Billy Ray Cyrus to Star in Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie

Actor/country singer Billy Ray Cyrus will be starring in the upcoming Hallmark Channel holiday film, entitled "Christmas in Canaan."

According to an article on HollywoodReporter.com, "The telefilm, slated to air in December, is based on a novel co-written by another country star/actor, Kenny Rogers, and Donald Davenport."

The movie is set in 1960s Texas and its plot revolves around the unlikely friendship that evolves between two boys, one who is white and the other who is black, as they bond over their mutual concern for an injured puppy.

Zak Ludwig, who starred in the 2007 John Cusack drama, "Martian Child," plays DJ, the white boy, and Jaishon Fisher, who starred in the 2008 Samuel L. Jackson thriller, "Lakeview Terrace," plays Rodney, the black boy.

The HollywoodReporter.com article goes on to say, "Cyrus plays DJ's dad, who, with Rodney's grandmother, concocts the puppy plan after the boys get into a schoolyard tussle."

While Davenport wrote the script, the story was a product of Rogers. Neill Fearnley is directing the project. Fearnley previously directed several episodes of "1-800-Missing," the Lifetime drama series, which aired between 2003 and 2006 and starred ex-"ER" cast member Gloria Reuben.

Shooting on "Christmas in Canaan" has already begun in Vancouver.