L.A. Beat

It seems like every second song they play on modern country music radio is a Gord Bamford song.
 The Lacombe born and raised country star has had a string of hits over the course of the past three CDs including  “I Would For You,” “Little Guy,” “Stayed Til Two,” “Postcard From Pasadena,” and off his most recent CD “ Day Job”, the title track, “My Daughter’s Father” and “Hank Williams Lonesome.”

 “If every second song they play is mine, that’s great,” said Bamford, surprised to hear that. He will be a highlight of the Canadian Country Weekend in Fort Macleod, Aug. 12-13. He plays at 7:45 p.m., Aug. 13.

“It all starts with a song. I just try to write a song people can relate to,” he said.

 “ I started writing songs about eight years ago. I was fortunate to meet Byron Hill. I always tell people I’ve worked with a great tradesman. I just happened to be his apprentice,” he said adding it is important to be open minded and listen and learn when working with somebody like Hill.

 He is looking forward to being part of the Canadian Country Weekend, which includes a variety of performers including Jaydee Bixby, Ian Tyson, Tim Hus, Terri Clark, George Canyon, One More Girl, lots of Southern Albertan acts and many more.

“George Canyon in playing after me and he’s a friend of mine. And Ian Tyson is playing. I’ve been a fan of his for years, so it will be great to see him,” he said.
“It’s been a pretty exciting five years to see my career getting to the level I wanted,” he said.

 

 Bamford has had a busy summer playing numerous music festivals all over the country.

“We played Camrose at the Big Valley Jamboree and we were really well received. We were playing in the middle of the afternoon and had like 25,000 fans there. And it’s always great to be outdoors,” he said adidng he is hoping for good weather for Fort Macleod.

 Bamford has also been nominated for a slate of CCMA awards including Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year and Songwriter of the year. He couldn’t choose which one means the most to him.

“It’s always great to win the songwriter of the year award. But Male Vocalist is great too. I won that last year,” he said adding the trouble with winning one of these awards is to keep the momentum going. He won Album of the Year of “Day Job,” “ CMT Video of the Year for Day Job,”  and “Male Vocalist of the year.”

“The toughest thing about winning one of these awards is is to repeat  it. I’d love to win male vocalist again for two years in a row,” he said.
“But we just keep putting out music we think people can relate too. We have a real blue collar approach to things. I have a great band but it’s really laid back,” he said.

Tickets for the Canadian Country Weekend cost $85.

 Line-up Friday Aug. 12
 5:00-5:45 Trevor Panczak & Rough Stock
6:00-6:30 Cold Shot (Medicine Hat Talent Show Winners)
6:45-7:30  Craig Moritz
7:45-8:30 Tim Hus
9:00-10:30 Terri Clark
11:00-Close Jaydee Bixby
 beer garden
4:30-4:45 p.m: Alyssa McQuaid
7:30-7:40 p.m.: Leana Santangelo
8:30-8:50 p.m.: Aaron Sturn & The Whiskey Branding Band
10:30-10:50 p.m.: Smokin’ Pistols



Saturday, Aug. 13
12:00-12:30: Dusty Dee Litchfield
12:40-1:10: Shaela Miller
1:15-1:45: Chet DeFreese and the Chill(High River Talent Contest Winners)
2:00-2:45: Breanne Urban and Southern Flyer (Lethbridge Talent Show Winners
3:00-3:45: Shane Chisolm
4:15-5:30: One More Girl
6:00-7:15: Ian Tyson
7:45-9:15: Gord Bamford
9:45-11:15: George Canyon
11:30-Close: Trevor Panczak & Rough Stock

 Beer garden

 11:30-11:55 a.m.: TBA
1:45-1:55 p.m.: Leana Santangelo
2:45-2:55 p.m: Armond Duck Chief
5:30-5:55 p.m.: Alyssa McQuaid
7:15-7:40 p.m.: Netty Mac
9:25-9:40: Nuggy Dust and the Stuff
11:15-11:25: Smokin Pistols

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