“Western AF” Remembers Luke Bell on His 35th Birthday
Country artist Luke Bell would have turned 35 on Monday, January 27. But unfortunately, he’s no longer around to celebrate with the rest of us. He passed away tragically in August of 2022 at the age of 32.
Instead of focusing on Luke Bell’s death and the circumstances surrounding it, YouTube video channel/production company Western AF is focusing on his life with a new 50-minute extended feature that captures multiple artists who knew Luke Bell reminiscing on his life, and playing his songs. See the full video below.
JP Harris and Kevin Martin (The Cowpokes/Hogslop String Band) talk to each other at The Bomb Shelter studio in Nashville before JP performs Luke Bell’s “The Bullfighter.” Kristina Murray who recently signed to Normaltown/New West Records shares her experiences with Luke before performing “All Blue” at Santa’s Pub in Nashville.
The film also features Camille Weatherford, Max Bien Kahn, Cheech Moosekian, and Moses Nelligan performing “Sometimes” in New Orleans, Chris Acker singing “Don’t Mind If I Do” also in NOLA, members of The Deslondes performing “Loretta” in Austin, and Pat Reedy performing “Where Ya Been?” at the White Horse in Austin.
The various performers and locations of the short film trace the lineage of Luke Bell through his music career. Along with the tributes to Luke Bell, archive footage of Luke himself from early in his career performing songs is included.
Western AF is based out of Wyoming where Luke Bell is originally from, and the company’s lead director/editor Mike Vanata was close friends with Luke, and one of his early champions.
The film is the latest in a string of projects remembering Luke Bell. In November of 2024, the local Wyoming PBS station did a short documentary on Luke Bell focusing on mental health. Directors Kevin Romeo and Matt Bakken of Rhino Media are busy putting the finishing touches on their full-length documentary called Where Ya Been? The Odyssey and Elegy of Luke Bell.
There is also word of a scripted film based on Luke Bell’s life that is in the works, as well as a new release of previously-published but currently-unavailable songs from Luke Bell, and new, unheard songs too. Stay tuned as more information about those projects becomes available.
Going on three years after his death, Luke Bell continues to captivate the world, while the people he touched step up to makes sure the world never forgets.
January 30, 2025 @ 7:58 am
Ah dammit I weren’t planning on crying tonight.
January 30, 2025 @ 9:21 am
That was AWESOME.
January 30, 2025 @ 10:09 am
He stood out, I’ll give him that.
Unlike 99,99% of his contemporaries, he knew his roots.
January 30, 2025 @ 4:53 pm
Thanks Trigger and thank You Western AF,l what a lovely way to remember a uniquely talented young man who left us far too soon
January 30, 2025 @ 5:02 pm
This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
January 30, 2025 @ 6:16 pm
Incredible watch
January 30, 2025 @ 8:40 pm
This is incredible. I have listened to Luke’s self titled record probably a thousand times and sang its praises to whoever would listen. “The Bullfighter” is an all time song. It is so great to get a glimpse into his personality.
Thanks for sharing this and I am eagerly looking forward to the other projects mentioned!
January 31, 2025 @ 8:46 am
Thanks for sharing Trig. This was great to watch. He touched a lot of people and it was nice to see that get noticed.
January 31, 2025 @ 11:27 am
Great video. Thanks for sharing!! RIP Luke. Listened to his album for my commute this morning.
February 2, 2025 @ 9:08 am
I mean this in the most respectful way possible, so please nobody read this the wrong way.
Why is there seemingly so much interest in Luke Bell and his life and story after his passing? He was a phenomenal singer and songwriter, but I’ve always been curious about why HIM? I’m truly happy he is getting the recognition he deserves. I just think It’s interesting he had a PBS doc and now a scripted film.
I can’t wait to watch western AFs video about him later tonight. I wish more film folk took and interest in these great songwriters.
AGAIN, please don’t take this as a complaint, sass or anything of the like.
February 2, 2025 @ 9:38 am
When I reported on the death of Luke Bell in 2022, and it basically became the biggest news story of the day in the United States and made it all the way to ABC’s Nightly News broadcast, I was blown away myself. I’m not sure exactly what it is about Luke’s story that intrigues the public so much, but it does, and it’s real. I do wonder myself if there is enough interest in the story to justify all the projects about it. The PBS thing was pretty short, and this Western AF video is Luke’s old friend Mike Vanata helping to pay tribute to him. The scripted film might never happen, I don’t know. But in some respects, these projects might actually be feeding interest as opposed to overexposing it. We’ll have to see how the documentary and his new music is received once it’s released.
February 6, 2025 @ 5:28 pm
I’ve been doing some pondering in the days since I commented here and read your post Trigger. Just wrapped up Western AFs tribute to Luke as I type. I can’t put my finger on it either but I’m happy people care. Watching the video made me pour a glass of whiskey, pick up my guitar and play along to the tributes played for him. There’s something very unique, yet very familiar with him. He is part of a great American tradition, but his songs were truly his own.
I think with Luke, him and his music is timeless. He could exist in the 21st century and he could have shared a stage with Hank Williams Sr and not be out of place. I think that’s the appeal.
February 2, 2025 @ 6:07 pm
I’m so glad I discovered Luke Bell via SCM.
His album (which I think was technically his 2nd release, but with almost the same song list) has been a massive favorite of mine since I first heard it. Like many fans, I was waiting and waiting for a follow-up release. Alas, it didn’t happen.
However, in your text and in the video, a number of unreleased songs are spoken about. That’s a posthumous album that I would be keen to get.
February 2, 2025 @ 7:34 pm
The Deslondes singing “Loretta” is absolute gold.