Trace Adkins is switching gears from music to film with his role in the new film, I Can Only ImagineBased on the story of MercyMe frontman Bart Millard, Adkins plays Scott Brickell, manger to the Christian music group.

The film tells the story of MercyMe's famous hit, "I Can Only Imagine," which was inspired by the death of Millard's father when he was 18 and the complicated relationship they shared when he was growing up. Adkins' character makes a brief appearance in the trailer for the film, proving to be a faithful support system for Millard, encouraging him to turn his pain into a song.

Brickell has been managing MercyMe since 2001 under his company, BrickHouse Entertainment. The film is directed by Andrew Erwin and stars Dennis Quaid as Millard's father Arthur, while Cloris Leachman plays his grandmother.

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"I Can Only Imagine" became an instant success for the band after its release in 2001, not only making a big impact on Christian radio, but also crossing over into mainstream success, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The track was awarded Song of the Year at the 2002 Dove Awards, where Millard also won Songwriter of the Year. The groundbreaking song is also the only Christian single to be certified double platinum, with sales of more than two million.

Adkins is no stranger to the big screen, appearing in several films over the past 30 years including The Lincoln Lawyer, Deepwater Horizon and Mom's Night Out, the latter of which was also directed by Erwin. I Can Only Imagine opened in theaters on Friday (March 16).

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