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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-02-01, Page 11.A� News The Huron Expositor • February 1, 2006 Page 11 Reaching for the stars Glass Tiger guitarist building astronomy observatories near Staffs Jeff Heuchert Growing up, Wayne Parker had two great passions - music and astronomy. By the age of 23 he was playing in a band along with four others, who were on their way to becoming the `80s supergroup Glass Tiger. And while the band took off, becoming stars, Parker., who now lives in Staffa, never stopped look- ing up at the stars. Ever since he was a child, Parker says he's had a fascination with space, which led to his creation of a revolutionary observatory for astronomers. His model would include a roll -off roof and look like an ordinary out- door shed, which contrasts the other common observatory model - a round dome -style shelter. Parker first got the idea from a magazine he read, back in the `60s. "I couldn't figure out why anyone hadn't commercialized it ` yet," he says. The first shed was built in his own backyard about three years ago. The product was called SkyShed. Parker employs very few people. He has an accountant, a builder and a welder for local work. SkySheds kits can be purchased from dealers in most of the United States, the United Kingdom, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. There's also the option of purchas- ing SkyShed plans off of their web- site, and building one yourself. Parker says there are hundreds of SkySheds built around the world, but that number could be higher because he has sold thousands of plans via his website. A SkyShed has much more space in it, compared to the dome -style observatory. In the dome -style, there's room for the telescope and a chair, but with a SkyShed, Parker says people put TVs, radios, even a mini -fridge inside, because they have the room. Parker says there is quite a demand for astronomy equipment across North America, where he guesses about half of the world's two million astronomers live. Throughout the years, Parker has continued to play with Glass Tiger, where he is the bassist. Since the mid `90s the band has continued to play, mostly in small tours throughout the summer, roughly 30 concerts a year. Glass Tiger kicks off a 10 -show tour across western Canada Jan. 20, with stops in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. .. . "It's going to be a awful lot of fun," he says. And a new album is not out of the question either. Parker says "It will happen," and expects a new release from Glass Tiger within the next two years. He says Glass Tiger has been an unbelievable experience, made pos- sible because of the relationships within the members of the band. "I'm very blessed because I've got- ten to travel all around the world and see great places. We're like brothers. We've spent more time together in the last 25 years than anybody else, aside from our spous- es." The spotlight shined brightest on the band in the late `80s, when their debut album set a record as the fastest selling 'debut record in Canadian history. Today, that album has received four platinum records for selling over a million albums in Canada, and gone gold in the United States, having sold over 500,000 copies. The band won five Juno awards, including album of the year in 1986 and Canadian Entertainers of the year in 1989. They also received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1986. Glass Tiger spent the rest of the `80s and early `90s touring and releasing two new albums and a greatest hits compilation. By 1992, the music industry was changing, and Glass Tiger members decided to go their own ways and pursue other ventures, but not break up the band. It was around this time Parker, and his wife Lorelei, chose to move from the Richmond Hill area to a smaller community, and landed in Sebringville, before moving to Above, from left to right: SkyShed welder Pat Welsh, creator Wayne 'Parker with his wife Lorelei, accoun- tant Debbie Elliot and builder Jay Leis outside of of the original Skyshed in Staffa at Parker's residence. ,At left, an inside look at a SkyShed set up during the summer with the. roof rolled off. Staffa. In 2005, the band released a DVD and new "best of" CD that features two new songs. The CD has sold around 10,000 copies to date. Looking back, Parker is very grateful to have been part of the band, and is still astonished by how many fans they still have around the world. As for the astronomy side of things, Parker still has a few new tricks up his sleeve. He has a new project he is work- ing on, one that he says is "revolu- tionary towards observatory prod- ucts." Not yet willing 'to say what it -is, Parker is confident that "Once it is built, we will not be able to make enough to keep up with the orders." Parker hopes to be able to release his new product by late spring at the earliest. With those plans in full swing and a tour up ahead, Parker is keeping busy, but with his two great pas- sions - music and astronomy. "I don't expect much down time in the next while," he says with a smile across his face.