Christian Kane

If "90% of life is showing up," then Christian Kane is living right. The talented star has made the iconic Woody Allen quote his motto, and his successful multi-faceted career is proof positive that his commitment to creating his own path is the best way to land on top. Today, Kane is earning high praise and notable acclaim both on the country music scene and on screen. With the launch of his well performing debut album "The House Rules" and the title single under his belt, his music stock was already on the rise, and his recently released second single "Let Me Go" is again generating excitement in the music community. Kane is also making a name for himself with a starring role in TNT's hit series "Leverage." The popular series, now airing its fourth season, is enjoying solid success and attracting a steadily increasing legion of fans. Kane is not only embracing the dramatic role and delivering top- notch performances, but he is also broadening his theatrical skills by taking a significant role in the choreography of his gritty fight scenes.

While Kane readily admits that his successful acting career is a professional gift, his commitment to music runs deep from his Oklahoma roots, and in his heart, music is his first love. "I'm from Oklahoma, and country music has always been first and foremost in my heart," said Kane. "I am truly fortunate to be able to do something that I love and to have such supportive fans." Drawn to the illusory life of films and music early in life, Kane forfeited the promise of college pursuits and hit the road headed for the West Coast. In Los Angeles, he got his foot in the door by posing an unusual arrangement with then-prestigious Banner Entertainment which represented hot shots including Edward Norton and Bill Paxton. Kane offered to deliver scripts in exchange for being pitched for projects. His bargain paid off; Kane leapt from employee to client when he was selected as the lead in MGM's television series "FAME L.A.," based on the popular hit movie and successful television series. Once on set, Kane again bucked the system. Originally cast as a comedian in the show, he made sure producers heard his vocal talents, and his role was rewritten as a singer.

While he honed his acting skills and made career leaps many would envy, he remained, at heart, a singer and musical performer. Kane soon met songwriter Steve Carlson. They founded the band KANE and quickly earned packed bookings at L.A. hot spots such as The Viper Room and The Mint. Kane and Carlson became well known for the strength of their songwriting coupled with their high-energy performances. Early to recognize the importance of an online presence, KANE became one of the top unsigned artists on then-new-music-website MySpace and won the nationwide Country Thunder Young Guns Contest. Voted winner by a landslide margin, KANE caught the attention of L.A. country fans at radio station KZLA and regularly played to sold-out audiences.

Not content to remain an L.A. phenomenon, Kane and Carlson began making regular L.A. to Nashville treks to polish their writing skills and introduce themselves to Nashville's decision makers. Kane was readily accepted in Music City's songwriting community, and he was fortunate to collaborate with some of the most respected songwriters in the world--from Keith Follese, Blair Daly, Jimmie Lee Sloas and Billy

Burnett to Jerrod Niemann, Casey Beathard, David Lee Murphy and Brett James. Kane joined the EMI songwriting family and wrote "Happy Man," a cut that's featured on Trace Adkins' 2010 album, "Cowboy's Back in Town." Since then, Kane has shared the stage with country music headliners including Brooks & Dunn, Big & Rich, Eric Church and good friends Jerrod Niemann and Randy Houser.

Kane's career ignited in earnest when he partnered with Bigger Picture Group in 2009. In December 2010, Kane released his debut album "The House Rules." Kane was involved in the writing of all but three songs on the debut effort that peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart and at No. 3 on iTunes Country Chart. The rollicking, bar-themed first single underscored Kane's Oklahoma cowboy roots and gave his growing fan base a new rallying cry.

With the release of his second single "Let Me Go," the multi-talented Kane is showing his softer side in the angst-ridden power ballad about the travails of love. Produced by music industry veterans Bob Ezrin and Jimmie Lee Sloas and written by hitmakers Casey Beathard and Tom Shapiro, "Let Me Go" is poised to hit the charts hard and introduce Kane to a new faction of country music fans.

While Kane has doggedly pursued his music career, his time in the acting world has certainly not been wasted. Previously best known for a major recurring role in Joss Whedon's "Angel" which garnered worldwide recognition, Kane's TV resume includes a leading role in the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced, CBS series "Close To Home" and a featured slot in the Stephen Spielberg/TNT miniseries "Into The West." In addition, Kane made his mark in big-screen films that include "Friday Night Lights"; "Just Married," where he starred with Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy; "Life Or Something Like It"; and "Secondhand Lions," in which he was honored to play a young Robert Duvall.

As Christian Kane continues to chart his own course in his multi-faceted, evolving career, it's clear that he will stay true to his own version of success and always live by his own house rules.