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(Supplied/Gord Bamford)
back to the grind

Gord Bamford to hold drive-in concerts for mental health starting Canada Day

Jun 28, 2020 | 12:29 PM

Twenty-six time CCMA winner, Canadian country musician and Lacombe native Gord Bamford is gearing up for a series of drive-in concerts starting on our country’s birthday.

Bamford and his crew will begin at Red Deer’s Westerner Park with two shows on July 1 at 6:30 and 9:30. Attendees must stay in their vehicles. Tickets are $65 for a vehicle of four people, with all proceeds going to the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre.

Fireworks are planned following the second hour-long set.

“To be back on stage is a big relief for everyone, plus it’s our hometown, it’s Canada Day, and all the proceeds go to charity,” says Bamford, who credits Dr. Deena Hinshaw for helping them get to this point.

“It’s our first performance in four months. The uncertainty of not knowing when we’d be able to do it has been tough. I’ve got 25 people that work for me, so to get these people back to work is a big morale boost. We don’t know when we’ll be able to do a traditional show, but we may not work one for the next year or two.”

Bamford noted that the child advocacy centre is very close to his team’s heart.

“This is going to be hugely uplifting for everybody, to take their family out and enjoy a concert in support of a great fundraising initiative,” he says. “We support the advocacy centre through the Gord Bamford Foundation. They help kids who’ve been through trauma to live a normal life.”

To date, the Gord Bamford Foundation has raised approximately $4 million for charity.

Bamford adds that if demand is there, more shows could be added, but the current plan has them playing two shows each in Lethbridge on July 11 and Calgary on July 18.

He assures those interested in attending that all possible health precautions are being taken.

Ticket information is at GordBamford.com.