionate about periecting sound .quality Clinton resident starts company called MCL Sound and Production providing sound, production and lights for events Melody Falconer -Pounder Editor of the Bayfield Breeze/ Shared with the Postmedia Network One could say that John McLeod of Clinton was born with an ear for sound. Ile remembers that, at seven years of age, he was given his first record, an Elvis Presley album, and he listened to it on a small record player made primarily out of plas- tic. His musical taste would evolve overtime as would his sound equipment. He has a passion for per- fecting sound, which includes crafting his own equipment, and now he hopes to share what he hears with others through MCL Sound and Production. Some may recognize the name "MCL Sound" as McLeod started his own DJ business back in 1995 with good friend Shawn DeJong. They did a myriad of buck and does and weddings. They were the fellows to call for the tunes needed to enhance any celebration. "The first system I built was installed in Tom's Place in Clinton. The first band that utilized it was The Ash- grove. I've also provided sound for such groups as Doug and the Slugs, See Spot. Run, Danko Jones and IROX," he said. McLeod not only has an ear for music, he can play it as well, as the drummer for the band IROX, a group name that area hair band lovers of the '80s and '90s will identify. Classic rock mixed with original compo- sitions was the order of the day. McLeod built the public address system for the band to cut out one of the expenses they would have otherwise had when out performing. The boys in the band, Al Chesney, Richard Swirklis and Rob Fletcher, are now in their fifth decade and reu- nited a couple of years ago to perform a concert for their mutual 50th birthdays, an extravaganza that has since evolved in a comeback for the group and resulted in the launch of McLeod's new business. In addition to DJ services, MCL Sound and Production can provide sound, produc- tion and lights for any event imaginable, corporate, fam- ily celebrations, concerts and festivals. They can run the system or simply provide it. "I want to do big events with multiple stages. I am not afraid of a challenge," said McLeod. In fact, his is one of three business that have placed a bid for the International Plowing Match to be held in Walton, Ont., in September and hopes he will be hired to provide the sound and pro- duction necessary to run the seven stages at the weeklong event. "With the creation of area music festivals, like the Celtic Festival in Goderich, people are dancing in the streets again and one of the reasons I started this busi- ness is because I hated knowing that organizations have to hire people from out- side the area, companies from London or Toronto, to bring in their sound equip- ment when they could get it right here locally," said McLeod. "I of course want to make money, but I want to save these organizations some money, too. With a local company they don't have to pay for travel expenses or accommoda- tions for a crew. We can save them that part of the fee." McLeod has a radius in mind for his sound services - about an hour's drive from Clinton - Sarnia, Goderich, Grand Bend, Lucan, Strat- ford, Palmerston and Kincar- dine for example. "I have always been fasci- nated with sound and have really concentrated in the last few years on perfecting sound quality. It is a pas- sion," he said. And it is a passion evident in the equipment he has purchased and has also built with his own hands. "What is good sound? How do you make it nice and clean? I had to find out for myself," he said. What he has learned is that the gear used can really make a difference in produc- ing a sweet sound. "The amplifier is at the core of good sound. The amplifiers we use are the same ones used during the Super Bowl half-time shows, at the Grammy Awards, at AC/DC and U2 concerts. It is top. gear. l love British sound, 80 per cent of my speaker components come from England," he said. McLeod is not alone in his passion and he has enlisted the help of other sound enthusiasts to work with him, including longtime friend DeJong as well as newly recruited Jacob Crosby. He also has a crew of people to call on when larger events arise, Joe, Rob, AI and Rick to name a few. Yes, the boys in the band can also work as roadies. Although they may be guilty of enjoy- ing their time on stage a bit more than behind it, if their appearance at the Stratford Bluesfest in 2016 is any indi- cation. In fact, IROX is now available to play at both pri- vate and public events with more than 140 classic rock songs prepared, practised and ready to be preformed. So with the rebirth of IROX and the expansion of the DJ services into MCL Sound and Production, McLeod is living the dream and is ready to share it with others in the community. A cancer survi- vor, McLeod hopes once his business is on sound footing to be able to organize a con- cert of local musicians to raise some funds to help toward finding a cure, but for now he looks forward to helping others fulfill their event sound needs. To learn more about MCL Sound and Productions equipment line up and ser- vices, as well as 1ROX appear- ances visit: www.mcl-sound. corn or e-mail McLeod at mcl jmcleod@sympatico.ca. This article originally appeared in the Bayfield Breeze on Feb. 1 and was written by Breeze editor Melody Falconer -Pounder. It is being released to other publications at the request of John McLeod. For further information, please contact McLeod directly at the e-mail listed above. ,MMOEITIYI �X11'="t. Wednesday, March 1, 2017 • Signal Star 9 Photo courtesy of Melody Falconer -Pounder John McLeod, of MCL Sound and Production in Clinton, has always been fascinated with sound and has really concentrated in the last few years on perfecting sound quality. It is a passion evident in the equipment he has purchased and has also built with his own hands. IIIHHIIIIHIIIIIIIII ROYALLEPAGE YEARS IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII SINGS 111, Heartland Realty Brokerage Independently Owned ad Operated CO 1 00 Helping you is what we do. OFFICE 519-524-6789 33 Hamilton St.. Goderich To view all our listings go to www.rlpheartland.ca TM Kathy Werner Bill Dawson** Ritgen* Jongejan' 519.524.6789 (off.) 519.524.3759 (c) 519-525-9287 (c) NEW LISTING 220 Britannia Rd, E, Goderich $350,000 MLS®418540 Jeff Bauer** 519.525.7448 (c) Shana Layne Barnim' Lavis' 519-440-8138(c) 519.525.1650 (c) 23-79681 Bluewater Hwy, Goderlch $109,000 Call Shane MLS7714083 �_ - 51 AC. 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