Canadian Cornerstone Gord Bamford Launches In US

Courtesy Shock Ink

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Canada's top male country artist Gord Bamford teased a US launch throughout 2014, whetting the appetite of fans and media alike in limited appearances south of the border. And now comes the main course as Bamford commences a full-scale push into the U.S. market with a showcase for top media and radio tastemakers as well as a presence at Country Radio Seminar.

First up is February's CRS in Nashville. The annual event that brings hundreds of station program directors and music directors together with record labels and artists will offer the 2014 CCMA Male Artist of the Year a chance to start his introductions.

The following month, Bamford will have the chance to show U.S. tastemakers how he earned all those Canadian hits, trophies and sales certifications. Gord will host a showcase in Banff, Alberta in mid-March, offering radio and media gatekeepers an up-close look at his singing, songwriting and performing abilities, proving that he's no unseasoned newcomer. After the showcase, look for a single to impact at radio in spring 2015.

This past September, Gord was honored with the Country Music Association's prestigious Global Country Artist Award - the organization's highest award for an artist signed outside the U.S. The recognition followed a handful of excursions into the U.S. during 2014. Bamford got the attention of audiences and critics, scoring major press hits in, among others, the Lansing State Journal, the Denver Post and the Phoenix New Times. The latter raved that Bamford "put on one hell of a show."

That momentum is just the logical extension of what Canadian country market has experienced over the last few years as Bamford has quickly ascended to the industry's pinnacle. In addition to his Male crown, Gord also received the 2014 CCMA trophy for Single of the Year for, of course, "When Your Lips Are So Close," bringing his career CCMA trophy count to 19. Bamford's current album Country Junkie debuted at No. 1 on the country album chart last June, propelled by the gold-certified "Lips."

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