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Every couple of months, at a venue somewhere in Michigan – the Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City, say, or the State Theater in Bay City, the singer Judy Harrison will head backstage to her dressing room, and begin her transformation.

She fixes her make-up. She puts on a black fringed top, a black skirt, big belt and cowboy boots. Over her own long, light hair, she places the short, black wig she bought from a professional wig store in town, and runs her fingers through its faint waves.

“The wig is truly the thing that takes you there,” Harrison says via video call. “The very first time I did this, I walked out with the wig on, and I don’t know if the band knew who I was. I was so different to them, it was like they weren’t even looking at Judy.”

For four years now, Harrison...

Joni James, a popular singer in the 1950s who scored several pre-rock hits including “Why Don’t You Believe Me?” and “How Important Can It Be?” and continued to chart throughout the decade, has died. She was 91.

James’ son, Michael Acquaviva, told The Washington Post that she died February 20 of natural causes in West Palm Beach, Fl.

Born Giavanna Carmello Babbo on September 22, 1930, in Chicago, James was working as a dancer by age 12 and toured in Canada in the late 1940s. She also was modeling by high school. After pivoting to music, she first recorded for Sharp Records before moving to MGM.

James was 22 when her first hit topped the U.S. chart. Her version of “Why Don’t You Believe Me?” spent three weeks at the summit in December 1952, starting a run of eight Top 20 singles in 1952-53 including the Top 10 hits “Almost Always” “Have You Heard?” and a...

Brandi Carlile, Cyndi Lauper, Cynthia Erivo, Yola and Laurie Anderson will be among the stars paying tribute to honorees like John Prine, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Philip Glass, Chicago and Philip Glass in “Great Performances: Grammy Salute to Music Legends,” set to air Oct. 16 on PBS.

The annual special, now in its fifth year, offers a fuller celebration of the Recording Academy’s lifetime achievement winners, after they are acknowledged earlier in the year in passing at the Grammys. The show is usually recorded before a live audience, but this year’s, of course, will be filmed with the participating stars in remote locations.

Other performers on tap for the show include Chris Isaak, the duo of Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, Sam Moore, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Philip Bailey. Additional honorees include Roberta Flack, Isaac Hayes, mid-20th-century talent agent Frank Walker and the 40-year executive producer of the Grammy Awards telecast,...

Long after the music faded out, she can still hear the hateful words. The year was 1969, and Linda Martell hoped to become one of country music’s breakthrough acts. She had a single on the charts, an album on the way, and the backing of a Nashville industry player. The next step was to play live, and her newly hired booking agent secured a gig in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to work out her stage show.

Martell had a warm smile, a stylish beehive, and a way with country phrasing, as heard on that hit single,...

Miranda Lambert is back onstage doing her thing, this time as a married woman again. The 35-year-old country star appeared as a surprise guest at Dierks Bentley's concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Friday, less than a week after she revealed online that she had gotten married, and introduced her husband, NYPD officer Brendan McLoughlin, who her fans had never seen with her before. At Friday's concert, Lambert and Bentley were jointed by Keith Urban onstage, where they all performed a an acoustic medley of country classics, which included Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart" and the Dixie Chicks' "Cowboy Take Me Away," according...

There has been no shortage of country music biopics, with Loretta Lynn ("Coal Miner's Daughter"), Patsy Cline ("Sweet Dreams"), Hank Williams ("Your Cheatin' Heart," the upcoming "I Saw The Light"), and Johnny Cash ("Walk The Line") among those getting the big screen treatment. And another project is brewing that could bring two more legends to the multiplex. On a recent stop on "Conan," Josh Brolin revealed that he'll star in a movie with Jessica Chastain about George Jones and Tammy Wynette. "I have a bit of a past and when they were trying to figure out who might be best able to best play George Jones, they thought, ‘What about Brolin? Who’s been to jail in the last 10 years? Let’s pick Brolin!’” the actor quipped. Read More: Review: Coen Brothers' 'Hail, Caesar!' Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, And More “I’m gonna do that with Jessica Chastain,...

After terrorizing Earth's Mightiest Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tom Hiddleston takes on the role of a lifetime in the upcoming biopic I Saw the Light. After the first look photo released back in August, Sony Pictures Classics, via Entertainment Weekly, has released the first trailer. I Saw the Light is set for a limited release on March 25, 2016, going up against Warner Bros.' Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Universal's My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.

I Saw the Light tells the story of the legendary country western singer Hank Williams, who in his brief life created one of the greatest bodies of work in American music. The film chronicles his meteoric rise to fame and its ultimately tragic effect on his health and personal life. The beloved singer died at the age of 29 in 1953, but not before leaving a legacy of hit songs such as "Your Cheatin' Heart...

Tinseltown took over Music City this past weekend, with the glitzy premiere of the highly anticipated Hank Williams biopic, I Saw the Light. Stars of the big-screen adaptation of the book, Hank Williams: The Biography by Colin Escott, George Merritt and William Macewen, walked the red carpet (which, for the record, was actually green), as invited guests filled the twin theaters at Nashville's historic Belcourt theater. British actor Tom Hiddleston turns in a career-defining role as the troubled singer-songwriter, whose influence is seen not only in nearly every country artist who came after him,...

A cowboy hat makes the delightful Marvel favourite Tom Hiddleston even more charming in a first-look picture from I Saw the Light.

The biopic tells the tragic life story of country music legend Hank Williams, who is played by Avengers star Hiddleston.

I Saw the Light follows the 'Your Cheatin' Heart' singer on his meteoric rise to fame through to his sudden descent at the hands of alcoholism.

Hiddleston's main co-star in the biopic will be fellow Marvel veteran Elizabeth Olsen as the singer's long-suffering wife and duet partner Audrey Sheppard Williams.

David Krumholtz, Bradley Whitford and Maddie Hasson have supporting roles in I Saw the Light as those encountered by Williams on his travels.

Williams is one of the rare artists to become a member in the Country Music, Songwriters and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame.

I Saw the Light - which is directed by Air Force...

Sony Pictures Classics has released the first look photo of Tom Hiddleston as celebrated country music singer Hank Williams in the upcoming biopic I Saw the Light. With the debut of this photo, the first movie trailer could be just around the corner, so be sure to stay tuned for that. When Tom Hiddleston signed on to star last year, the producers also secured the rights to Hank Williams entire music library for use in the film.

I Saw the Light tells the story of the legendary country western singer Hank Williams, who in his brief life created one of the greatest bodies of work in American music. The film chronicles his meteoric rise to fame and its ultimately tragic effect on his health and personal life. The singer, whose hits songs include "Your Cheatin' Heart", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Hey Good Lookin," passed away at the...

Rex Ingram in 'The Thief of Bagdad' 1940 with tiny Sabu. Actor Rex Ingram movies on TCM: Early black film performer in 'Cabin in the Sky,' 'Anna Lucasta' It's somewhat unusual for two well-known film celebrities, whether past or present, to share the same name.* One such rarity is – or rather, are – the two movie people known as Rex Ingram;† one an Irish-born white director, the other an Illinois-born black actor. Turner Classic Movies' “Summer Under the Stars” continues today, Aug. 11, '15, with a day dedicated to the latter. Right now, TCM is showing Cabin in the Sky (1943), an all-black musical adaptation of the Faust tale that is notable as the first full-fledged feature film directed by another Illinois-born movie person, Vincente Minnelli. Also worth mentioning, the movie marked Lena Horne's first important appearance in a mainstream motion picture.§ A financial disappointment on the...

The big-screen retelling of the life of country music icon Hank Williams has secured a release date, just in time for awards season. Sony Pictures Classics has announced that I Saw the Light will bow in movie theaters on Black Friday, November 27th.

English actor Tom Hiddleston will play the lead role and do his own singing in the film. His previous screen credits include the role of Loki in a trio of Marvel films: Thor, The Avengers and Thor: The Dark World. He also portrayed novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald...

Thor is going country.

TheWrap reports that Chris Hemsworth will produce and star in the movie based on Steve Earle's book, I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive. The 2011 novel by the Grammy-winning country star tells a fictional tale of Toby "Doc" Ebersole, the physician accused of giving Hank Williams a fatal dose of morphine. Ten years after the country music pioneer's death, his doctor is without a license and is supporting his own morphine habit by performing illegal abortions. Feeding his addiction further, Ebersole is haunted by Williams' ghost.

Elizabeth Olsen has signed on to star alongside Tom Hiddleston in the Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light. Tom Hiddleston signed on to play the country music legend back in June

The story is adapted from the 1994 book Hank Williams: A Biography, by Colin Escott, George Merritt and William MacEwen. Elizabeth Olsen is playing the singer's wife, Audrey Mae Williams. The producers have obtained the rights to Hank Williams' songs, such as hits "Your Cheatin' Heart," "I"m So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Hey Good Lookin'", which will be sung by Tom Hiddleston himself.

Born in 1923, Alabama native Hank Williams' music career took off after World War II with his first hit, "Move It On Over." He struggled with addictions to alcohol and prescription medication, while suffering from spina biffida, before passing away at the age of 29 due to heart failure.

Marc Abraham is directing from his own adapted screenplay,...

Scarlet Witch and Loki are teaming up: Elizabeth Olsen is set to join Tom Hiddleston in the upcoming Hank Williams biopic "I Saw the Light."

Olsen will join her Marvel Universe compatriot as Williams's wife, Audrey Mae, in the film, based on a 1994 biography of the legendary country singer. Hiddleston, who will also perform music as Williams, has already displayed his country crooning chops; it's unclear if Olsen will sing in the flick, too.

"I Saw the Light" is set to feature a number of Williams's biggest hits, including "Move It On Over," "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "Hey Good Lookin'." It will tell the story of his rise to fame post-World War II, and his death at age 29 while suffering from spina bifida, alcoholism, and drug addiction.

Production is expected to start in October in Louisiana. Marc Abraham is writing and directing.

[via: Variety]

Photo credit: Getty Images...

The grandson of honky tonk legend Hank Williams says his family's blood runs red, white and blue ... and that's why only a true American should ever play Hank in a movie.Hank Williams III tells TMZ ... producers cookin' up a Hank biopic blew it when they cast British actor Tom Hiddleston to play the legendary country crooner. Hiddleston's best known for his role as Loki in "The Avengers."Hank Sr. -- known for hits like...

Tom Hiddleston is going country.

The British actor and "Avengers" star is gearing up to play country legend Hank Williams, according to Deadline.

Tom will take on the country star, beginning this October in Louisiana, for the film, "I Saw The Light."

Photos: The Marvelous Tom Hiddleston

According to Deadline, the actor will perform (sing) some of Hank's classic tunes including, "Hey Good Lookin'" and "Your Cheatin' Heart."

Singer/songwriter Hank died in 1953, at just 29 years of age.

-- Jolie Lash

Copyright 2014 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.

This material ...

First they took our American superheroes, and now they're after our country music legends, too? British thesp Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers) is set to play American music icon Hank Williams in the biopic I Saw The Light. The film will be directed by Marc Abraham (Flash of Genius), and will be based on Colin Escott's "Hank Williams: The Biography."

Hiddleston is best known for his work as Loki in the Marvel movies, but has also had diverse roles in films like War Horse, and Midnight in Paris directed by Steven Spielberg and Woody Allen, respectively. The actor has all ready taken to twitter to give us our first official glimpse of him as Williams- the singer-songwriter responsible for classics such as "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."

I Saw The Light. pic.twitter.com/LBSiP5tBVb

— Tom Hiddleston (@twhiddleston) June 13, 2014

I Saw The Light...

Tom Hiddleston is going country, y'all! E! News has confirmed that the famous British actor has been chosen to portray iconic country crooner Hank Williams in the biopic I Saw the Light, which will chronicle Williams' triumphant rise to fame and its ultimately tragic effect on his personal life and his health (Williams died at the young age of 29 due to heart failure). Additionally, Hiddleston will actually be lending his own vocals for the film! The hot ginger celeb will sing from the entire Williams catalog—including hits "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Hey Good Lookin'" and "Your Cheatin' Heart"—after the rights were secured through a deal with Sony...

According to Deadline, Avengers star Tom Hiddleston will star as Hank Williams in I Saw The Light, Marc Abraham's biopic about the iconic country and western star. The film will chronicle Williams' rise to fame and his tragic death at the age of 29, and will feature Hiddleston singing classic Williams songs such as "Your Cheatin' Heart," I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Hey Good Lookin." Choosing a British actor to portray Alabama's so-called "Hillbilly Shakespeare" may seem questionable to some, but based on Hiddleston's diverse achievements in the genres of hipster-vampire rock, pirate sea shanties and vehicular karaoke, we're confident he'll be able to nail a country twang.

In a radical departure from his villainous turn as Loki in Marvel's The Avengers and Thor: The Dark World, Tom Hiddleston has signed on to play country music legend Hank Williams in the biopic I Saw the Light.

The story will chart Hank Williams' speedy rise to fame and fortune, and the toll it took on his personal life. The musician, best known for hit songs such as "Your Cheatin' Heart", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Hey Good Lookin," passed away at the age of 29 from heart failure.

Marc Abraham is directing from his own screenplay, which was adapted from Colin Escott's biography. Brett Ratner and Aaron L. Gilbert are producing for RatPac Entertainment, alongside Marc Abraham and G. Marq Roswell. The producers also made a deal with Sony Atv for the rights to Hank Williams' entire music catalog for use in the film. Production...

Tom Hiddleston is on tap to play one of the greatest American music icons, Hank Williams. Named for one of Williams' best known songs, "I Saw the Light" will see the British actor trying on a deep South accent and tackling tunes from the Williams songbook. The British actor has risen to fame in recent years for his delicious turn as Loki in the "Thor" films, for dancing on command, and co-starring as a storied and tortured musician in one of 2014's best films "Only Lovers Left Alive." Williams, on the other hand, rose to fame in his teens and died at 29 of complications due to his raging alcoholism and drug abuse, leave behind a rep of at least three dozen country, blues and gospel originals and renditions one could easily qualify as stone-cold classics. The singer/songwriter's fabled death alone could fill volumes (or at least a 90-minute film...

CBS aired its annual "Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials" special Wednesday (Jan. 29), with a countdown of the Top 10 ads as voted on by fans, plus other fan-favorites that didn't make the cut. Each entrant in the Top 10 was from a different category, like beer, cars, crazy or sexy commercials.

The Top 10 were revealed to be the ones below, which we can't help but question. First off, how come only one commercial was older than 2006? Secondly, really? Really?! These are your picks? What about the kid as Darth Vader for Volkswagen? What about Cindy Crawford or Britney Spears for Pepsi? What about Apple's 1984?

What do you think of the choices?

10. CareerBuilder.com 2010, Casual Fridays

9. Budweiser 2006, streaker

8. Taco Bell 2013, "We Are Young"

7. Best Buy 2013, Amy Poehler

6. Cars.com 2013, wolves

5. E-Trade 2008, spit-up

4. Victoria's Secret 2008, in the mood for love

3. Careerbuilder.com, 2006, monkey business

2. Pepsi 1996, "Your Cheatin' Heart"

1. Doritos 2013, princess party...

Jj Abrams is lined up to make a biopic of the cyclist. Send us your front covers, titles, soundtrack and casting suggestions

Lance Armstrong's life is to be dramatised on the big screen. Jj Abrams is set to direct a movie that will take its lead from the forthcoming book Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong by New York Times reporter Juliet Macur.

Abrams did a decent job with Star Trek and Super 8, but we're here to help him out with some suggestions. We want to know your ideas for the film title, tagline, soundtrack and cast members. If you're feeling very creative, email us a mocked-up front cover to gallery@guardian.co.uk and we'll publish the best responses.

Some of your best suggestions

Pinocchio

There Will Be Blood Transfusions

Lord of the Syringes

Fear and Loathing in Le Mans

Epo Brother Where Art Thou...

Welcome back to American Idol, where the auditions have moved to Chicago and eager contestants are patiently waiting for a chance to sing in front of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson – you know, if he happens to be in the room. The second episode of Idol's 12th season kicks off with someone in the graphics department showing off the Batman-style Pow! Boom! Bam! signs they brilliantly plastered over footage of Nicki and Mariah bickering.

Today, Nicki is greeting the contestants wearing a leopard-print bus driver uniform,...

A few notes before we begin.

1) Get out your VHS of Paris Is Burning, because I just realized Nicki Minaj talks exactly like Venus Xtravaganza. I'm always expecting her to shout, "Touch this skin! Touch all of this skin!" at Mariah, who might just be Dorian Corey.

2) Keith Urban is living proof that most country stars dress like they're in a 2001 Matchbox 20 video.

3) Randy Jackson is still a cauldron of nothing.

Moving along! Idol's second day of season 12 auditions was damn fruitful, as 16 acts won Hollywood tickets and I didn't truly hate any of them. Can you believe it? I am filled with true hatred, and I had nowhere to displace it. In fact, the one auditioner who seemed like an obvious burnout turned out to be most provocative and cool singer of the competition so far. Let's visit with her first, shall we?

1. Kezban Sauerbier: Weird. And Thank God.

During our exclusive interview with Robert Buckley last month, the actor said he and Shantel VanSanten grew close because each were new to One Tree Hill.

Now, it appears though the same can be said for their characters, as Clay and Quinn bond during Monday night's episode, "Your Cheatin Heart."

Click on the images below from the new installment and let us know what you think of these two together:

Also, check out a clip from this episode and remember to visit TV Fanatic each week for the latest One Tree Hill quotes, photos and more!

Your Cheatin' Heart Clip...

"One Tree Hill" episode 5 of season 7 is up next on the CW. The show is entitled, "Your Cheatin' Heart," and we've got a few spoilers,along with a promo for the episode, after the jump. In "Your Cheatin' Heart," Haley will be thrust into the spotlight and storm of Nathan's growing scandal by getting arrested for assault and battery. Brooke will go against her better judgement and allow Julian to continue working with her model, Alex ( Jana Kramer).Alex will continue to flirt with Julian.

Next week, "One Tree Hill" will still be circling around the scandal involving Nathan but a solution is coming from one person. Dan makes a call to Nathan to tell him that he has come to knowledge about the problem he faces. Nathan, still unwilling to accept Dan, said "We don't know you and stay away from me and my family." Later on Dan takes the matter into his own hands by meeting Renee and giving her a proposition.

Meanwhile, Haley is thrust into the spotlight and storm of Nathan's growing scandal, and is seen in the preview getting arrested. Against her better judgment, Brooke allows Julian to continue working with Alex. Millicent gets a new job, which may cause trouble for Mouth. Meanwhile, Clay and Quinn grow closer.

The episode called "Your Cheatin' Heart" is going to air on Monday, October 12. Kate French guest stars as Renee.

The elusive movie magic worked for Johnny Cash in the Oscar-winning "Walk the Line," now, Nashville-based 821 Entertainment Group and Strike Entertainment teamed up to give us a feature film based on the life and times of country music legend Hank Williams.

Marc Abraham ("Flash of Genius") will write the script and Universal is getting a first look at the project.

The production gets the blessing from Hank Williams estate including his most memorable songs such as "Cold, Cold Heart," "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."

Williams, one of the most influential country music singer-songwriters, had a gripping but emotionally-rich life story. After growing up poor during the Depression, Williams found fame with 11 No. 1 hits!

Then Williams turned to alcohol and morphine for pain relief due to his spina bifida. He died in 1953. He was 29.

Abraham will be using the book, "Hank Williams: The Biography" by Colin Escott for inspiration.

821 Entertainment Group and Strike Entertainment have teamed to turn the life of country music icon Hank Williams into a feature film. Strike Entertainment partner Marc Abraham will write the script. The package includes cooperation with the Hank Williams estate that gives the production use of his most memorable recordings. Also, 821 has optioned the rights to "Hank Williams: The Biography," a book by Colin Escott that is being used as a resource by Abraham. Williams ranks high among the most influential country music singer/songwriters, and he lived a life as hard as any character in a country song. After growing up dirt poor in Alabama during the Depression, Williams skyrocketed to fame with 11 No. 1 hits, including classics "Cold, Cold Heart," "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Williams also suffered from spina bifida, which led him to turn to alcohol and morphine for pain relief. Haunted by demons and bad habits,...

Nashville-based 821 Entertainment Group and Strike Entertainment have teamed to turn the life of country music icon Hank Williams into a feature film, report the trades. Marc Abraham, a Strike Entertainment partner, will pen the screenplay. Williams ranks high among the most influential country music singer-songwriters, and he lived a life as hard as any character in a country song. After growing up dirt poor in Alabama during the Depression, Williams skyrocketed to fame with 11 No. 1 hits, including classics "Cold, Cold Heart," "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Williams also suffered from spina bifida, which led him to turn to alcohol and morphine for pain relief. Haunted by demons and bad habits, Williams died in 1953 at age 29. On one side of the estate is singer Hank Williams Jr., and on the other is Jett Williams, the illegitimate daughter of the late singer, born days after he died.

Nashville-based 821 Entertainment Group has joined with Strike Entertainment to develop a film based on the life of country music icon Hank Williams.

According to Variety, Strike Entertainment partner Marc Abraham will write the script. The 821 banner will finance development and most likely production, with Universal getting first crack at the project through its first-look deal with Strike partners Abraham and Eric Newman.

The package includes cooperation with the Hank Williams estate that gives the production use of his most memorable recordings. Also, 821 has optioned the rights to "Hank Williams: The Biography," a book by Colin Escott that is being used as a resource by Abraham. Escott will be associate producer.

Williams ranks high among the most influential country music singer-songwriters, and he lived a life as hard as any character in a country song. After growing up dirt poor in Alabama during the Depression, Williams skyrocketed to fame with 11 No.