John Sheard is a Canadian pianist, producer and arranger,[1] who throughout his thirty year career has recorded and performed with many North American artists, and is most recognized for his work on Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe.
Sheard's recording history has led to over 200 records, as both solo and backup, with such artists as Rita MacNeil, Ian & Sylvia Tyson, Dan Hill, Rita Coolidge, Olivia Newton-John, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Celine Dion, Ronnie Milsap, Colm Wilkinson, Tom Paxton, Willie P. Bennett and The Henrys.
Sheard has composed and/or arranged for various artists, including Murray McLauchlan, The Pointer Sisters, The Nylons, Shirley Eikhard, Andrea Martin, Caitlin Hanford and Quartette.
As a producer Sheard has worked with The Guess Who, Dan Hill, The Henrys, Buster Poindexter, Gregg Lawless, Caitlin Hanford, The Good Brothers and more.
Sheard is said to be grateful to Stuart McLean for giving him musical carte blanche on his show which was largely responsible for the creation of Jerusalem and his second CD, Nocturnus.