Winnipeg based country musician Ridley Bent is excited to return to Lethbridge, Oct. 4 to open for the one and only Shooter Jennings, son of country legend Waylon Jennings, who will be playing Average Joes with his dad’s band Waymore’s Outlaws and Saskatchewan country singer Colter Wall.
“ I’ve not only never met Shooter, I’ve never actually seen his show. But I’ve seen him on Youtube and hear some of his stuff on the Outlaw country station (on Sirius XM). He’s bringing a very hot band, so I’m totally stoked to see it,” said Bent, who is looking forward to playing five shows with Shooter Jennings.
Ridley Bent will be playing a stripped down set with just himself and guitarist Chris Dunn.
He has had a pretty exciting year already, winning his second Western Canadian Music Award for best country album for his most recent CD “Wildcard.”
“I wasn’t expecting it so it’s made me very happy. I won one for my last album ‘Rabbit on the Wheel’ too,” he said.
He is working on several projects including an album with his steel guitarist, a B Sides album and a CD of new music.
“I’m always working on new music,” he said.
The as of yet untitled B Sides album is first up.
“It’s something I’ve been passionate about,” he said crowd demand pushed it to the top of his to do list.
“I’ll be playing a song live and people will come and ask me what album it’s on. And I’ll have to tell them it isn’t on any album. So now it will be on an album he said.
“A lot of the time there just isn’t room for the song, or it doesn’t fit in. Just because a song doesn’t make it onto an album, it doesn’t mean it isn’t a great song,” he observed.
“There will be a lot more comedic and funny songs on it,” he said
He noted the new country album will feature his eight piece band including drums, bass, steel, guitar and vocals.
He is also working on a new project collaborating with his pedal steel guitar as well as beginning the writing process for a new country album.
“I’ve got three great songs ready for that, hopefully we’ll get started on that in the spring,” he said.
In addition to that he is creating music for a new exhibit from visual artist Wanda Coup.
“There will be video of me playing Hurricane Side Winder and another of David Harley’s son. It is part of a big gallery exhibition,” Bent said.
He is also looking forward to going on the road with Barney and Dustin Bentall as part of the the Grand Cariboo Opry.
He is excited to see some of his old friends at the Lethbridge show.
“I really hope people will come out. It will be a good time. Corb Lund and Leeroy Stagger are there, so I hope I’ll be able to see them. I love Lethbridge. It’s a beautiful place, so I can’t wait,” he said.
The Lethbridge show with Shooter Jennings and Colter Wall begins at 8 p.m., Oct. 4.
Tickets cost $45 in advance, $55 at the door if there are any left.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
