Under the Big Sky continues with our third episode. We travel to a former ice storage facility in Bozeman where songwriters connect with audiences in an intimate setting, a manufacturing facility in Billings where a Veteran Marine creates military grade bags and luggage for the consumer market and to a co-working space in Missoula where conversations about parenting have given rise to “America’s Best parenting magazine”.

Jason Wickens and Doc Wiley are the heart and soul behind Live from the Divide, an independently produced hour long public radio program and live music venue whose mission is to advocate for songwriters of American roots music. Through the platform of public radio they connect the authentic voice of artists to an appreciative listening audience.

Red Oxx Manufacturing in Billings, MT is an American manufacturing company which produces travel luggage. The company was founded in 1986 by Jim Markel Sr., a retired Green Beret Captain, and was joined by his son Jim Markel Jr. and Perry Jones, also retired military parachute riggers. In the U.S., the products have won a ‘National Award for Luggage’. Also, the Red Oxx Safari Beano bag was Outside Magazine’s 2004 Bag of the Year

Elke Govertsen, inspired by here own experience and the experiences of those around her founded Mamalode, a quarterly magazine and content company that provides parents with a clearinghouse of resources, support, inspiration and connection. In 2009, Mamalode published their first edition magazine. Web, video, podcasts, live events followed, and their audience grew from local to national within a year. Mamalode now has a library with: over 4000 stories from over 1000 writers and the ability to build multi-platform conversations and establish real connections.

All of these stories will be featured in Episode 3 of Under the Big Sky coming in early April. Tune in Sunday nights in Montana during the 10pm News, Monday Montana This Morning and the News at Noon for previews of upcoming stories, bonus content and info on episode air dates.

Under the Big Sky is a 30-minute storytelling series featuring interesting people, businesses and stories that are found across Montana.  All segments and stories are available at www.underthebigsky.wpengine.com

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The Montana Television Network includes: KRTV (Great Falls), KXLH (Helena), KTVQ (Billings), KXLF (Butte), KBZK (Bozeman), KPAX (Missoula), KAJ (Kalispell), KTVH (Great Falls/Helena).