Country Music Fans Treated to Electrifying Performances

Country Music Fans Treated to Electrifying Performances

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Country music fans were treated to electrifying performances by both headliner Gord Bamford and Travis Dolter who opened Friday night’s concert at the Wally Fedun Arena in Vegreville.

Travis Hicks said he always enjoys coming back to his hometown to attend the Vegreville Fair and was “so pumped” that Bamford was going to be performing in concert. Hicks said he especially loves Bamford’s older songs and has been a fan since he was young.

Hicks summed up his comments by saying that, “He, (Bamford) is everything that’s right in country music.”

Another country music fan who was beside himself with excitement was David Rubuliak from Fort Saskatchewan who was the highest bidder in the first of two auctions held for a personally autographed Gord Bamford guitar.

Although Rubuliak isn’t a musician, he said he’s “always been into his music” and started bidding on the guitar to keep the bidding going, but never intending to purchase it. He was thrilled, however, to be the top bidder and said he will find a spot to display his special treasure.

Gord Bamford.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Melissa Loades of Mannville was delighted to be at the concert along with her niece from Fort McMurray. They were happy to receive Travis Dolter’s autograph and glad to be able to hear Bamford perform as well.

Vegreville resident Gail Huijsink caught the sailor’s cap that Dolter threw out in the crowd and was equally excited to have it autographed by the up-and-coming country music sensation.

Dolter had never done an arena show, let alone opened for one of Canada’s most popular country music stars. Dolter said the experience was one of his biggest moments and credits Don Harfield for pushing to have him open for Bamford.

Admittedly, Dolter said it was the first show he’d ever been nervous, but it didn’t show as fans embraced his enthusiasm, energy and talent on the big stage. They enjoy Dolter’s original songs ‘Hell If I Know and Lake Day.’ He also sang a number in Ukrainian and did a bang-up job with ‘The Auctioneer’s Song.’

Dolter recently graduated with a Kinesiology degree from Augustana University and will soon be beginning his studies at Ambrose University in Calgary. Dolter said he earned a soccer scholarship and will be earning a degree in education during his time there.

Travis Dolter and his band opened for Gord Bamford.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

‘Every Song…A Story’ is his slogan and the talented singer-songwriter has earned many accolades as well as placing in the top three in the 2018 Global Country Star Search and winning NACMAI International Male Vocalist.

Growing up on a farm near Hay Lakes and performing in his family’s dance band provided a wonderful foundation on which to build his talents and with his positive attitude and dedication to his craft will continue to propel him on his musical journey to what appears to be much greater success in the future.

Dolter couldn’t say enough about Bamford and the opportunity to open for him. Bamford loves small towns and is always giving back to communities through various philanthropic endeavours. The grassroots are where he likes to stay and perform.

Gord’s wife Kendra was selling merchandise with their two daughters Paisley and Memphis and said he’s a small-town boy who loves to give back to community-based organizations and benefit the lives of people in those communities.

“He loves grassroots,” added Kendra. Judging by the enthusiastic response by hundreds of fans, right back at you.