These days Gord Bamford is always on the go. Last weekend the country singer just touched down on Canadian soil after recording a new album in Nashville.
Barely over the jet lag, he plunged into rehearsals for his Country Christmas Tour, which kicks off at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre on Friday, Nov. 25. The lucky warm-up act is the Notre Dame Elementary School choir, a chorus of 15 Grade 5 students.
This time last year, the father of three toured six schools across small-town Alberta with a special country Christmas concert.
“It was so successful, that this year we’re doing 15,” says Bamford.
After winning several Canadian Country Music Awards, his profile spiked about four-fold, but the Lacombe-based singer/songwriter thanks his family for keeping him grounded.
“It’s a job like any other job and you have to make sure you carry yourself properly and don’t forget where you came from,” he says. “The hard part is maintaining success and that’s the true test of a champion.”
Despite his increasing star-studded profile, he recognizes that 70 per cent of country fans drive one hour to see a concert.
“Because of that we always like to go to them. It’s a real shock when we pull into a small town and people start saying, ‘What’s that guy doing there.’ But that’s what we like to do. We like to connect with the audience. Christmas is a time to get together with family and friends and at this time of year all our shows are smaller.”
Without a hint of self-consciousness, Bamford says that one of his favourite times of the year is Christmas. This year, he’s even building a hockey rink for his children. Traditionally his huge family hosts a big fun hockey game on Christmas day with oldsters versus the younger players.
“I’m on the old team now,” he chuckles.
It’s pretty much this same kind of familial warmth and precision to detail that Bamford is adding to the tour.
“This year we’ve got a Christmas set with different lighting and different props. My wife has been decorating it,” he says.
Bamford has also recorded a Noel-themed CD titled Christmas in Canada. But there’s a catch. Because of a can’t-speak-about-it-now deal he’s poised to sign, the album will only be available for retail in the fall of 2012.
However, country fans attending the Morinville concert will be able to snag an advance copy in person.
For more information visit www.gordbamford.com
Preview
Gord Bamford's Country Christmas Tour
With special guests Notre Dame Elementary School Choir
Friday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Morinville Community Cultural Centre
9502 - 100th Ave.
Tickets: $40/adults; $11.75/children under nine. Call Tix on the Square at 780-420-1757