Paul Lomheim says call to the hall ‘humbling’

Paul Lomheim shows off his honorary chair Winter Festival jacket during the Tux and Toques Gala on Saturday. -- Jason Kerr/Daily Herald.

May 13, 2018, was a day to remember for Paul Lomheim and his family.

Lomheim had just wrapped up playing guitar at a show at Elk Ridge Resort when he got a text asking if he could talk.

He said he could, and a call came in telling Lomheim he would be inducted into the Prince Albert Arts Hall of Fame.

Because it was Mother’s Day, Lomheim called his mom.

“That put the icing on the cake for my mom when I said I had been inducted into the hall of fame,” he recalled.

“I was shocked. It’s an incredible honour. I never, ever dreamed of or thought about that.”

Lomheim said it took a long time to sink in, not a day or two, but “quite a while.”

It’s the latest honour this year for Lomheim, this year’s Winter Festival honorary chair and a winner of a 2018 BOB award. The musician and producer has been a big part of the local entertainment scene since moving to the city in 1987.

According to a media release sent about the hall of fame inductees, “Music was a big part of (Lomheim’s) life growing up, as his father was a musician.”

Lomheim has been producing shows for several years, including each of the last 13 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, and Country North shows at the Prince Albert Winter Festival. He’s also produced the Saskatchewan Summer Games and Western Canada Games opening ceremonies, and he co-wrote the song for the Western Canada Summer Games with Sheldon Bergstrom when that event came to Prince Albert.

He first produced Country North in 1988.

HTat acme about because he was at band practice with a friend, who was asked to produce the show that year. His friend turned the offer down but suggested that Lomheim give it a try.

“Since then I’ve produced it 18 different times,” he said.

In the meantime, Lomheim has worked at the Casino for 19 years, booking entertainment and as marketing coordinator. On the side, he has produced large shows at the Art Hauser Centre, such as Tom Cochrane, Johnny Reid and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

While known as a producer, Lomheim also still performs regularly as a musician, whether performing as a solo guitarist for functions or playing in bands.

When he first moved to Prince Albert, Lomheim wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I moved … not realizing that Prince Albert has amazing musicians here, and singers,” he said.

“Moving here blew me away. I think Prince Albert is best in the province for having the most talented entertainers here.”

To be included in that list, and elevated to the Arts Hall of Fame, is “very humbling,” Lomheim continued.

“Being selected for the hall amongst all those other people, I’m very flattered. I don’t play music or produce shows for any awards. There are so many people out there who deserve it, who have done years and years of playing, singing or producing.”

Lomheim praised the city that gave him so much.

“There’s no looking back,” he said.

“Prince Albert has given me so many opportunities. I’ve learned so much as a musician, producer and organizer. It means a lot to me that I was selected to be one of this year’s inductees. It really does.”

The Prince Albert Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Saturday evening on the Rawlinson Centre stage. Tickets are available at the Rawlinson Centre box office.

 

 

 

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