Artist Biography
MUSICAL RECORDINGS & DEVELOPMENT
As a pre-teen, her first recording session came in 1978 when she recorded the original version of "Jukebox Lady" for acclaimed Aboriginal Playwright, Composer, Author, Tomson Highway.
A few years later, Loma put together her first band and quickly became a popular face in the club and music festival circuits across Canada. In 1990 she secured a top spot in the Bud Canada National Talent Competition Finals and soon released her first album, "Loma Lyns - Red Handed." Why not simply call it Loma Lynn? "Well, people were starting to call me the Loretta Lynn of Canada. For one thing, the music I recorded was not that traditional country and I wanted my own identity to be remembered. Then due to a few bizarre phone calls, it was necessary that I protect the privacy in my own home, so I chose to drop an 'n' from my middle name and added an 's' and created a new last name, Lyns. Today, to make my life and everything simpler and given the fact that there aren't any other Aboriginal entertainers with my first name, I simply use Loma."
Her first album was recorded in part at Gatlin Brothers Music in Nashville Tennessee and was completed at Metalwork's Studio in Mississauga Ontario in February 1990. Her debut radio single, 'Red Handed' charted and attracted substantial radio airplay in Canada and overseas as did her subsequent radio releases: Countin' on You This Time (charted 16 in Europe), Louisiana Lullaby, and Headed for a Heartbreak. Her fifth single, 'Who's the Stranger' was recorded by Bob Doidge at Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton Ontario and was accompanied with her first music video release added to CMT Canada's regular rotation in May of 1996. Loma also co-wrote the national theme song 'Love Me, I'm Alive' with Chuck Labelle for the Canadian Special Olympics 98 Summer Games which attracted airplay on AC and rock radio.
She has worked with numerous recording artists as co-writer, producer and back-up singer. A few of those artists include: Patricia Conroy, Colin Raye, Lawrence Martin, Jamie Warren, James Owen Bush, Russell de Carle (of Prairie Oyster), Gil Grand, Danny Diaz, Mary Lynn Wren, Gary Gibson and more.
LIVE STAGE PERFORMANCES
Loma has toured extensively across Canada and into the U.S. performing in the top venues and Festivals such as: The Havelock Jamboree, World Junior Olympics '88, Calgary Stampede, Bally's Casino in Reno Nevada, a large variety of top nightclubs, and was a popular favorite performer at The Opryland Convention Center in Nashville Tennessee. The past few years has found Loma performing and hosting numerous Aboriginal events across Canada.
She has shared the stage and performed music with the likes of Colin Raye, Tanya Tucker, Veronique Beliveau, Ricky Van Shelton, Joanne Shennandoah, Carroll Baker, Ronnie Hawkins, Sylvia Tyson, Paulette Carlson (of Highway 101), Michelle Wright, George Strait, Diamond Rio and more.
Loma performs with her live band at various fesitval and events upon request. She anticipates the long awaited completion of her new Contemporary Aboriginal Music CD come winter of 2002. In the meantime, people can catch Loma hosting weekly on APTN, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network..
Loma has appeared on, hosted and performed on a multitude of regional and National radio and television programs in interviews, on a variety of telethons, specials and productions such as: The Tommy Hunter Show (featured Artist and sang back-up vocals for Colin Raye), That Country Feelin' (BBS/CTV), Global Entertainment Desk, CBC, Much Music, CMT Canada and APTN (the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network).
She is a film school graduate and the past four years have also found her creating, developing and writing scripts, screenplays and multi-media projects. In September 1999, Loma's inquisitiveness, sense of humor and creativity found her in yet another role, as the comical yet inquisitive co-host that made Cooking with the Wolfman one of APTN's top rated shows now airing 4 times a week. November of 2000 found Loma as the director, host and one of the writers of another long-time running series on APTN, 'Aboriginal Voices'. The new season has commenced taping in July of 2002 and promises to bring more new and exciting people and events to the forefront. Currently, Loma is also developing a few other television programs geared specifically for APTN audiences with focus on her own TV series sure to delight her fans. Announcements will be made in various news mediums once things are set to enter production.
Loma has developed a made for TV series called Dream Walkers and has exclusive story rights to write the autobiography and screenplay of Norma Jean Croy (Shasta Woman wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 19 years). She was awared a conditional contribution from the BRAVO network to assist her in producing the first music video that will accompany the release of her new musical C.D. for the song she wrote called 'Lake of Tears'.
Featuring 10 mostly self-penned songs, inspired by her Ojibway heritage, this Contemporary Aboriginal album has taken over three years to write. It combines her personal experiences, native rhythms and symbolism infusing traditional influences with modern day contemporary musical appeal. It is anticipated that this CD will be released by the end of 2007. For the Country music fans out there, her previous recordings have been sold-out, however, there are still some copies of her radio releases available on a 5-song compilation C.D. For more information on acquring a copy, just send us an email inquiry.
CONCLUSION
Loma's distinguishable sultry voice is perfectly suited for the blues, torch ballads, raunchy Rock'n Roll, pop, theatrical, traditional and contemporary Aboriginal music. On stage, television and film, her exotic features combined with a vibrant personality and wit continue to captivate growing audiences. She is determined and dedicated to pursue excellence as an entertainer and to making a strong contribution to the enhancement of the Indigenous People of Canada and North America in the entertainment industries. Her path is clear as she heads into the new millenium and a new era of her career.
