May 09, 2012

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B IG N OR TH F REE P RESS ~ M AY 2012

BIG NORTH B1

Big North

B Section

FREE PRESS

New album keeps Bamford busy TERESA MALLAM arts@pgfreepress.com

His career just keeps getting Better. Country singer-songwriter Gord Bamford talked with the Free Press recently about his 24-date cross-Canada tour in support of his major label debut (Sony Music Entertainment Canada) with Is It Friday Yet? Right now, Bamford, who hails from Lacombe, Alberta, is on the second leg of the tour which takes him from Winnipeg to Chilliwack. He plays Prince George Playhouse on May 16. This year has meant kicking up his already successful career a few more notches. “It’s definitely been elevated to the next level with this tour, that’s for sure, so that’s been good,” he said. The artist has played both small and large towns starting in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Besides being a hard-working songwriter, live performer and recording artist, Bamford is well known as a philanthropist (he heads up the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation) and a devoted family man. How has having three children changed the way he thinks about life and how he views the world – and how has that affected his songwriting? “Children change your life, children in general really because I’m a big fan of kids but obviously my own (children) have had an influence not just on me as a songwriter but me as a person. “They make you see what’s important and that helps you to accomplish in life and it’s been great. But I also try to make sure with the songs I write and put on records, that I have enough versatility there to reach out to all sorts of different demographics. Make sure the

songs are connecting.” Such as Is It Friday Yet? “Yeah, for sure.” (He laughs.) “That’s a good example.” Although he’s a tad road weary, Bamford says the tour so far has been fun and exhilarating (and also a little painful). “It’s been great. It’s been a long run. It’s a long time on the bus but it’s part of promoting the record. Right across the country, it’s been a very good response... I had a few health issues at the beginning (with) my gall bladder... but I’m well now.” What can local fans expect from the concert? “Well, it’s a lot smaller show than what we played in Prince George before and we’re looking forward to that, just for the fact of the intimacy of the show and spending time with fans. We’re really looking forward to it.” No promises, but Bamford will likely perform most of his hits like Stayed ‘Til Two, Put Some Alcohol On It, Raise the Bar, Cheap Date, Better, Kids, In This Town, Blame it on the Red Dress and Heroes. “We have a great live band and a great flow to the show. We’ve obviously been very fortunate to have lots of hits, so it will be almost a whole night of songs that people have heard and can relate to. It’s a pretty high-energy show.” Joining Bamford on his Canadian Tour will be special guests including 2011 CCMA Group of the Year Hey Romeo, a cool country trio with Stacie Roper on vocals, Rob Shapiro on keyboards and Darren Gusnowsky on guitar. The group is releasing their third studio album in June. Gord Bamford plays the Prince George Playhouse on Wednesday, May 16. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations. For more information about the artist, visit www. gordbamford.com.

Ph o to s ub mitte d

Country singer-songwriter Gord Bamford plays Prince George May 16.

CITY DIRECTORY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ............................ 890 Vancouver Street • 1-250.562-2454 CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE .................................. 1100 Patricia Blvd • 1-250.561-7600 TOURISM PRINCE GEORGE ...................................1300 1st Avenue • 1-250.562-3700 INITIATIVES PRINCE GEORGE ..................... 201-1300 1st Avenue • 1-250.564-0282 SERVICE BC ....................................................................................... • 1-250.565-4488 HELLO BC (TOURISM BC) ............................................................... • 1-800.435-5622

www.pgchamber.bc.ca

www.ticketmaster.ca

www.pgfreepress.com

www.princegeorge.ca

www.tourismpg.com

www.pgairport.ca

www.getawaybc.com

www.gopg.ca

www.afterhours.org

INFO ON BRITISH COLUMBIA

www.pgso.com www.theatrenorthwest.com www.pgtw.bc.ca www.netbistro.com

www.nbctourism.com www.hellobc.com www.bclocalnews.com


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