George Jackson
Ruff'N'Tuff'N'Ready
Published February 2007 | Features Archives

Sometimes, writing for a monthly magazine, you get so caught up in the latest story about the new guy making waves that you lose track of the people who just keep bringin' it, day after day. George Jackson is one of them, the many people that keep DJs flush with vinyl, dancers moving with tunes, artists with gigs, all without drawing too much attention to himself. From label manager for Steve "Silk" Hurley's Silk Entertainment to a creative force on his own, the Ruff'N'Tuff Records label head is everywhere. It amazes me how often I see and hear his name pop up - sure, on his own productions ("Call My Name" featuring vocalist Sharon Pass and "Never Gonna Let You Go" featuring Sevynn come to mind), but also on other artists' album credits. He co-wrote the Rashaan Houston/Redsoul hit "It's Alright" (Generate Music) with CeCe Peniston and has irons in the fire in projects from The Diskonauts to production work with CeCe and Xaviera Gold.

"My companies were set up to not just give me a chance to succeed, but to give others a chance to do so as well," he recently told 5 Magazine's King Staxx. "I have good people in my corner helping me out too. Whether it's production, writing, singing, or administrative, I keep a tight knit around me."

After a couple of years of talking with and interviewing some of Chicago's most respected House music artists, I know firsthand that there's not a trace of false modesty there. I've heard more than once about George has hooked up singers with producers, tweaked a track here or there for a favor or offered advice free of charge about life in the trenches in the industry.

George also interviews some of the most dynamic and unique individuals that have contributed to the Chicago House music scene over the years (from Farley to Risqué) on his show "The House Bar" on ChicagoHouseRadio.com, airing every Saturday at 11am and Monday night at 9pm. "Even though the show is only one hour, it's very demanding for me, because I want it to be perfect for my listeners and for myself."

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