Garrett Hedlund -- with previous roles in movies 'Troy,' 'Friday Night Lights' and 'Tron' -- shows guitar strumming  skills as Beau Hutton in 'Chances Are,' the theme song for the upcoming flick 'Country Strong.'

Since he had never previously played an instrument before, he had to recruit Neal Casal, a singer-songwriter, photographer and sideman for Ryan Adams. Hedlund spent over four months with Casal in Los Angeles, honing his strumming and plucking skills for his role on the big screen.

Once he relocated to Nashville six months before filming, Hedlund tried out his character and performing talents at bars such as the Nashville's Station Inn. But by watching the video below (including clips from the film), we can tell it's a natural role for the Minnesota native, who grew up listening to Tim McGraw. "I’d find myself walking out of class, singing his songs," Hedlund tells W Magazine. "And then Tim ended up playing my father in 'Friday Night Lights.' It was surreal."

Hedlund plays Nashville country singer Beau Hutton, who's considered for the opening act slot on Kelly Cantor's comeback tour; he later develops onscreen romances with Cantor (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester).

'Country Strong' hits Nashville and Los Angeles theaters today, Dec. 22, and nationwide on Jan. 7, 2011.

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