Emmy-nominated short film series The Montana Sessions is back for a third season featuring live performances in scenic locations throughout the state of Montana by The Lucky Valentines, Kitchen Dwellers, Kevin Van Dort, and Matt Wallin & His Nervous Breakdown.

The first two episodes of The Montana Sessions season three feature the husband-and-wife folk duo The Lucky Valentines performing from the historic Fort Benton Bridge in Fort Benton, MT.

Located along the Missouri River in Chouteau County, Fort Benton is considered to be one of the oldest continuously occupied settlements in Montana. Established in 1846, the town served as the final fur trading post on the upper Missouri River, making it an important economic outpost in the region. The town’s truss bridge, constructed in 1888, bolstered Fort Benton’s role as a gateway to the American West, though its role in the country’s westward expansion diminished soon after thanks to the rise of the railroad system. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Today, Fort Benton is a charming and historic town that offers a glimpse into Montana’s rich cultural heritage. The city is home to several historic buildings and landmarks including the Grand Union Hotel, which was built in 1882 and is considered to be one of the oldest continuously operating hotels west of the Mississippi River. Visitors to Fort Benton can also stop by the Missouri River Fort Museum, which showcases the history of the fur trade and steamboat commerce in the area. The Missouri River offers excellent fishing for species such as catfish, walleye, and smallmouth bass, and there are several parks and recreation areas in the area for hiking, camping, and picnicking. For more information about visiting Fort Benton, Montana, head here.

Shaun and Jamie Carrier of The Lucky Valentines have four beautiful children together and find joy in gardening, performing, writing, homeschooling, and reading Lord of the Rings to their aspiring Justice Warriors. Their dream is to travel the world sharing music and come home to a little farm with horses to ride, and goats to mow the lawn. For now, they live in a sweet little city, ride in a big ol’ van, and the kids do the lawn mowing. Follow them on social media here.

For their first of two performances on The Montana Sessions, The Lucky Valentines—comprised of fiddler/vocalist Jamie Carrier and guitarist/vocalist Shaun Carrier—stomp through a rousing performance of “Josephine” from the middle of the Old Bridge. “Love lift the water from your hair, close your eyes and don’t speak, do not be troubled by this glaring sun, his holy heat made for dyin’,” Shaun growls as the rays of the setting sun peek through the bridge’s trusses. The natural glow of the sun over the Missouri River provides the ideal backdrop for the mournful mountain sounds of The Lucky Valentines’ sorrowing fiddle and DIY percussion (by way of a makeshift briefcase-turned-kick drum), transporting viewers to a time and place seemingly untouched by the ever-grinding gears of time.

For their episode two performance on The Montana Sessions, the Carriers offer up a live rendition of their latest single, “Junkmail”, due to be included on the forthcoming album from The Lucky Valentines, Losses. A more wistful companion to the upbeat track featured in episode one, “Junkmail” showcases the softer side of The Lucky Valentines’ musical love affair. Like the best Americana tunes through history, “Junkmail” takes listeners inside the poignant moments of reflection born from everyday strife. The serene setting only adds to that satisfying emotional contrast as the delicate, personal tune reverberates through the seemingly boundless natural surroundings, birds audibly chirping their approval as The Lucky Valentines play.

Watch the first and second episodes of The Montana Sessions season three featuring The Lucky Valentines performing “Josephine” from the Fort Benton Bridge below. New episodes of The Montana Sessions will debut twice per week throughout April and into May via the 4:08 Productions YouTube page and Live For Live Music.

The Montana Sessions Season 3, Episode 1 – The Lucky Valentines – “Josephine” – Live at the Fort Benton Bridge

[Video: 4:08 Productions]

The Montana Sessions Season 3, Episode 2 – The Lucky Valentines – “Junkmail” – Live at the Fort Benton Bridge

Produced by Los Angeles- and Bozeman-based production company 4:08 Productions, The Montana Sessions highlights the great state of Montana by showcasing unique performances by its best and brightest musical talents in some of its most stunning natural locales. The series was made possible by a grant from The Greater Montana Foundation with additional support from The Montana Arts Council and Live For Live Music.

The Montana Sessions is directed by Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and 4:08 Productions founder Nic Davis. He made his feature film debut in 2021 with his Enormous: The Gorge Story, the star-studded documentary about beloved George, WA natural amphitheater The Gorge. He has released two more feature films since the beginning of this year, Ivan Doig: Landscapes of a Western Mind, about Montana author Ivan Doig, and 21 Miles, about the local societal ripples caused by Malibu, CA’s Pacific Coast Highway.

For more information on The Montana Sessions season three, head here. Watch the official season three trailer below.

The Montana Sessions – Season 3 Trailer

[Video: 4:08 Productions]