Landman star Billy Bob Thornton has teamed with one of his hit TV show’s co-stars to form a country duo called Backbeat Troubadours.
Their first song pays tribute to race car driver Bobby Rahal.
- Season 3 of Landman (Paramount+) is believed to be slated for the Fall of 2026, although no official timetable has been released.
- Backbeat Troubadours have signed to Big Machine Records, owned by Scott Borchetta.
- The first song is called “True American Racer (500 Miles),” and it features Slash on guitar.
READ MORE: Landman Season 3 – Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Who Are Backbeat Troubadours?
Billy Bob Thornton and Mark Collie form Backbeat Troubadours. It’s hardly the first foray into music for either man.
Collie plays Sheriff Walt Joeberg on Landman. His character has an uneasy friendship with Thornton’s Tommy Norris, mostly because Tommy is often trying to skirt the law.
Country fans may recall Collie’s catalog of early 1990s hits, including “Born to Love You” and “Even the Man on the Moon Is Cryin’.”
He’s continued to release music well into the 2020s.
Thornton has also released several country and country-rock albums, both as a solo artist and as leader of the Boxmasters. They’ve enjoyed niche success nationwide as they produced music and toured for most of 20 years.
This new song is by far his highest profile recording, in part because of what it’s being used for.
Listen To “True American Racer (500 Miles)”
A music video for “True American Racer (500 Miles)” shows Thornton and Collie splitting vocals after a screaming guitar solo. The more famous actor’s voice sounds little like his speaking voice — it’s got more of an ’80s glam edge to it.
The release of this song coincides with the release of an FS1 documentary called Bobby Rahal: True American Racer about Rahal’s life and career. It will also be a part of a soundtrack that includes Riley Green, Brothers Osborne, Mackenzie Carpenter, Danielle Bradbery and Rascal Flatts. Look for that in July.
A press release notes that Collie and Thornton have been making music together for decades.
Last month, Thornton told TV station KSBY that he’s written 18 to 20 country songs and most have been recorded. He and Collie also wrote a song called “Midland After Midnight,” recorded by Flatland Cavalry for the Landman soundtrack.
Country Artists Who Have Tried Acting
It’s not uncommon for country artists to want to expand their entertainment footprint and for many that comes in the form of acting. While many singers has stepped out of their comfort zone to take on an acting role, there are some who were quite good at it.
In fact, there are a handful of country crooners whose names are just as respected in Hollywood as they are in Nashville.
Here’s a list of country singers who have tried their hand at acting.
Gallery Credit: Jess Rose
