Free screening of Luke Bell documentary June 10 in Cody

Luke Bell was a rising star in country music, known for a timeless sound that captured the spirit of the American West. Raised in Cody, Luke’s heartfelt songwriting and distinctive voice earned him national acclaim. But behind the music, he quietly battled bipolar disorder and other mental health challenges—a struggle that ultimately claimed his life.

On Tuesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m., the public is invited to The Cody Theatre (1171 Sheridan Ave.) for a free screening of “Frontier State: The Story of Luke Bell,” part of the Heartland Chapter Emmy Award-winning Wyoming PBS mental health documentary series “A State of Mind.”

The 30-minute film honors Luke’s life and legacy, highlighting both his rise as a beloved country artist—he opened for legends like Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, and Hank Williams Jr.—and the mental health challenges he faced. Through intimate interviews with family, friends, and fellow Wyomingites, the documentary offers a personal look at the impact of mental illness and the strength found in community.

“In his illness, Luke suffered so much, and those of us who loved him suffered too — watching him and not knowing how to help,” says his mother, Carol Bell, who appears in the film. “I hope that sharing Luke’s story will help others feel less alone and perhaps meet mental illness with more understanding and grace.”

Also featured are Stan and Mary Flitner, ranchers near Shell and Luke’s grandparents, who turned their grief into action by launching a community mental health fitness fair. Stan will be part of a panel discussion following the screening. He will be joined by film director Mat Hames of Alpheus Media and Heather Bales, a Cody native, licensed therapist in Powell, and founder of Wyo Hoofbeats, a nonprofit offering equine therapy for children.

Joanna Kail, CEO of Wyoming PBS, will moderate the panel discussion.

Attendees will also hear from Carol Bell, and Luke’s sister, Jane Bell, will close the evening with a special performance of Luke’s song, “Bullfighter.”

The event coincides with the Wyoming PBS Foundation Board’s annual retreat in Cody.

“We’re honored to join Carol Bell, a valued board member and Cody local, in welcoming the community to this heartfelt event,” says Judd Rogers, executive director of the Wyoming PBS Foundation. “It’s a meaningful way for our board to connect with Cody while paying tribute to Luke’s powerful story.”

Now in its second season, “A State of Mind” has earned four Heartland Chapter Emmy Awards and continues to tell stories of resilience, struggle, and hope across the Mountain West. Several episodes in the series, including the show featuring Luke Bell, were recently nominated for this year’s Heartland Chapter Emmy Awards.

Hames, who directed the series for Wyoming PBS, says in making this specific episode, he felt the weight of Luke’s absence and the beauty of the music he left behind.

“But his legacy is more than his songs—it lives on through his family and friends who are working to break the silence around mental health,” Hames says. “That awareness is, in itself, a kind of eulogy.”

For more information about the series, visit: wyomingpbs.org/astateofmind/