By popular demand, Canadian country music superstar – and Australian ex-pat – Gord Bamford is returning to his country of birth for a whirlwind tour in March 2018 to celebrate the release of a new album. Neon Smoke, Gord’s second Australian release, and his eighth Canadian studio album, has already made a big impact overseas. The first single from the album, Livin’ On Summertime, broke through the Top 10 in the Canadian Country Music Charts and is currently top 20 in Australia and climbing each week.
Livin’ On Summertime was the perfect introduction to Neon Smoke. The upbeat summer song showcased what audiences can expect when the former Victorian returns down under in March to share tracks from his new album, and his prvious hits. Gord is a part of the huge main stage line-up at this year’s CMC Rocks QLD, Gord will also be headlining a swag of his own shows while in Australia and he will be touring with his full Canadian band.
Gord has established himself as one of the premier country music artists in Canada – with an incredible 24 CCMA Awards and two CMA awards under his belt, as well as 23 Top 10 singles, including the smash #1 hit When Your Lips Are So Close from his sixth studio release Cowboy Junkie. After signing a record deal in Australia with ABC Music in 2016 Gord headed down for his first Aussie tour, an east coast run with country rockers The Wolfe Brothers. The tour was to promote his first Australian album release, Tin Roof (his seventh global long-player). Gord achieved three Top 5 singles in Australia from the Tin Roof album.
For Gord, returning back to Australia in 2018 is something he has been working towards since the last tour. “I have been looking forward to getting back to Oz since I left,” he says. “The industry and the country music fans have treated me so well and I believe it’s a hidden gem of a market for country music. It is a great atmosphere and I just feel blessed to be able to come to the place I was born, play my music and reconnect with my father and family.”
Gord grew up in Traralgon until the age of five when his parents separated. His mother moved him – and his sister Twila – to Canada. It was almost two decades before he returned to Australia again. Despite the time away, the accomplished musician has always felt an affinity with Australia, so it was no surprise when he had the opportunity to perform back home years later that he found an instant connection with audiences.
“Australian audiences know how to have a good time,” he says. “They love their beer, music and down-home lifestyle – its everything I am. You are always nervous taking your music to places that are brand new, but Australia was so much different. I am very thankful my music has been embraced by the Aussie country music fans.”
The 2018 shows will be the first time Gord has brought his long-time band out to Australia with him, and audiences are certainly in for a musical treat. “I am bringing my own band and crew with me for the first time for these shows” he says. “We have all played together for many years and the Aussie fans will get to see our full show. I am excited to be able to bring them all over with me for these dates.”
Gord Bamford’s new album, Neon Smoke, is released ABC Music on 16 March 2018. Gord’s headline shows will be supported by acclaimed Indigenous singer-songwriter Kevin Bennett.
Friday 16th March 2018
CMC Rocks QLD, IPSWICH QLD
Main Stage
www.cmcrocks.com
Saturday 17th March 2018
CMC Rocks QLD, IPSWICH QLD
2nd Stage
www.cmcrocks.com
Sunday 18th March 2018
CMC Rocks QLD, IPSWICH QLD
Songwriters Tent
www.cmcrocks.com
Thursday 22nd March 2018
Lizottes, NEWCASTLE NSW
(02) 49562066
www.lizottes.com.au
Friday 23rd March 2018
Rooty Hill RSL Club, SYDNEY NSW
(02) 9625 5500
www.rootyhillrsl.com.au
Saturday 24th March 2018
Village Green Hotel, MELBOURNE VIC
(03) 9560 8400
www.thevillagegreen.com.au
Sunday 25th March 2018
Longley International Hotel, HOBART TAS
(03) 6239 6378
www.oztix.com.au
For more information, please visit www.gordbamford.com
