LOS ANGELES, Calif. – GRAMMY®-winning American Idol and Alabama native Taylor Hicks lends his musical talent to STARS FELL ON ALABAMA, set for release on-demand and digital on January 8, 2021. Hicks appears as himself in the film and performs “Porch Swing” from his upcoming album as well as a cover of The All-American Rejects’ “Gives You Hell.” The latter will be released on music platforms along with Hicks’ new version of the jazz standard “Stars Fell on Alabama” on release day.
Deadline exclusively announced that Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired world-wide rights to VW Scheich’s STARS FELL ON ALABAMA. The romantic comedy also stars Big Time Rush’s James Maslow, Ciara Hanna (Devil’s Revenge/ TV’s “Power Rangers Megaforce”) and Zebedee Row (Ghost in the Graveyard). STARS FELL ON ALABAMA follows successful Hollywood agent Bryce Dixon returning to Alabama for the first time in 15 years for his high school reunion. When he learns he’s the only one of his friends who isn’t married with children, he convinces his client, starlet Madison Belle, to pretend to be his girlfriend. But he soon learns that success has different meanings, and romance may be closer than he thinks.
The film was directed by VW Scheich and written by Robert Windom. The film was produced by Jeffrey Allard and VW Scheich and executive produced by Uyen Le, Douglas Vetter, and Robert Windom. The deal was negotiated by Peter Goldwyn on behalf of Samuel Goldwyn Films and Uyen Le on behalf of the filmmakers. “I’m thrilled to work with Samuel Goldwyn Films to share this feel-good movie with audiences everywhere. Getting the opportunity to collaborate with this amazing cast and crew to tell this heartfelt story – which is a love letter to the South – is an experience I’ll never forget,” says Director/Producer VW Scheich.
Since winning “American Idol’s” record-breaking season five finale, Hicks has gone on to achieve RIAA®-certified Platinum status, win a GRAMMY® and secure a prestigious Las Vegas residency. Hicks’ theatrical and television roles include touring as Teen Angel in the popular Broadway musical “Grease,” starring as Charlie Anderson in the Serenbe Playhouse production of “Shenandoah” in addition to appearing on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting the INSP series “State Plate.”
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ABOUT TAYLOR HICKS:
For Taylor Hicks, winning “American Idol’s” blockbuster fifth season was just the beginning. Hailed as “part Stax, part Motown and part honky-tonk” by The New York Times, Hicks’ intoxicating blend of soul, blues, country, and rock & roll quickly rendered him a household name as he progressed to the show’s record-breaking finale in 2006, an historic television event which drew an audience of more than 200 million viewers. Hicks immediately followed his Idol victory with a No. 1 Billboard single and an RIAA®-certified Platinum debut, and soon went on to make history as both the first male Idol champion featured on a GRAMMY-winning record (Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Blow Your Pants Off’), and the first to land a prestigious Las Vegas residency. A versatile artist, actor and advocate, Hicks has since ventured into theater and television, touring as Teen Angel in the popular Broadway musical “Grease” in addition to appearing on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting the INSP series “State Plate,” which won the Cynopsis TV Award for Best Reality Series (Travel). After a lengthy hiatus from recording, Hicks returned in 2017 with “Six Strings and Diamond Rings,” the first single since his beloved 2009 sophomore album, “The Distance.” The stirring, stripped-down track offers up a tantalizing preview of Hicks’ highly anticipated third album, a deeply personal, roots-inspired collection recorded at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground studio in Nashville with contributions from four-time GRAMMY®-winning musician Keb’ Mo as well as Robert Randolph.
ABOUT SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS:
Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independently owned and operated motion-picture company that develops, produces and distributes innovative feature films and documentaries.
The company is dedicated to working with both world-renowned and emerging writers/filmmakers and committed to filmed entertainment that offers original voices in uniquely told stories. This is best exemplified by the Academy Award® nominated SUPER SIZE ME; Sundance winner GOOK written and directed by Justin Chon; the critically acclaimed feature debut by Francis Lee GOD’S OWN COUNTRY; SXSW winner MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND; Warwick Thornton’s Australian western SWEET COUNTRY starring Sam Neill, Bryan Brown, and Hamilton Morris; the Wim Wenders film, starring James McAvoy and Academy Award winner® Alicia Vikander, SUBMERGENCE; A BOY A GIRL A DREAM starring Omari Hardwick and Meagan Good, and Ondi Timoner’s bio-pic MAPPLETHORPE starring Matt Smith’;; the Karen Gillan & David Dastmalchian lead film ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW; Sci-Fi/Fantasy PARADISE HILLS starring Emma Roberts; the horror/thriller film starring Patrick Schwarzenegger and Miles Robbins DANIEL ISN’T REAL; the road-trip comedy COME AS YOU ARE; the dark-comedy JUDY & PUNCH; action packed Scott Adkins lead film DEBT COLLECTORS; MR. JONES starring James Norton, Vanessa Kirby, and Peter Sarsgaard. the sea shanty true story FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS; and Australian romance DIRT MUSIC. Upcoming releases include the epic drama WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS starring Academy Award® winner Mark Rylance, Academy Award® nominee Johnny Depp, and Robert Pattinson; the Hugo Weaving lead MEASURE FOR MEASURE; ETERNAL BEAUTY starring Academy Award® Nominee Sally Hawkins; family film H IS FOR HAPPINESS; FROM THE VINE starring Joe Pantoliano; and LGBTQ+ teen comedy DATING AMBER.
For further information, please contact: Lew Dryfoos / Samuel Goldwyn Films / [email protected] / 310-432-7066 Ryan Boring / Samuel Goldwyn Films / [email protected] / 310-860-3113.
