The former mayor was taken aback when he received an honourary membership to the NWT Pipe Band during the Robbie Burns supper on Jan. 25, only the second of its kind ever handed out.

"I was completely flabbergasted," Lovell said. "I just bought my ticket (to the supper) and went to it as I do. I had no idea. I never caught on until he stopped and made the announcement."

"It's not often someone puts something over on me," he added.

Both the plaque confirming his honourary membership and the piece of music given to him at the dinner, titled "Mayor Dave Lovell of Yellowknife," now hang on his wall at work. Lovell, an accountant, works for the Department of Finance for the GNWT.

"I don't play the pipes at all," Lovell said when asked about the award. "I don't play the drum. I might be able to jump around if the beat was strong enough, that's about it."

Asked why he has always been such a fervent fan of the pipe band, Lovell said, "I guess it's part of my heritage. Ever since I was a kid I liked the bag pipes.

"And when I was mayor I supported the pipe band. I'm just a fan. A groupie!" he said with a laugh.