Our Story
We all know how powerful music is.
MUSIC HEALS AND UNITES!
Music has always been a catalyst for change. It heals, it unites, and in times of global unrest and cultural fracture, it becomes a vital language of hope.
Peacenik Collective exists to amplify that language.
Peacenik Collective, a band from the West Coast of Canada, has emerged to re-ignite the essential spark of the 1960’s peace movement through reimagined classics, collective original music and their 1st single “Back to Love”.
Rooted in harmony, message, and human connection, their sound carries forward the belief that love, peace, and community are not relics of the past but living forces that still matter deeply today.
Comprised of Canadian musicians Cherelle Jardine, Marc Gladstone, Scott Jackson, Bruce Coughlan, Gord Maxwell, and Greg Stuart, the group first came together organically through a “Songs of Peace” HubCast Media broadcast they were all performing at.
That night, magic occurred. Something undeniable happened. A musical chemistry so immediate and moving it felt like a call to action, one they couldn’t ignore. That call became Peacenik Collective.
Their debut single “Back to Love” set the tone for the project. Songs that reflect who they are, what they share, and what is possible when music leads with love and compassion. Their work champions unity, dignity, and respect for all, using music not as background entertainment, but as a bridge between people.
Peacenik Collective creates immersive, joy-filled live experiences designed to bring communities together. Their performances feel less like concerts and more like gatherings. Spaces where peace, love, songs, friendship, and shared humanity take center stage. They invite audiences to listen, to sing along, to remember what connects us and to dress to express!
At a time when the world feels divided, Peacenik Collective steps forward with intention. Not waiting on the sidelines for change, but choosing to be part of it. Using music as a form of peaceful action. A reminder that love is still the most powerful revolution we have.
Marc Gladstone (Doug & the Slugs, Nick Gilder, Toronto, Abandon Paris, Stone Poets, Prism), has been inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame (Prism); Cherelle Jardine (The Jardines, Stone Poets), is a recipient of the Ethel Tibbits Award and the Richmond Art Award; Scott Jackson (Abandon Paris, Stone Poets), garnered extensive radio play for his solo albums, “My World” and “Distractions”. Cherelle, Marc and Scott received 2 ISSA International awards for Band of the Year and Video of the Year 2025 (Stone Poets); Bruce Coughlan (Bare Facts, The Hightops, Tiller’s Folly), won International Male Vocalist of the Year at the ISSA Awards; Gord Maxwell (One Horse Blue, Ian Tyson, The Gords, Chilliwack), has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (Chilliwack) and the BC Country Music Hall of Fame (One Horse Blue); Greg Stuart has toured with iconic performers including Frank Mills and Bo Diddley.
Please click on their websites below to find out more about Cherelle, Marc, Scott, Bruce, Gord and Greg.
Bruce Coughlan
Vocals, Guitar
Bruce is a career performer. A songwriter, recording artist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, compere, and storyteller par excellence with five decades of experience. Bruce’s songs are a reflection of the many roads he’s travelled over the decades since he first slung a guitar over his shoulder to tackle life as a balladeer. He's written hundreds of songs and performed at thousands of venues, ranging from folk clubs to concert halls and festivals (including a Canada Day performance on Parliament Hill!)
Bruce Coughlan, along with his band, Tiller’s Folly, has been welcomed internationally as a touring artist. His eclectic mix of original, roots-based songs are honest, timeless & authentic. His storytelling is intriguing, matched by his expressive voice and masterful guitar work. www.songsmith.ca
Cherelle Jardine
Vocals, Guitar
Cherelle has been writing and recording since 1995. She’s released 13 cds during her career including four solo albums, two with The Jardines, 2 with HEAD, and five with Stone Poets.
Her beloved Stone Poets is her heart and soul, where she joyfully writes songs of peace, love and human connection. Cherelle performs her solo music, is in Hand over Heart with Marc Gladstone and Earth, Wind and Choir which is a newly formed choir with some of Vancouver's top musicians.
Cherelle Jardine was honoured with 2 prestigious awards; the Ethel Tibbits “Woman of Distinction” Award and The Richmond Art Award (Cultural Leadership). She's toured all over North America and the UK and has worn many hats in the music industry. Cherelle will be releasing a solo album in 2026. www.cherellejardine.ca
Marc Gladstone
Vocals, Keyboards
Marc's career has been illustrious, having played for crowds of over 20,000 fans in Doug and the Slugs , Nick Gilder/Sweeney Todd and Prism. He played with Doug and the Slugs for seven years until the untimely passing of Doug Bennett in 2004. He joined Nick Gilder/Sweeney Todd in 2005.
After joining the Brandon Paris band in 2006, songs from their debut album, “Pocket Full of Holes”, charted on CHR. The band was nominated for Best New Group (CHR) by the Canadian Radio Music Awards, 2007. Brandon Paris morphed into Abandon Paris with new lead singer Scott Jackson. They formed Stone Poets a few years later with Cherelle Jardine.
Marc Gladstone joined Prism in 2010, and his orchestral keyboard work is a perfect match for the Prism sound. Prism was recently inducted into the Canadian “Walk of Fame”. www.marcgladstone.com
Scott Jackson
Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
Scott's solo career has seen the release of two CDs, “My World” and “Distractions”. His musical library garnered extensive radio play across Canada and the USA. Four songs from “Distractions” are still spinning on CBC across Canada. In 2010 he joined Marc Gladstone in the rock/reggae band, Abandon Paris and in 2011, became a founding member of Stone Poets.
Scott Jackson draws from a sphere of influence a little different from the other two members of Stone Poets. His background in English literature, specifically in Elizabethan poetry, provides a somber and moody depth to the lyrics. Like his Stone Poets collaborators, he draws from extensive experience in the songwriting world.
Gord Maxwell
Vocals, Bass
Gord graduated with a Bachelor of Music Performance degree (voice/opera), from the University of Alberta in 1982. In 1987 he moved to Vancouver to help form the reincarnation of the Juno nominated band, One Horse Blue. He penned the first independently released single to go to number one in Canada, ”Hopeless Love” (Savannah Records). and wrote and sang “Baby Don't Cry”, which went to #4 on the Canadian country charts.
Gord Maxwell has been one of the most sought-after studio vocalists in Canada. He's a signature voice on many advertising jingles and sang background vocals on multiple albums including Chad Brownlee, Aaron Prichett, Lisa Brokop, Valdy, and Ian Tyson. He toured and recorded with Ian for 20 years and is now the bass player/vocalist in the Canadian rock band, Chilliwack. Gord collaborates with BCCMA hall of fame, Laurie Thain, writing and recording children’s ESL music for Oxford University Press (NY) and National Geographic (UK) - under Pure Pacific Music for Young Learners.
Greg Stuart
Greg is a long-time professional drummer in Vancouver’s music scene. He’s also an accomplished songwriter, engineer and producer.
Greg Stuart has toured with artists as diverse as Frank Mills & Bo Diddley and has participated in many festivals and theatre productions.
A long-time accomplice in Bruce Coughlan’s musical endeavors, Greg is passionate about the environment and writing music to connect with audiences as well as his fellow musicians.