Country Music Week Launches as Gord Bamford joins MusiCounts for Band Aid Grant Celebration

Yesterday morning in Edmonton, the official launch of Country Music Week 2014 took place at St. Augustine School with the celebration of a Band Aid Grant from MusiCounts that provided $10,000 worth of instruments to support the school’s music education program. MusiCounts was joined by Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Award-winning artist, Gord Bamford, as he performed for over 300 students and attendees in the school’s gymnasium. Additionally, Bamford was recognized for his $100,000 contribution to MusiCounts made through the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation. Bamford took the time to visit the music class at St. Augustine School prior to the presentation to see first-hand the impact that contributions like his have on a school music program and its students.

“It’s a huge honour for me to be a part of this today, helping MusiCounts put instruments in the hands of children,” said Gord Bamford. “Music has always been an unbelievable part of my life and is an extremely important part of the education system for kids today. Looking around the room, it’s great to see such a high level of passion and enthusiasm from the young people present. Earlier today, I had a chance to visit with the kids in the music room and it’s clear that the St. Augustine School music teacher will be able to put these instruments to good use for years to come.”

St. Augustine Elementary School, has put the grant toward purchasing new percussion and orff instruments, giving young musicians more opportunities to play, create and enjoy music. Also in attendance at the special presentation was Don Green, President of the Canadian Country Music Association as well as Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS / The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts.

“Edmonton is a city where country music thrives, and is celebrated,” said Don Green, President of the Canadian Country Music Association. “We’re thrilled to kick-off Country Music Week with an event that fosters continued growth and appreciation for music in the community, in a place where it really counts – the schools. This meaningful event is the perfect start to a week filled with opportunities to experience great Canadian country music across Edmonton.”

“The increasing support that we have witnessed from the country music community recently has been phenomenal. Many of the new partnerships that we have fostered started when we first became one of the charities of choice for the CCMA,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts. “Gord Bamford’s pledge of $100,000 over the next three years is the largest ever contribution we have ever received from an artist and for that we could not be more thankful.”

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About the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA)
Established in 1976, the CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music. Built upon the foundation to educate, elevate and celebrate Canadian talent, the CCMA progressively heralds the spirit, community and creativity that country music fosters through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week and the CCMA Awards. Sponsors of Country Music Week and the 2014 CCMA Awards Show include FACTOR, Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and The Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “Canada Music Fund”, Radio Starmaker Fund, the Province of Alberta, the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Tourism.

About Gord Bamford
He's been called Canada's answer to George Strait. But a distinctive sound and songwriting ability is what defines Gord Bamford as one of country music's best neotraditional artists and like so many others that have come before him; Bamford is not an overnight success. He has spent the better part of the last 20 years honing his craft, working to get where he is today: a 16-time Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) award winning artist and multi-time JUNO nominee.   

While his 6th studio album Country Junkie sees Bamford collaborating with a variety of different songwriters, he stays true to that formula for success he's had with Nashville-based co-writing partner Byron Hill (George Strait - "Fool Hearted Memory", Gary Allan - "Nothing On But The Radio", Joe Nichols - "Size Matter".... just to name a few).

About MusiCounts
MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) is helping to keep music alive in schools across Canada. MusiCounts' mission is to ensure that children in Canada, regardless of socio-economic circumstances or cultural background, have access to music programs through their schools. MusiCounts includes Band Aid musical instrument grants, the TD Community Music Grants, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, Scholarships and other music education initiatives. MusiCounts is funded by annual contributions by Bell Media; Astral Media; TD; SiriusXM Canada; the Slaight Family Foundation; Music Canada, Vista Radio, House of Marley, Morningstar Canada and supported since inception by Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc.; Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada Ltd. Since MusiCounts' establishment in 1997, nearly $7,000,000 will have been awarded to help support music education in Canada. These funds have impacted over 600 school communities from coast to coast, supported over 300 post-secondary music program graduates and honoured 9 extraordinary music teachers through the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award.

Media Contacts:

Jillian Safian | jillian@penelopepr.com | 289-684-5455