Bob Dylan has recorded a cover of Cole Porte’s “Don’t Fence Me In” for the end title credits to the upcoming biopic Reagan, in which Dennis Quad portrays the former actor and U.S. president. Ironically, Quaid is a third cousin of the late Gene Autry, who popularized “Don’t Fence Me In” in the 1940s.
In addition, KISS’ Gene Simmons has taped a new rendition of the 1930s torch song “Stormy Weather,” which will soundtrack a scene between Reagan and his actress wife Jane Wyman in a Hollywood nightclub, while Clint Black’s cover of John Denver’s “Country Roads” closes the movie.
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Tanya Tucker leads a crop of other artists to be announced who will record songs inspired by the film. Directed by Sean McNamara, Reagan hits theaters Aug. 30.
“I was honored to have Bob join our film,” says Quaid. “We gave him the freedom to do any song he wanted to do, whether an original or a cover, and he chose ‘Don’t Fence Me In.’ That was extra special since it was a song that Gene made famous. Bob is a great lover of the American Songbook and we were delighted with the way he delivered the song. He’s a national treasure and was the perfect addition to the film. Gene and Clint were also generous with their time and Tanya has been a friend of many years and I’m thrilled to have her song as well.”
“Every director dreams of having Bob be a part of their work and I’m no exception,” McNamara says of Dylan. “His song helps the viewer understand Reagan’s journey in a deeper way and it gives our film an emotional depth that I’m grateful for.”
“Music has become compartmentalized. Hip-hop over there, country over there, rock over there,” adds Simmons. “I wanted to contribute a song in a style that had wide appeal and reflected the times the movie was set in. This is a movie worth watching.”
Reagan also stars Penelope Ann Miller, Mark Moses, Trevor Donovan, Xander Berkeley, Dan Lauria, Amanda Righetti, C. Thomas Howell, Nick Searcy, Jennifer O’Neill, Justin Chatwin and Robert Davi. It’s the debut film from the recently launched studio ShowBiz Direct.
To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
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