Jim Cuddy, philanthropist and Canadian music legend, receives honorary degree

(Photo by Dustin Rabin) - A founding member of the band Blue Rodeo and an acclaimed solo artist, Jim Cuddy has written songs that helped put Canadian popular music on the map. Over a career spanning four decades, his smooth pop vocals and heartfelt lyrics have become a touchstone for a generation of Canadians. At the same time, he also devoted countless hours to community service, creating enduring programs to help those in need - or who show great potential. Today, for his charitable work in support of a variety of causes and for his contributions to Canadian music, Cuddy is being awarded a Doctor of Laws,  honoris causa , from the University of Toronto. Born in Toronto, Cuddy attended high school at North Toronto Collegiate, where he met long-time collaborator, Greg Keelor. In the late 1970s, after graduating from university, they formed a band called the Hi-Fis and released a single that wasn't commercially successful. They moved to New York City and created a new band but weren't able to get a recording contract, so they returned to Toronto.