Sakamoto gets coronation medal from Premier herself
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on March 14, 2025.
Herald photo by Al Beeber
Ron Sakamoto displays his King Charles III's Coronation Medal that was recently bestowed on him in Calgary by Premier Danielle Smith.LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com
Ron Sakamoto has earned numerous accolades during his decades in the music business, and one that the 82-year-old promoter and entrepreneur received in February may be among his most treasured.
Sakamoto, who defied doubters by proving he could run a world-class music promotion business based in Lethbridge, was bestowed with a King Charles III Coronation Medal on Feb. 28 by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Calgary.
Sakamoto was among nine given the awards by Smith at the McDougall Centre.
An official placard states the award to Sakamoto is “for service to Albertans, as demonstrated through an exemplary commitment to their community.”
The award is the latest in royal honours for Sakamoto who has always heeded the advice of his father that “it’s not where you’re from that counts, it’s what you do” that matters.
Candidates for the Coronation Medal must “have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada,” states the Government of Canada.
A total of 30,000 medals are being awarded – 4,000 reserved for members of the Canadian Armed Forces – with the initial ceremony taking place on May 6 in 2024, the first anniversary of the coronation of King Charles.
Sakamoto has also been honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, which stated he “remains true to his roots, generously supporting Alberta musicians, students and communities – from the Flood Aid and Fire Aid benefit concerts to free live-streamed shows in nursing facilities across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He also was a recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005, bestowed upon him by then-Lt. Governor Norman Kwong in a ceremony hosted by Bridget Pastoor, who was the MLA for Lethbridge East.
Sakamoto, who has worked with the biggest names in music and owns various companies, including Paradise Canyon Golf Resort, still considers himself a farm boy and he’s made it one of his life missions to show that Lethbridge is a place where dreams can come true.
“All my life I’ve been trying to boost Lethbridge,” said Sakamoto this week.
Among his remarkable achievements was winning the CCMA promoter of the year award for 17 consecutive years starting in 1993 and culminating in 2010 when he was asked if he would step down from being nominated in return for the CCMA naming that award after him.
In 2014, he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame nd in 2019 he won the Brian Chater Pioneer Award for his immeasurable contributions to management in Canada. That same year he received the Alberta Award of Excellence in recognition of service of the greatest distinction and singular excellence on behalf of the residents of Alberta which was presented by the province’s Lieutenant Governor.
In 2022, Sakamoto was inducted into the Alberta Country Music Hall of Fame and in 2023 was given perhaps the biggest honour of his life when he accepted the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at the Juno Awards.
He has also been honoured internationally, twice – in 2001 and 2006 – being named International Promoter of the year by the Country Music Association in Nashville. The International Entertainment Buyers Association also honoured him twice with its Buyer of the Year award, first in 2013 and again in 2018. Back in 2007, he won the Hank Smith Award of Excellence.
Born in Coaldale and raised on the family farm at Medicine Hat, Sakamoto was just 18 when he first ventured into the music business, starting with the Honeycomb-A-Go-Go in the Hat during the 1960s.
Sakamoto then expanded into Lethbridge with the Ron Sakamoto Varsity Club before he created Gold and Gold Productions, promoting shows in arenas and other venues across the country.
During his many years in business, he has promoted concerts by such artists as KISS, Bryan Adams, Johnny Reid, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, The Guess Who, Old Dominion, The Bee Gees, Heart, The Doobie Brothers, Lighthouse, the Washboard Union – whom he manages – and many other iconic acts,
He also runs Sakamoto Agency which has offices in Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Saskatoon and Nashville.
Sakamoto said he has been “pretty fortunate in my lifetime” and he’s proud he’s accomplished so much from his home base in Lethbridge.
“It’s pretty awesome to be recognized, especially me being from from Lethbridge,” said Sakamoto.
“This isn’t just another award. I’m so proud of Canada and what I’ve built in Canada.”
24-23
Congratulations, well deserved award.