ROCKINGHAM — Bucky Covington is coming to the big screen and plans to release new album later this year.
The former American Idol contestant, who calls both Richmond and Scotland counties home, recently filmed scenes for “Brother’s Keeper,” a drama based on the ‘09 Abilene (Texas) High School football team starring Milo Gibson (son of Mel Gibson) and Laurence Fishburne.
Covington plays an assistant coach on the opposing team, the Longhorns, during the film’s final game.
Although Covington was prepared to cut his golden locks for the role, he said he didn’t have to — because the coach he’s portraying had a ponytail.
His previous acting experience includes being a guitarist in “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” and himself in the TV movie “Billy Ray Cyrus: I’m American” — as well as, he joked, pretending to be his twin brother, Rocky.
When it comes to future on-screen roles, Covington said he’d rather play someone else than appear as himself.
Covington was also in the studio last week recording a song for the movie and had plans to fly out to Minnesota to shoot a music video, which will mix scenes from the film with look-live performance footage.
That song,”Driving in the Dark,” will also be on his upcoming album.
“You know when you meet that girl and you go, ‘Screw it, I’m goin’ for it,’ … it’s about going on with life even though you don’t know the answers,” Covington said about the song.
He plans to release the single with the movie and put out a full six-song album a little later.
Covington and his band will be performing at the film’s premiere March 30 in Abilene.
Covington said the working title of the album is “Feelin’ Pretty Good” — “unless I come up with a better idea between now and then.”
While making the album over the past year, Covington said he’s been to several studios— including Ocean Way Recording in downtown Nashville and studios owned by musicians Chip Davis, Buddy Hyatt and Dale Oliver — “trying to find the sound” he wanted.
Davis, of Mannheim Steamroller, has roots in country as co-writer of the trucker song “Convoy.”
“This guy, he sounds like a choir by himself,” Covington said.
Hyatt is a former touring member of the rock band Toto and Oliver has been a guitarist for Blackhawk, Reba McIntyre and currently plays with The Outlaws.
Covington said the songs are a mixture of classic and new country, and the title track will feature Rocky and bassist/manager Donald “Ducky” Medlock, on backing vocals.
Covington is releasing the album on his own label, Barefootin’ Records. He also wrote and produced every song on the album.
