Move over Nashville. There’s another country music-themed series coming to TV — this one a comedy. And it’s got an A-list production team at the helm: actor/musicians Dwight Yoakam and Jack Black.
While it’s unclear whether the duo will also star in the Fox series the storyline has the makings of a hit. The series, called Belles & Whistles, follows an unsatisfied father who moves his family from Silicon Valley to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. The show has an even better chance of catching the eye of viewers if either Yoakam or Black are cast as the lead.
While Yoakam is best known for his extensive career in country music, he’s had his fair share of experience in TV and film. Most recently, the Grammy-winner starred in the second season of CBS drama Under the Dome as barbershop owner Lyle Chumley. He has also appeared in FX’s Wilfred, and played major roles in feature films like Panic Room, Hollywood Homicide, and Sling Blade.Currently on tour to promote his 14th record Second Hand Heart, this will be his first time producing a series.
Black’s legacy in music, film and TV — from Shallow Hal and School of Rock to fronting comedic rock group Tenacious D — is long and storied. He’s currently promoting Goosebumps in which he stars as R.L. Stine, the writer of the spooky kids books. “It’s the thrill that I love the most,” he said to Parade about his career in showbiz. “I’ve been on this ride that’s been really magical. If there were no money? I’d be putting on shows! It has to be a story that’s going to blow people’s minds. Then I don’t care if I get paid for it.”
Alex McAulay (Eastbound and Down) wrote the script for the series. Spencer Berman, of Black’s production company Electric Dynamite, will also executive produce.
While little is know about the bones of the series at this point, we’ll certainly give props to Fox for the title.
