Ridley Bent

Ridley Bent is the stage name of Brian Daniel Fowler, a Canadian country singer-songwriter born on January 1, 1979. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bent was raised throughout Canada in a military family. He spent his youth as an army brat, traveling extensively and eventually spending his formative years in Alberta. He started learning to play guitar at an early age, listening to such bands as Rage Against the Machine, Sublime, and the Beastie Boys. He moved to Vancouver by way of Whistler in 2000, getting a job as a security guard. He formally launched his musical career in 2000 in British Columbia, including performances as an opening act for Great Big Sea and Sam Roberts. His debut album, Blam!, was released on MapleMusic Recordings in 2005, and was marked by a style that incorporated country, rock and hip hop influences, in a manner similar to Buck 65. Described by Bent as hick hop, the album was best known for the single Suicidewinder. His subsequent albums, 2007's Buckles and Boots and 2010's Rabbit on My Wheel, pursued a more conventional country sound. In early 2009, Bent's song Nine Inch Nails won in the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards and Vox Pop vote for Best Country Song. Bent was nominated for a Canadian Country Music Award in 2009, and has won no less than seven British Columbia Country Music Awards. Ridley Bent's ability to blend genres and his distinctive hick hop style have made him a unique voice in Canadian country music, pushing the boundaries of traditional country while maintaining authenticity.

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