TORONTO, ON  Today, MusiCounts announced Gord Bamford as the 2019-2020 recipient of the MusiCounts Inspired Minds Ambassador Award presented by The Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation.The award recognizes individuals who have had an extraordinary impact on music education and MusiCountsover the course of its history.

“We are honoured to announce Gord Bamford as the MusiCounts Inspired Minds Ambassador Award recipient,” said Kristy Fletcher, Executive Director, MusiCounts. “We can’t think of anyone who is more deserving. Thank you Gord and the Gord Bamford Foundation - together we’ve created opportunities for thousands more children across Canada to experience the life-changing benefits of music.”

“It is our pleasure to acknowledge and present Gord Bamford with this year’s Award,” said Sherry MacDonald, President and CEO of The Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation. “Not only does Gord believe in the power of education, he continues to encourage and inspire young Canadians to reach their dreams.”

Since 2014, Gord Bamford and the Gord Bamford Foundation has donated $200,000 to MusiCounts to support school music programs, the largest donation ever received from an artist in MusiCounts’ history. These donations provide instruments grants to children across Canada, and give generations of students the opportunity to enjoy the incredible benefits of music in school.

The Gord Bamford Foundation has donated to over 63 organizations—with initiatives ranging from music, education, health care and sports—and has raised over $4 million to date. Bamford has also supported the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, performed at MusiCounts Band Aid Program celebrations and the Foundation has started music therapy programs in half a dozen children’s hospitals.

“The greatest thing I get to do is interact with children and try to make a difference in their lives,” said Bamford. “This all started as fans and people living in my hometown of Lacombe, AB began asking me to lend my support to various causes, and charities. Seeing that the need was there, I wanted to help but wanted to make sure that the right outlet was in place to be able to offer that support. Now, twelve years later I still am astounded that it would grow into this magnitude. I'm honoured to be able to support such incredible organizations like MusiCounts that help children and youth all across Canada.”

In honour of the Award Recipient, $30,000 worth of MusiCounts Band Aid Program instrument grants will be awarded to Canadian schools in need. This year’s Award will be given out at the inaugural Canadian Music Hall of Fame Ceremony presented by Music Canada, happening in Calgary at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre on October 27, 2019.

About The Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation

Founded in 1960, The Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to helping Canadian families save for their children's post-secondary education through its subsidiaries CST Spark Inc. and CST Consultants Inc. In addition to its focus on education savings, the Foundation rewards hard working and community minded Canadian students through scholarships, bursaries and awards programs - with more than $2 million awarded since CST began. Through innovation, advocacy and philanthropy The Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation continues to deliver upon its mission. For more information, visit www.cst.org

About MusiCounts

MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with CARAS and the JUNO Awards is keeping music alive in schools and communities across Canada by putting musical instruments into the hands of children that need them most. MusiCounts' mission is to ensure that youth in Canada have access to music programs through their schools and communities. MusiCounts celebrates musical excellence and achieves its mission through its Band Aid Program, the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, MusiCounts Inspired Minds Ambassador Award, Scholarships and other music education initiatives.

MusiCounts is funded by many of Canada's most dedicated individuals and corporate citizens including and especially The Leadership Circle, TD Bank Group, Bell Media, SiriusXM Canada, the Slaight Family Foundation, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, and The London JUNO Host Committee. MusiCounts has been supported since inception by Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., Universal Music Canada, Warner Music Canada Ltd., JUNO Songwriters' Circle and JUNO Cup. MusiCounts was established in 1997, and has awarded over $12,000,000 in support of music education in Canada. These funds have benefitted nearly 1,200 schools and communities, supported over 350 post-secondary music program graduates, and honoured 14 extraordinary music teachers and three MusiCounts ambassadors.

www.musicounts.ca

About the Gord Bamford Foundation

As a not for profit organization, The Gord Bamford Foundation is passionate about supporting youth. The foundation provides funds for initiatives that include or involve music, education, health care, sports, and multi-use facilities that benefit youth across Canada. Gord Bamford is an award-winning country artist who is a 26-time CCMA award winner with 27 Top 10 singles in Canada.

www.gordbamfordfoundation.com