Gord Bamford Delights Crowd

Gord Bamford Delights Crowd

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Gord Bamford stands as one of the most decorated artists in Canadian country music with an impressive 26 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards, multi JUNO nominations and the only two-time winner of Nashville’s Country Music Association (CMA) Global Country Artist of the Year award.

The singer-songwriter said it was great to be back in Smoky Lake Saturday evening, (April 23) for his show that is part of the Kick COVID in the Ass Tour. Around 800 people packed the arena in the Smoky Lake Agricultural Complex to party with one of Canada’s most celebrated country music stars.

Bamford was happy to have Duane Steele open for him as well as give some exposure to up and coming talent CJ Sargent from Ardrossan. Bamford played many familiar favourites along with his brand new single, I Ain’t Drunk, featuring celebrated country music star Terri Clark.

Bamford touted the digital release of Diamonds In A Whiskey Glass one day prior to the concert. The release, via Anthem Records, features all 11 tracks from his celebrated 2021 album, including his hit single, Heaven on Dirt that has garnered 5.5 million global streams.

Sargent said he fell in love with country music as a kid listening to Gord Bamford and other famous artists on CISN Country. “I’ve been practicing and writing my whole life, I’ve just never had any connections or anything like that. I’ve always wanted to, but never had the right thing line up, until now.”

Sargent met Gord a couple of months ago after an NHL alumni charity game. CJ said he wasn’t supposed to be there, but he knew the guy who owned the venue and was hosting event as well as his brother-in-law who was volunteering at the event.

“Long story short, it was about 9 o’clock at night, and asked my brother-in-law if I could come over for a beer. I showed up there and the first two seconds of me showing up in the door, Gord walks by me. As night went on I ended up walking into the back dressing room and Gord was playing the guitar and I started listening. I wanted to play badly, but didn’t want to ask him because how often do you get a private concert from Gord Bamford for free.

I sat and listened and one of Gord’s buddies suggested I play a song. He asked if I wrote it, and I said yes. He thought it was pretty good so he said play me another one. It went on like that for half an hour 45 minutes, and by the end he asked for my phone number. Now it’s our seventh show together. So, hopefully there’ll be a lot more exciting stuff to come.”

Gord Bamford, left and Duane Steele performing on stage.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Sargent said his first encounter with the country music super star was totally like something you’d see in the movies. “I feel really blessed that Gord’s given me the opportunity. To get to learn from him and people like Duane Steele, who’s incredibly talented. All of Gord’s band members are extremely talented, award winning, and here there’s this small town kid from Ardrossan trying to kick down the country music door.”

Sargent said country music is his way of expressing of everything. “I literally live my life one country song at a time.” He said he’s had a lot of traumatic things happen when he was a kid and country music was like “crazy glue” that helped hold things together. I can’t really describe how much country music has meant in my life, but it’s something I want to do until the day I die.”