(Submitted Photo/Ashley Champagne/Strut Entertainment)

By Derek Craddock

KICK COVID

LISTEN: Gord Bamford can’t wait to come to Birch Hills

Nov 24, 2021 | 4:00 PM

An award-winning country music star will bring his high-octane show to fans at the Birch Hills Civic Centre next month.

Gord Bamford will make a stop in the town on Dec. 11 as part of his “Kick COVID in the A**” tour. The tour starts on Dec. 10 and will hit smaller communities in Alberta with one more Saskatchewan show April 9 in Unity.

For Bamford, performing in smaller venues is something he grew up doing.

“I kinda want to go back to grassroots where it started for me and help these communities rebuild and raise money for their organizations and give them an opportunity to have an act like us come down and build a partnership with them,” he told paNOW.

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Bamford grew up in Lacombe, Alta. after moving from his birth home in Australia at the age of five.

With COVID-19 putting a stall on live performances the past year and a half, Bamford said he’s excited to just get back on the road and put on a big show for fans.

Bamford has performed in a variety of stadiums and arenas and in front of thousands of fans. He said what he likes the most about performing in smaller venues is the people.

“They’re just so down-home and real, it’s just really comfortable for me, it’s where I grew up and what I like doing the most. I think it’s great interacting with the crowds and the fans that way.”

The performance will feature many of Bamford’s hits from many of his studio albums along with some newer tracks from his recent release, “Diamonds in A Whiskey Glass.”

Fellow country artist Duane Steele will also be performing at the show.

Bamford also took time to talk about his charity the Gord Bamford Foundation which has been in place since 2008.

“Just over $4.5 million now raised. It’s been an incredible venture I’ve been able to be a part of, I have incredible people working with us in it. I never dreamed of it being that large and to give back to so many great organizations. It’s probably been the highlight of my career to date.”

The foundation provides funds for many small-town facilities along with Children’s Hospitals, the Make a Wish Foundation and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Tickets for the “Kick COVID in the A**” show in Birch Hills are now available online and event organizers are requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or negative test to attend.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock