The faith-based picture about a rocker-turned-gospel singer rolls out at movie theaters starting tonight.
Southern Gospel tells the true story of Samuel Allen, a 1960s rock musician whose destructive lifestyle led him to jail and an uncertain future. The movie follows Allen's journey to faith and stars Max Ehrich, a former cast member of the soap opera The Young and the Restless where he was a four-time Emmy Award nominee.
Himself a musician as well as an actor, the New Jersey native knew what to expect on the music front, but the film had an unexpected impact on his faith, with him actually getting baptized in real life after a baptism scene involving his character, as we reported here. Ehrich tells The Christian Post that the project brought him "closer to Jesus, closer to God."
"I feel like I've always been a man of faith, but I think it's gotten to such a deeper level of what I think my purpose is and how I can use this industry and my platform to continue to spread the Good Word."
Though the protagonist is involved in substance abuse and harbors anger toward organized religion early in the film, this production ultimately tells a hopeful story of "a man overcoming brokeness and never surrendering the dream on his journey to find the gospel...Southern Gospel," as the synopsis puts it. The 31-year-old Ehrich, who stars opposite Katelyn Nacon and Gary Weeks, says the movie ranks as the "favorite project (he's) ever done," and represents the kind he would like to pursue in the future.
"I would love to continue to do projects that have a strong, positive message and leave my mark in this world as someone that's using my artistry and my platform for good. I really, really love this film."
As we mentioned, Southern Gospel releases in some locations tonight and opens everywhere tomorrow. You can find a theater in your area and buy tickets via this link to the movie's website. And check out the trailer below for a better feel of what to expect.
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