Don Gerard
Encyclopedia
Don Gerard is the current mayor
of the city of Champaign, Illinois
. He was previously a facilities manager at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
where he played in a number of seminal local rock bands, including The Farmboys (with Adam Schmitt
), The Bowery Boys (with Leroy Bach
), The Moon Seven Times (with Lynn Canfield, Henry Frayne
, and Brendan Gamble
) on Roadrunner Records
, and Steve Pride and His Blood Kin (with Jay Bennett
).
.
In August 2011 Gerard was named as one of MTV's "Top Five Musicians with Political Cred".
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the city of Champaign, Illinois
Champaign, Illinois
Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located south of Chicago, west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the University of...
. He was previously a facilities manager at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
Early life and work
Don Gerard was born October 31, 1965 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Champaign, IllinoisChampaign, Illinois
Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located south of Chicago, west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the University of...
where he played in a number of seminal local rock bands, including The Farmboys (with Adam Schmitt
Adam Schmitt
Adam Schmitt is a singer/songwriter from Champaign, Illinois. He recorded two albums with Reprise Records in the early 1990s before the label released his contract. Afterwards, he began to record albums in his studio, Mixolydian Studios, working with artists such as Hum and Uncle Tupelo...
), The Bowery Boys (with Leroy Bach
Leroy Bach
LeRoy Bach is an American musician, composer, and music producer. Bach is perhaps best known for his work as a multi-instrumentalist in the band Wilco from 1997 through 2004. He has also worked as a touring and/or studio musician for such notable acts as Liz Phair, Beth Orton, Iron & Wine, Andrew...
), The Moon Seven Times (with Lynn Canfield, Henry Frayne
Henry Frayne
Henry David Frayne is an Irish-American musician.Frayne was the second guitarist of three in the long history of Champaign, Illinois' Ack-Ack, where he met Lynn Canfield, Brendan Gamble, Steve Shields and Joe Strell. He was a founding member of Area and The Moon Seven Times — new wave/ethereal...
, and Brendan Gamble
Brendan Gamble
Brendan Gamble born 1966 is an American singer-songwriter.A native of Urbana, Illinois, Gamble was the formative figure behind, and second drummer of the post-wave group Poster Children...
) on Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
, and Steve Pride and His Blood Kin (with Jay Bennett
Jay Bennett
Jay Walter Bennett was an American guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, engineer, producer, and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Wilco.-Early life and work with Wilco:...
).
Political career
On April 5, 2011 Gerard defeated three-term incumbent Gerald SchweighartGerald Schweighart
Gerald J. Schweighart , is the former Mayor of Champaign, Illinois, as well as the city's Liquor Commissioner. He had held both positions since 1999. Schweighart served for six years on the Champaign City Council before becoming Mayor....
.
In August 2011 Gerard was named as one of MTV's "Top Five Musicians with Political Cred".