This year’s Allardt Pumpkin Festival (Saturday, Oct. 6) will offer a special entertainment treat. Singer Jaimee Paul delighted crowds on the square in Jamestown following the 2017 Christmas Parade. She and her musician husband, Leif Shires, will perform two sets onstage at Allardt City Hall, the first at 4 p.m. and the second at 6 p.m.
Raised in southern Illinois, she sang in choirs and her style is influenced deeply by gospel music, as well as blues and jazz. After high school Jaimee headed to Nashville to attend the “Harvard of Music Business,” Belmont University, and quickly found her place as a contemporary artist singing original songs as well as songs deeply rooted in the American Songbook.
After college, she worked at various record labels handling marketing and radio promotion. Her passion, however, was singing and she moved quickly into a first-call studio session singer as well a background vocalist for such artists as country superstar Wynonna, The Judds, and Kelly Clarkson. Industry giants such as Bill Gaither, David Foster and Michael Omartian recognized her world class talent, and it wasn’t long until she took the stage as her own. Jaimee signed a record deal with Green Hill Music after southern gospel legend Bill Gaither heard her sing and recommended the deal. Her debut record, “At Last” reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz charts. She has recorded over 10 albums for Green Hill and many have placed in the Top 10 including “Bonded,” a tribute record to the 50 years of the James Bond film series.
In 2013, Jaimee recorded a devotional hymns album, “Hear My Prayer” which garnered a Dove Award nomination for Best Inspirational Album. Her Christmas record “Christmas Time Is Here” received over one million streams. She is also a songwriter and has written many beautiful, original songs expressing a vast array of emotions.
Often appearing with Jaimee on stage is her husband, best friend and trumpet player, Leif Shires. He is the brass leader and arranger for Kelly Clarkson and has performed with artists such as Jack White, Wanda Jackson, Barry Gibb, TG Sheppard, as well as bands such as The Memphis Horns and the Latin band Salvador.
A highly acclaimed and often nominiated artist, Jaimee has performed throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan with audiences that include prime ministers, congressmen, military leaders, and world ambassadors.
The 27th annual Allardt Pumpkin Festival is delighted to feature Jaimee Paul in concert.
