From B.C. bud to Budweiser, Ridley Bent has inhaled it all.

A cowboy beat poet when he’s singin’, these days the Halifax-raised rhymer-songwriter is at home whether he’s playing folk festivals around B.C. (including Vernon’s very own Komasket Music Festival in 2007) or the country carousal known as the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, where he set off a few fireworks this past summer.

“I was asked if I wanted pyro at Merritt. That was the first time I have ever been asked that,” laughed Bent, adding he still loves to play folk fests as that is where the die-hard music fans are.

Bent has been betting more on country lately –– and the gamble just won him seven B.C. Country Music Awards for his latest album, Buckles and Boots.

About to join fellow genre-bending cowboy artist Corb Lund on a western tour that stops in Vernon Monday, Bent was unable to pick up his BCCMA awards in person. However, the recent Winnipeg transplant said he was blown away by the love shown to him by the country community.

“My friend who was there texted me when I won, and the phone just kept ringing,” he said. “I love playing country, and I definitely would love to do more.”

For his second CD, Buckles and Boots, Bent said he wanted a different sound combining the organic resonance of old country thrown in with a little big band western swing.

Bent had already gathered quite the following in western Canada, sampling hip hop with folky-roots –– referred to as hick-hop –– on his 2006 album Blam. Produced by former Bass is Base bassist Chin Injeti, the album made reference to everything from Johnny Cash to Beastie Boy rhymer Mike D (as heard on the song Suicidewinder).

“After you rhyme for a while, it can get old. I put rap in every six-to-seven songs as fans of my records want to hear that. This new CD is original in its approach,” said Bent, who has been inspired from just about everyone from George Jones to the Man in Black himself.

“I love Johnny Cash for his voice and songs, but for Buckles and Boots my inspiration was from Lyle Lovett. I saw him at the River Rock theatre and thought of that show. He put on a great performance with a lot of players, whereas, Johnny was more of a trio. I liked the bigger sound, but I wanted country that was not too loud.”

With a FACTOR grant in hand, Bent hired producer John Ellis, who has worked with the Be Good Tanyas and the Bentalls, both veteran rocker Barney and his son Dustin, who has made a name for himself on the alt. country scene.

(Bent used to room with Dustin in Vancouver and both were in the band The Bottle and the Truth. )

“When you choose a producer, you choose a sound,” said Bent. “In this day and age, you make records on a low budget. I wanted the mixing and mastering to be radio worthy. I’m an artist who writes songs, so you want to get producers who can do their part of the job, and do it well.”

Now that he has a radio-worthy CD and an armful of awards, Bent says he doesn’t know about breaking into the U.S., where country fans are a rather rabid breed. However, he does plan to visit Nashville and attend the International Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, Tenn. this February.

“I have no fan base in the U.S., and sure, I would like some international success. Knowing myself, I will keep touring B.C. and Alberta. Touring costs money, and I can earn some money in the west.”

Tagging along with Lund, whose new CD Losin’ Lately Gambler is also turning heads, doesn’t hurt.

“I warm them up and Corb knocks ‘em down,” said Bent. “It’s good to get in front of their crowds.”

Bent opens for Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans Monday at the Performing Arts Centre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $37, available at the Ticket Seller, 549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca.