NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPDATED July, 2013 CANADIAN COUNTRY CELEBRITIES CONVENE ON CENTRAL ALBERTA 6th 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, Make- A-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. -MORE- 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 [email protected] 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. -MORE- 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 Communications -30- Media CONTACT: Tracey Feist, Ground Words Communications (720) 254-6194 [email protected] 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 Justin McBride Michelle Wright Wendell Ferguson Deric Ruttan Patricia Conroy Brad Mates (Lead singer for Emerson Drive) Beverley Mahood Duane Steele Dallas Smith Buddy Owens Phil O’Donnell Aaron Pritchett Tera Lee -MORE- 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.