Keeping up with Johnathan Rice

BURBANK, CA (Warner Bros.) - Vocalist and songwriter Johnathan Rice, whose debut Reprise Records release "Trouble Is Real" will be scheduled for release shortly, has been front and center recently in a number of high-profile projects, both in studio, on stage and in front of the camera.

First up comes news that Rice will be playing the role of rock legend Roy Orbison in "Walk The Line," the upcoming film biography of Johnny Cash. Directed by James Mangold ("Girl, Interrupted") and starring Joaquin Phoenix as Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter, "Walk The Line" will be shot in Memphis this summer with music supervision by T-Bone Burnett ("Oh Brother, Where Art Thou," "Cold Mountain.") Burnett and Rice will record a version of "You're My Baby," written by Cash and originally recorded by Orbison to be included in the film.

While the shooting schedule for "Walk The Line" will keep Rice off the road for a short time, he will finish up his current tour supporting Rachel Yamagata, ending on July 1 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Rice will return to L.A. to headline the Hotel Café in Hollywood on Monday, July 12, 19 and 26. Set times are at 10:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, word of mouth about the young artist is rapidly spreading even before the release of his major-label debut. Elle Magazine singled out his "Delicately weathered voice and unpretentious guitar work," while the New York Daily News was enthralled with his "Flinty songs that beam with lunar mystery," and the Boston Globe called him, simply, "Captivating."

Those who can't wait to hear what everyone is talking about can preview Rice's distinctive music on "Extended Player - 24:26," a special six-song EP featuring selected tracks from "Trouble Is Real" and available at Rice's concerts, online and through the Independent Coalition record stores. Additionally, "Tin Can Love: The Demo Recordings," exclusive live tracks and more are available at: www.johnathanrice.com and other online music stores.