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Prince Albert's own Katelyn Lehner will perform the anthem and a concert at the Raiders' home opener on Friday, September 23. (Submitted Photo/Katelyn Lehner)
Lehner Playing Hauser

Back to her roots: Budding country star Lehner to perform at Raiders home opener

Sep 21, 2022 | 12:00 PM

If you’re a longtime fan of the Prince Albert Raiders, you may have heard Katelyn Lehner perform the national anthem for the home opener before. She will look and sound a little different this time around, of course.

Lehner performed the anthem at the Raiders’ home opener for the first time when she was just eight years old. This season, Lehner will be performing during the intermission and after the game, and a lot more than that, for another home opener on Friday.

“To be coming back and doing an actual full band set and playing my original music and doing the postgame,” Lehner said, “and for it to be at home, on the home opener too, it’s going to be a great night.”

Although her career has taken her to a lot of places, Lehner has had her hometown in her corner the entire way. Getting back to her performing roots, in several ways, is going to be exciting for her.

“I feel so fortunate to be from a smaller-ish town in PA,” said Lehner. “I have so many friends and family back home that have been supporting me from day one and I always love seeing familiar faces at shows. And the Raiders have been supporting me throughout my whole career.”

With opening night coming against the Saskatoon Blades, there will be a big crowd of Raider supporters at the Art Hauser that night. As big as it will be, however, don’t expect Lehner to be intimidated after the massive crowds she performed in front of during the summer.

“It was so much fun to have a busier schedule and for bigger crowds to be out,” said Lehner. “I have a tie for my favourite show this summer. It’s either playing the Calgary Stampede, opening for Blue Rodeo, or we got to play the Labour Day Classic halftime show just a couple of weeks ago. Both of those days were incredible, the show was so much fun.”

This was the first summer in two years in which there were no restrictions on crowd capacity, and Lehner took full advantage.

“For such a long time, everyone had been doing the virtual thing,” said Lehner. “It was fun while it lasted, but being in front of a live audience is so much better and everyone just has that opportunity to connect. I think the crowd is going to have a fantastic time.”

Lehner will be performing in the Ches Leach Lounge after the game as well.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP