news release - Gord Bamford Foundation

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATED July, 2013
CANADIAN COUNTRY CELEBRITIES CONVENE ON CENTRAL ALBERTA
th
6 Annual Charity Golf Classic Proceeds Support the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation
(LACOMBE, AB) A multitude of Juno and Canadian Country Music Association winning musicians are
gathering in central Alberta on August 7 and 8, 2013 in support of the 6th Annual Gord Bamford Charity
Golf Classic.
Since 2008, Bamford has generated over $1 million dollars through The Gord Bamford Charitable
Foundation (GBCF) to support organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House Central Alberta, MakeA-Wish Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as a numerous children’s hospitals across Canada.
It started six years ago with a simple vision: as Bamford’s celebrity began to grow, he wanted to use it in
a way that would make a profound difference in the lives of underprivileged youth and single parent
families across Canada. As a result, the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation was born.
“The Foundation and the annual celebrity golf event have evolved into so much more than I ever
expected. I wanted to give back to my community, and to see my fellow musicians support the event
year after year is humbling,” says Bamford. “The goal of my Foundation has always come down to
making a difference in someone’s life, whether it means taking their mind off their pain for a day or
simply putting a smile on their face.”
The annual charity golf classic is the vehicle Bamford uses to generate the funds possible for that
Foundation. Each year, top Canadian musicians perform at the pre-golf Gala event, and then are
auctioned off to the highest bidder for a place on their golf team. This year Bamford has gathered some
of the brightest stars in Canadian music: JD Fortune (formerly with INXS), Dallas Smith, Deric Ruttan,
Emerson Drive’s Brad Mates, Aaron Pritchett, Michelle Wright, Beverly Mahood, and Patricia Conroy, as
well as American singer/songwriters Buddy Owens and Justin McBride.
Canadian Country Music Association award-winning artist Aaron Pritchett has been involved since its
inception. “It's very important for me to support the GBCF because I have been fortunate in my career
and want to give back in any way I possibly can. So, giving back to those whom need it most is extremely
important. I feel compelled to give back in every possible way I can and Gord, with his golf tournament,
gives me a chance to do that, to support an area that I don't live in," explains Pritchett.
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NEWS RELEASE/Page 2:
"I keep coming back, year after year, because the event is one that's a day of fun golf, an evening of
great music, meeting people and making new friends. But, most importantly, the amount of money and
awareness the event brings to the benefactors is incredible,” says Pritchett. “I'll keep coming back as
long as I’m asked!"
PennWest Exploration has long supported the event as well, with the 2013 edition being its fifth year.
Keith Luft, General Counsel & Senior Vice President, Stakeholder Relations says they’re proud to support
the Gord Bamford Charity Classic Golf Tournament. “It provides a truly unique and “grassroots”
opportunity for Penn West to engage in the community and create a positive impact where we live,
work and play. The personal commitment from community leaders like Gord and his group is something
really special which we wanted to support. Supporting initiatives such as this is a perfect example of
how community matters to Penn West.” Other event sponsors include Dow Chemical Canada and KG
Country FM Red Deer.
“I’m always scared to put a goal out there,” says Bamford. But hopefully we can surpass the amount
from the year before and hit the $300,000 mark. That would be really nice.”
The 2013 event officially kicks off with the Celebrity gala, starting at 4:30 p.m., August 7, at the Red
Deer Sheraton Hotel Exhibition Hall. The gala features performances by Bamford and the celebrity
guests, a live celebrity auction. The Charity Golf Classic begins at the Lacombe Golf and Country Club at
8 a.m. on Thursday, August 8.
-30*A Celebrity bio page will be included at the new Gord Bamford Foundation website once they are all
confirmed. Also high resolution photos and other Backgrounder articles on the select charitable
organizations supported by The Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation will be available on the Media
page at the new Foundation website:
www.gordbamfordfoundation.com/media
Official Twitter & Facebook Hashtag: #GordBamfordClassic
TO SET UP MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Tracey Feist, Ground Words Communications
(720) 254-6194
tracey@groundwords.com
The Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation offers under privileged youth and single parent families in Canada an equal
opportunity in life by providing monies to support education, health care and music. Furthermore, it is a Foundation goal to
improve communities for Canadian youth through the construction or improvement of multiuse facilities.
BACKGROUNDER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATED July, 2013
Canadian Companies Donate Corporate Support to Community
(LACOMBE, AB) Each year when Gord Bamford picks up the phone to begin raising money for his
Charitable Foundation and annual charity golf classic, he knows of two stead-fast Alberta-based
companies who are supporters of his vision that he can always rely on: PennWest Exploration and Dow
Chemical Canada.
As Title sponsor for the event, Penn West and the Gord Bamford Charity Classic Golf are celebrating
their 5th anniversary during the 2013 event. “Supporting initiatives such as this is a perfect example of
how community matters to Penn West,” says Penn West Senior Vice President Keith Luft.
“The Gord Bamford Charity Classic Golf Tournament provides a truly unique and “grassroots”
opportunity for Penn West to engage in the community and create a positive impact where we live,
work and play. The personal commitment from community leaders like Gord and his group is something
really special which we wanted to support,” says Luft.
This is Dow Chemical Canada’s second year supporting the Charity Golf Classic. “We believe in
supporting a champion such as Gord, who is using this event to provide assistance to a wide variety of
organizations in our community. Together we can make a valuable impact,” says Public Affairs Manager
Shawna Bruce.
“It means a lot to me when companies like Penn West Exploration and Dow Chemical Canada have the
same vision the Gord Bamford Foundation has about community support,” says Bamford. “Together we
all make a great team, and in reality, we wouldn’t be able to raise the funds that we do without them.”
Red Deer radio station KG County 95-5 has been involved with Gord Bamford’s Celebrity Golf Classic
since 2008. “To us, it’s important to support our local community and we feel Gord’s Charitable
Foundation does just that,” says Tim Day, KG Country Music Director and Assistant Program
Director. “We’re certainly looking forward to the 6th Annual and helping see that total of over
$1,000,000 grow even further!”
The 6th Annual Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic is slated for August 7 and 8th, 2013.
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ABOUT:
Title Sponsor: Penn West Exploration is one of the largest conventional oil and natural gas producers,
operating a significant portfolio of light oil in Canada. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Penn West operates
throughout western Canada on a land base encompassing nearly six million acres. Penn West is
committed to the well-being of the communities and areas where it operates. As part of this
commitment, they believe that community investment is a fundamental part of their corporate culture.
Venue Sponsor: Dow Chemical
Dow Chemical has operated in Canada for more than 70 years. Throughout its history, Dow Canada has
manufactured basic chemicals and plastics used to make products in many sectors, including personal
care, transportation, health care and home construction.
Printing
Media
-30Media CONTACT:
Tracey Feist,
Ground Words Communications
(720) 254-6194
tracey@groundwords.com
Communications
BACKGROUNDER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATED July, 2013
Celebrities, Canadian Athletes Support Gord Bamford’s Charity Golf Classic
(LACOMBE, AB) When it comes time to helping Gord Bamford raise money for his Gord Bamford
Foundation, Canada’s country music community heeds the call.
This year is no different. Canadian country stars Dallas Smith, Deric Ruttan, Michelle Wright, Brad Mates
(Emerson Drive), Aaron Pritchett, Patricia Conroy and Beverly Mahood are stepping up to help Bamford
with his cause.
They also are auctioned off on Wednesday, August 7, to the highest bidder for the right to have them on
their golf team the next day at the tournament.
Bamford is also excited to have JD Fortune in attendance this year. Fortune was the lead singer for the
International Rock Group INXS; JD is currently working on a new project with his band Fortune.
“I am proud of my colleagues who are able to join me at my annual golf event. Not only is it a chance for
us to raise money for the Foundation, it is a fun and relaxing night away from long days we spend on the
road and allows us to mingle with our guests & corporate sponsors, says Bamford. “It’s easy to go to bed
that night with a smile on your face.”
The Charity Golf Classic has also been heavily supported by several NHL players and alumni over the past
five years. A full list of those individuals will be announced in the Media section on the new Gord
Bamford Foundation website: www.gordbamfordfoundation.com.
Here is a list of the 2013 Celebrity performers:
Gord Bamford
JD Fortune
Michelle Wright
Deric Ruttan
Brad Mates (Lead singer for Emerson Drive)
Duane Steele
Buddy Owens
Aaron Pritchett
Justin McBride
Wendell Ferguson
Patricia Conroy
Beverley Mahood
Dallas Smith
Phil O’Donnell
Tera Lee
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About Gord Bamford:
Gord Bamford is a multiple CCMA award winner & Juno nominated singer/songwriter, 2010 CCMA Male
Artist of The Year, and the 2012 CCMA Songwriter of the Year. He released his highly anticipated 5th
studio album and major label debut with Sony Music Canada, “Is It Friday Yet”, on March 6, 2012. Just as
important as his music career are his philanthropic efforts, and the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation
has generated over $1,000,000 in the past five years to support local charities. In 2010, Gord Bamford
received the CCMA Humanitarian Award.
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BACKGROUNDER
For immediate release
UPDATED July, 2013
Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation Launches New Website
(LACOMBE, AB) The Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation has a new website to support its mission in
offering underprivileged youth and single parent families in Canada an equal opportunity in life by
providing funds to support education, health care and music.
The website offers information about the early history of the Foundation and those organizations it has
supported over the past five years. Over $1 million dollars has been raised to support the Foundation’s
main mission:
The Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation offers under privileged youth and single parent families in Canada an equal
opportunity in life by providing monies to support education, health care and music. Furthermore, it is a Foundation goal to
improve communities for Canadian youth through the construction or improvement of multiuse facilities.
Those monies have been successfully raised through his annual charity golf tournament, which was first
held in 2008. It was Gord’s love of sports (He once thought a professional baseball career might be a
possibility), that helped him choose a golf tournament format as a way to gather friends, celebrity
musical colleagues and professional athletes together to help support his philanthropy work. As word
spread of the event’s success, telephones began to ring. A large number of groups and organizations
wanted Gord to help out in some fashion with their various fundraisers. While Gord found it very
difficult not being able to reach out to these groups, an idea was born to create a Foundation to help
service these requests.
Gord Bamford believes there is nothing more important than his family and children. As a child growing
up in Lacombe, Gord was a part of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. He experienced the impact
of having someone “give” their time and support to make his life a better one.
“It was a real good thing for me,” says Bamford of that time when his mom suggested he sign up for the
Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Lacombe. “Having that male figure in my life was a good thing at that
point in my young teen years. My big brother rode bulls, was a cowboy and I travelled to lots of rodeos
with him. It’s probably what got me into country and country music to begin with.”
That experience set the stage for what would eventually become The Gord Bamford Charitable
Foundation.
The new website went live today, Monday, June 17, 2013. The address is:
www.gordbamfordfoundation.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATED July, 2013
Confirmed Celebrities for the 6th Annual Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic
(LACOMBE, AB) The following is a confirmed list of celebrities who will be in attendance at the Gord
Bamford Charity Golf Classic in Lacombe, AB August 7 and August 8, 2013.
Celebrity
Gord Bamford
Aaron Pritchett
JD Fortune
Deric Ruttan
Brad Mates
Michelle Wright
Beverly Mahood
Duane Steele
Buddy Owens
Phil O’Donnell
Tera Lee
Justin McBride
Wendell Ferguson
Foxworthee Girls
Jackie Rae Greening
Davey Shields Jr.
Denny Hay
Rod Hay
Gilbert Dionne
Theoren Fleury
Curtis Glencross
Chris Mason
Kris Russell
Duane Sutter
Pete Vandermeer
Brent Bingham
W. Brett Wilson
Jackson Davies
Category
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Recording Artist
Radio Personality
CPRA Cowboy
CPRA Cowboy
CPRA Cowboy
NHL
NHL
NHL
NHL
NHL
NHL
NHL
Golf Pro
Dragon’s Den
Actor
Performing Y/N
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
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Live Auction Participant
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
BACKGROUNDER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATED July, 2013
2013 Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic – Sponsor “Heroes”
The 2013 Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic Committee would like to recognize these Heroes Sponsors:
BACKGROUNDER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATED July, 2013
2013 Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic – “Raise the Bar” Sponsors
The 2013 Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic Committee would like to recognize these Raise the Bar
Sponsors:
A&B Pipelines
Alberta Sports Vision Institute
Apparel Solutions
Ashley Gelmici-McTavish Real Estate
ATB Business & Agriculture Services
Booster Juice
Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Committee
Canadian Claim Services
Crimtech Services Ltd.
D.J. Will Holdings Limited
Dorward & Company LLP Chartered Accountants
Downton’s Transport
East Country Electric
GCS Energy Services
Gimmics
Hoopfer Construction
Hydrodig
Intact Insurance
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
KG Country 95.5 FM Red Deer
Kindopp’s Digital Printing
LA Carpet and Tile
McCaws Drilling & Sandblasting Ltd.
McMeekin Resources
MNP Lacombe
Peace Hills Insurance
Phone Experts
Ponoka Stampede Association
Prairie Bus Lines
Property Solutions
Ron Sims Auctioneering
Sony Entertainment Canada
TBR Contracting
The Mavericks
The Moose Group
Waschuk Pipelines
BACKGROUNDER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATED July, 2013
2013 Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic - Schedule of Events
(LACOMBE, AB) The 2013 edition of the Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic is set to bring together
celebrities, corporations and communities in support The Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation.
Media involvement and attendance is welcome at the event. Please contact Tracey Feist, Ground Words
Communications at 720-254-6194, to confirm your participation. The new Gord Bamford Foundation
website “Media Only” area offers more information on the Celebrity performers’ bios, photos, and other
articles relating to the event. High resolution photos from the 2013 event will be posted in this secure
area. Tracey Feist can provide you with the password information.
Social Media information:
Twitter:
#GordBamfordClassic
Facebook:
#GordBamfordClassic
Facebook:
Gord Bamford
Tuesday, August 7: Gala Event
Red Deer Sheraton Exhibition Hall, 3310 - 50th Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta
4:30 pm
5:30 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
9:00 pm
10:30 pm
Cocktails begin (silent & live auction viewing)
Dinner
Evening program - Hosted by KG Country 95.5 FM Morning Hosts Tera Lee & Greg Shannon
Live Artist Performances - Hosted by Wendell Ferguson along with GB Band & Special Guests
LIVE Auction begins
Jam Session with special guests
Wednesday August 8: Charity Golf Classic
Lacombe Golf and Country Club - 6000 - 50th Avenue, Lacombe, Alberta
8:00 am
9:00 am
5:30 pm
6:30 pm
Golf Registration & Breakfast
Golf
Dinner
Prizes
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Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic Live auction items
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Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita Resort, Mexico, TTI Travel, WestJet Travel Package
Gord Bamford Private House Concert donated by Cache Entertainment
Willie Nelson Autographed Guitar donated by The Gord Bamford Foundation
Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon VIP All-Access Evening donated by The Calgary Stampede
Chuckwagon Committee
Edmonton 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Award's Package donated by Canadian
Country Music Association
Two Seats to a Montreal Canadiens Game at the Bell Centre Montreal donated by The Gord
Bamford Charitable Foundation and Gilbert Dionne
Ponoka “78” Annual Stampede Event Package donated by The Ponoka Stampede Association
Curtis Glencross signed jersey along with (4) Four Flames vs Oilers Game donated by The Calgary
Flames
GB 2013 Golf Tourney "All Artist" Autographed Guitar donated by Gord Bamford
ATB Rexall Sky Suite Concert Package (Includes 2013 CCMAs, Jason Alden October 4, Brad
Paisley October 26 and 2013 CFR) donated by ATB Financial Business & Agriculture
One (1) Golf Team spot for the 2014 7th Annual GB Charity Golf Classic donated by The Gord
Bamford Charitable Foundation
Gord Bamford Autographed 2013 Charity Golf Classic Guitar donated by Gord Bamford
Pheasant 30 Bird Shoot with Gord Bamford
Rebels Night Out donated by Mooney Insurance Group
Longball Inc. Golf Package for 2, Accompanied by Mitch Evanecz donated by Mitch Evanecz
Seven day guided archery resident Elk bow hunt for 2013 hunting season donated by Lone Pine
Outfitting Inc. & East Country Electric
All guests and golfers at the 2013 Gord Bamford Charity Golf Classic will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to win a 2013 Dyna Street Bob
FXDB Harley Davidson motorcycle donated by The Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation, with assistance from Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson