Kevin Costner's Field of Country Dreams

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Kevin Costner & Modern West's 2008 CD, Untold Truths. Photo courtesy of Universal Republic/Universal Records South.


Oct. 1, 2008 — When Kevin Costner appeared this summer in the movie Swing Vote, the picture included one scene that featured his little-known side project, a band called Modern West.

Now Kevin and crew have their first album on the way, with Untold Truths slated for release Nov. 11. The seeds for Modern West were sewn two decades ago when Kevin met fellow actor-musician John Coinman at an acting workshop. They started a band called Roving Boy but had little time to devote to it. Eventually Kevin felt the tug of music more intensely, particularly after Modern West did a show in August 2005.

"I remember looking out into the crowd, thinking ‘this just feels right,’" he says.

Kevin has co-writing credits on six of the album’s 12 tracks, all of which were penned by John Coinman. Four songs are being sent to country radio stations this week, and Kevin plans to hit the road later this year and tour into the first part of 2009.

Kevin’s not the only actor making his presence felt in country. Billy Bob Thornton and his band, the Boxmasters, have been tabbed to host the All For The Hall benefit concert in New York on Oct. 15. Previously announced performers for the concert — which raises money for the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum — include Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Rodney Crowell.

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