Terrence Howard To Play Charley Pride

(AP)  "Hustle & Flow" director Craig Brewer says he and Terrence Howard are working on a movie biography of country singer Charley Pride.

Howard got an Oscar nomination for his work in Brewer's "Hustle & Flow," portraying a pimp who longs to be a rap artist.

Howard will portray Pride in the new movie, Brewer told The Commercial Appeal of Memphis.

Pride, who was born poor in Sledge, Miss., played baseball for the Memphis Red Socks of the Negro American League before beginning his career as a country singer in Nashville in the 1960s.

Many of Pride's No. 1 hits, including "Kiss An Angel Good Morning," are considered country music classics.

Brewer said he has been discussing the movie project with Pride for several months. Howard, a guitar player and country music fan, came up with the idea, Brewer said.

"Everybody's been speculating as to what my and Terrence's next project would be, and I'm ecstatic that this came out of Terrence's passion," Brewer said. "Charley Pride is a character, man."