Country music star Ridley Bent to headline at Idlewild Musicfest

Country rock at its best is only one of the many ways to describe western Canada’s rising country star Ridley Bent. Country rocker and headliner Ridley Bent will bring his distinctive musical style to the 6th annual Idlewild Musicfest on Saturday, August 20th, and tickets are now available.

"Ridley Bent is one of Canada's strongest singer-songwriters, an exceptional lyricist who seems to have an endless cast of oddball characters running around in his head." - John P. McLaughlin, The Vancouver Province

The audience will also enjoy the music of Cranbrook’s own 60 Hertz. Front man James Neve describes the band's recently released first album, Time Stands Still, as "upbeat roots and rock." Neve is vocals and guitar, David Birch is vocals and bass, Robert Young is lead guitar and Marty Musser is on percussion.

The long-time musicians have been playing together in different permeations since the 1970s, but the band started in its current form two years ago. They started working on the album right away, choosing 12 tracks from a repertoire of 40 original songs.

60 Hertz pulls on influences ranging from the Beatles to Moody Blues, with lead guitar that's a little like Santana. They’ll bring their distinctive musical style to the Idlewild stage.

As well Cranbrook’s Blarney’s Pilgrim and fiddler Angus MacDonald will also be one of the feature musical groups. 

The gates at Idlewild Park will open at 2:30 p.m. and music will start between 3:30 and 4 p.m. There will be food concessions, vendors, lots of fun and entertainment for the whole family. Tickets to the Idlewild Musicfest are only $20 per person (under 13 pay by donation) and the proceeds go towards supporting the Cranbrook Public Library’s and Cranbrook Home Run Society.

Tickets are available at Lotus Books, Pages Used Books, the Cranbrook Public Library and the Kimberley Public Library. For more information about the Idlewild Musicfest call the Cranbrook Public Library at 250-426-4063.