Rising country music star Noeline Hofmann released the official music video for her rendition of “The Bullfight” written and performed by Luke Bell. The video, featuring Hofmann and two-time BFO World Champion Bullfighter Tyler Mansell, is available to watch and share online.
Watch “The Bullfighter” performed by Noeline Hofmann
“To be scared half to death, or all alone, or run ragged, or knocked down into the dirt but you get up and do it anyway, face it head on, allow your determination to outweigh your fear, never let up, follow your truth, make art of a battle – that’s bravery,” Hofmann said. “Perseverance. Grit. Cowboy. That’s ‘The Bullfighter.’ ‘The Bullfighter’ has become a friend of mine, a shot of courage when I’ve needed it the most. “
The video release coincides with the announcement of Hofmann’s extensive headline tour, with stops in cities including Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Chicago, and Boise. Additionally, she will join Turnpike Troubadours, Colter Wall, and 49 Winchester for select dates.
Hofmann grew up in a small town in Southern Alberta, Canada, near the Montana border. She has achieved significant recognition at just 21 years old, including winning Video of the Year, Horizon Female Artist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year at the 14th Annual Alberta Country Music Awards. She has also been named an Amazon Music “Artist to Watch,” an Apple Music Canada “Up Next Artist,” and a Shazam “Fast Forward Artist.”
Her song “Purple Gas” caught the attention of country music star Zach Bryan, who asked Hofmann to record it as a duet for his new album, “The Great American Bar Scene,” marking the first time Bryan has recorded another artist’s work.
Watch “Purple Gas” by Noeline Hofmann & Zach Bryan
Luke Bell, born in 1990 in Lexington, Kentucky, began his musical journey playing in local bars while in college. He self-produced his debut album in 2012 in Austin, Texas, then moved to Cody, Wyoming, where he wrote and recorded his second album, “Don’t Mind If I Do”, in 2014. By 2016, Bell had settled in Nashville and released another self-titled album.
Bell’s early career showed great promise, with some comparing his potential to that of Sturgill Simpson or Tyler Childers. He opened for notable acts like Dwight Yoakam, Hank Williams Jr., and Willie Nelson, and his 2016 album, released through Thirty Tigers, was met with critical acclaim. However, his rising career was derailed by his father’s death, which led Bell to withdraw from the public eye. A planned tour following the album release was canceled, and Bell virtually disappeared from the music scene.
In late August 2022, Bell went missing for four days in Tucson, Arizona. He was tragically found dead on August 26. An autopsy report later revealed his cause of death to be an accidental fentanyl overdose.
“I never had the pleasure of meeting Luke Bell before he passed, but from guitar pulls to stages across North America, performing this cover has led me to making dear friendships and hearing stories from those who knew and loved him worth their weight in gold,” Hofman said.
“Luke wrote songs that will last forever. Though my journey is just beginning in many ways, this song has guided me through the sticks so far on my mission to do the same. Recording this cover is my way of honoring Luke’s legacy and his importance to the alternative country genre as well as hopefully, sharing the strength his music has brought me with others,” she said.
