Billboard Bits: Toby Keith, Coldcut, Carlos Ponce

Shooting has begun in Atlanta on Toby Keith’s first feature film, “Angel From Montgomery,” which is being produced by Paramount and MTV Networks’ new CMT Films division. Noted country music video director Steven Goldmann is directing the film, which also stars Burt Reynolds, Kelly Preston and Willie Nelson.

Keith plays a once-famous country-music singer who reunites with his true love and meets his 16-year-old daughter for the first time, according to CMT. “Angel” is the first in Keith’s multi-film deal with Paramount, first reported by Billboard in September.

— Phyllis Stark, Nashville

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Pioneering electronica duo Coldcut will release its next album, “Sound Mirrors,” in January via Ninja Tune. First single “Everything Is Under Control” features Jon Spencer and Mike Ladd and will be commercially released Nov. 14 in the United Kingdom, although it is available now via iTunes.

A video for the track can be viewed on Coldcut’s Web site. Remixes have also been supplied by Trevor Jackson (as Underdog), Solid Groove, DJ Kentaro and the Qemist.

“Sound Mirrors” is Coldcut’s first studio album since 1997’s “Let Us Play,” which was followed two years later by the remix collection “Let Us Replay.” The duo has a handful of live shows on tap this fall, beginning Sunday (Nov. 6) in London.

— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

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Nearly three years ago, Carlos Ponce came to the end of a three-album recording deal with EMI Latin that yielded a string of radio hits.

Instead of landing a new deal, Ponce has been leading a different life as a correspondent for “Entertainment Tonight” and as an actor in several mainstream projects, including a recurring role in TV drama “Seventh Heaven” and a handful of small film roles, such as “Just My Luck,” alongside Lindsay Lohan.

Now, Ponce says he is getting an itch for music again. Most recently, he co-wrote and co-produced six tracks for Chayanne’s latest album, “Cautivo,” including first single “No Te Preocupes Por Mí.” Now, he is seriously considering a return to recording, “if all the pieces in the puzzle are properly placed.”

Ponce says he has not yet approached any labels, but adds, “If conversations evolve, I’m going to listen.”

— Leila Cobo, Miami