CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR EMBRACES HIS AUSTRALIAN ROOTS
With the release of his seventh global album – and first official Australian release – Australian-born and Canadian-raised Gord Bamford is dominating the international country music scene. His recent long-player Tin Roof debuted at #2 on the Country Albums Chart in Canada and has already spawned two #1 singles. It is no surprise then to find that the same release reaped the songwriter Album of the Year at the revered Canadian Country Music Association Awards in September, making it his 23rd CCMA awards accolade.
Launching Tin Roof in Australia due to a new signing with record giant ABC / Universal, Gord has been returning to his roots joining Aussie favourites The Wolfe Brothers on a national tour. His recent addition to the Gympie Muster bill has also seen him garner a new Oz-centric fan base. While Gord has established his career overseas, this album is the first opportunity he has had to share his songs with audiences in his country of birth. A bonafide superstar within his own right, the reconnection with Australia is something very special for the multi-award winning musician.
Born in Traralgon to Canadian country music singer Marilyn and Australian-based Scot Jock Bamford, Gord and his sister Twila lived in regional Victoria until he was five. His parents separated, largely due to Jock’s alcoholism, and Gord’s mother moved him and his sister back to Canada. They settled in Alberta, and apart from a trip to Australia three years later, almost two decades passed before Gord returned. In fact, there was an 18-year gap where he didn’t have any contact with his father at all.
Brought up by a musician, music was always an important part of Gord’s life. His mother nurtured his talent and over the next two decades he spent time honing his craft. Fast forward to 2016 and Gord is well-reputed for his songwriting nuance. His neo-traditionalist style has seen him release numerous #1 hits. He is one of Canadian’s favourite country stars and with his roots firmly embedded in Australia, it certainly won’t be long before the same is said here.
Four years ago Gord and his dad reached out to each other and since then their relationship has blossomed. In fact, it was only this year during a Canadian tour in February that Jock saw his son perform on stage for the first time. Reestablishing that close relationship has cemented Gord’s connection with Australia and it also means Gord’s children – Canadian by birth – have an opportunity know their Australian heritage.
Upon the dissolution of his family, Jock moved to Queensland to get his life back on track. He joined AA and found God, and completely turned his life around, dedicating it instead to helping people. He became a pastor, formed a foundation called the Ministry Loaves and Fishes Care Service Ltd that is incredibly well-respected in its base of Brisbane. Jock still works in it today and is proud to acknowledged it feeds approximately 2500 adults and 2800 children every week. He has been sober for 35 years and his story in itself is a wonderful one of overcoming demons.
Jock isn’t the only philanthropist in the family, Gord is dedicated to supporting important causes, and his Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation has raised $2.5 million since its inception in 2008 for charities such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and Big Brothers & Big Sisters, to name a few. It is no surprise then to find that in adulthood, Gord and his father have plenty in common and have forged a special connection.
After releasing six albums in Canada, it was finally the right time to bring his music back home to Australia and Tin Roof is the perfect offering. “I am very excited about releasing my music in Australia,” says Gord. “It is something that has been at the top of my to do list for years. This reconnection with Australia through my music is very special to me on many levels and I can assure everyone that I will be coming back to tour often.”
Tin Roof is out now through ABC Music. For more information, please visit www.gordbamford.com
