J.T. HODGES EARNS RAVE REVIEWS FOR STARRING ROLE IN “FINDING CHRISTMAS” ORIGINAL MOVIE

NEARLY 6 MILLION VIEWERS TUNE IN TO SEE HODGES’ ACTING DEBUT AND MAKES FINDING CHRISTMAS PART OF THE HIGHEST RATED WEEK IN HALLMARK HISTORY

New York, New York…December 18, 2013….Country music artist J.T. Hodges has earned his place as an actor giving The Hallmark Channel one of their highest rated weeks in Hallmark history. On Sunday, December 15th J.T. Hodges starred in the highly anticipated original movie “Finding Christmas” which debuted with a record 3.4 rating and was seen by nearly 6 million unduplicated viewers. Hodges helped the Hallmark Channel achieve its #1 rated ad-supported cable movie of the week and the #1 program of the day.

Hodges earned rave reviews including The New York Times singling him out from the cast as “surprisingly good.” In a movie where more seasoned actors had roles it was Hodges who caught the eye of the critics at the globally respected New York Times.

“Finding Christmas” is most notable, though for the presence of J.T. Hodges, normally a country singer but here an actor. Mr. Hodges, a newcomer to the acting thing, is surprisingly good, and the script also leads his character to an open-mike night in which he sings a delightful “Joy to the World…..”

 – The New York Times

The faith media culture website beliefnet added:

“Country singer JT Hodges projects enormous onscreen charisma (somebody should cast the guy in a TV series) and performs stand-out renditions of Joy to the World and Silent Night.”

“Finding Christmas” premiered on The Hallmark Channel on Sunday, December 15th at 8pm ET/7pm ET. Hodges tweeted live throughout the East Coast and West Coast airings. His own rendition of the classic “Joy to the World,” performed in the movie, is available on iTunes and has since become one of the most popular downloaded holiday songs this month. http://smarturl.it/JTJTTWiTunes.

The movie is scheduled to re-run on The Hallmark Channel on Thursday, December 19th (10pm ET), Saturday, December 21st (4pm ET), Sunday, December 22nd (12 Noon ET), Tuesday, December 24th (12 Noon ET) and Christmas Day December 25th (7:30am ET).

“I had a great time working with the cast and crew of “Finding Christmas” said J.T. Hodges. “It was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to show another side of myself and I am very excited about how successful it was for the viewers and my fans.”

If high ratings, ad-supported excitement, unprecedented support from the network and fan enthusiasm is any indication of J.T. Hodges’ future in acting then it’s very likely we will see him again on network television or the big screens. His newest single will release in February of 2014. For more information on Hodges go to www.jthodges.com

JT HODGES' "FINDING CHRISTMAS" WORLD PREMIERE THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

‘FINDING CHRISTMAS,’

A HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE WORLD PREMIERE, DECEMBER 15

STARS COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST J.T. HODGES, TRICIA HELFER, MARK LUTZ AND CRISTINA ROSATO

Part of Hallmark Channel's COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS, the #1 Most Treasured Holiday Destination by Television Viewers

J.T. Hodges Releases the Classic Holiday Song “Joy to the World” Now on iTunes

“Finding Christmas” is most notable, though, for the presence of J. T. Hodges, normally a country singer but here an actor. Mr. Hodges, a newcomer to the acting thing, is surprisingly good, and the script also leads his character to an open-mike night in which he sings a delightful “Joy to the World...”

- The New York Times

Romantic possibilities are plentiful when country music star J.T. Hodges makes his acting debut alongside Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica”), Mark Lutz (“Ghost Whisperer”) and Cristina Rosato (“Perfect Plan”) in the World Premiere of “Finding Christmas,” a Hallmark Channel Original Movie Sunday, December 15 (8pm ET/PT, 7C), part of the network’s celebrated “Countdown to Christmas,” TV’s top holiday destination.

In harmony with the “Finding Christmas” movie, Hodges offers viewers a modern country take on the holiday classic “Joy To The World,” performed in the movie by Hodges and available now on iTunes http://smarturl.it/JTJTTWiTunes. Hodges’ own arrangement of the classic marks the first time he has released a Christmas/holiday song in conjunction with a network film release.

“Finding Christmas” is about single mother Ryan (played by Helfer) who has just given up on dating after her divorce, happily accepting her young son as the most important man in her life. That all changes when Ryan’s brother Owen (played by Hodges), also feeling unlucky in love after a bad breakup, swaps his home in their small North Carolina town with New York City adman Sean (played by Lutz). Ryan feels an instant spark with her new neighbor, but Sean, who signed up for the temporary home swap after a proposal gone wrong, is out of his comfort zone in his new rural surroundings. He quickly discovers the magic involved with taking chances and starts opening up to romantic possibilities around free-spirited Ryan.

On the other end of the housing exchange, aspiring musician Owen (JT Hodges) is charmed when he meets Sean’s sassy assistant Mia (played by Rosato) in New York City. The brash Mia is just the right person to help Owen snap out of his rut and take a real chance on his music career. As Owen acclimates to his swanky New York City digs with Mia’s help, he begins to realize Mia might be just the right girl for him. With Christmas approaching and the home swap nearing an end, the future for both relationships is up in the air and it’s anyone’s guess if the temporary holiday arrangements lead to long lasting love. In “Finding Christmas,” JT Hodges performs the holiday song “Joy to the World” when he goes to an open-mic night at a New York City Club with his new love interest, Mia. Knowing Owen plays around his home town in North Carolina, Mia encourages him to play because of the people who will be attending from the radio networks. “Finding Christmas” is a Chesler/Perlmutter Production.

"I've always loved performance art period. It was choir and musicals in high school and then on to theatre and television studies in college. I’ve always been passionate about cinema, as a viewer and an actor, and my parents always gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue the Arts while growing up. Names like Paul Newman, Robin Williams, Oliver Stone and Steven Spielberg will always have my praise,” said JT Hodges. “Being able to work on this movie with Hallmark Channel was an amazing experience and opportunity for me. I'm very thankful and excited that all of my fans now get to see another side of my artistry."

Fans of Hodges can enjoy the movie right along with him as the star will be tweeting live during the broadcast on Sunday, December 15th beginning at 8pm EST/7pm CST. Hodges will also tweet with his West Coast fans when it airs the same night at 8pm PST. To join J.T. during the movie’s premiere airing fans can go to www.twitter.com/hellojthodges

J.T. HODGES STARS IN HALLMARK CHANNEL'S ORIGINAL HOLIDAY MOVIE “FINDING CHRISTMAS” SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 / TO RELEASE HOLIDAY CLASSIC “JOY TO THE WORLD” VIA ITUNES ON NOV 5.

Country Music star JT Hodges will star in a new made-for-television holiday movie. The sultry country music artist who has already caught the eye of Music City Nashville, award-winning producers, the ACM’s and People Magazine will debut his acting skills in the Hallmark Channel Original Holiday movie, “Finding Christmas” which premieres on the network on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 8pm EST. In conjunction with the network television movie, JT will also release a modern country take on the classic holiday song “Joy to the World” on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 via iTunes. The movie is part of Hallmark Channel’s popular “Countdown to Christmas” programming campaign.

Joining JT Hodges in the cast are Tricia Helfer (“Battlestar Galactica” “The Firm”), Mark Lutz (“Ghost Whisperer”) and Cristina Rosato (“Perfect Plan”). “Finding Christmas” is about single mother Ryan (played by Helfer) who has just given up on dating after her divorce, happily accepting her young son as the most important man in her life. That all changes when Ryan’s brother Owen (played by Hodges), also feeling unlucky in love after a bad breakup, swaps his home in their small North Carolina town with New York City adman Sean (played by Lutz). Ryan feels an instant spark with her new neighbor, but Sean, who signed up for the temporary home swap after a proposal gone wrong, is out of his comfort zone in his new rural surroundings. He quickly discovers the magic involved with taking chances and starts opening up to romantic possibilities around free-spirited Ryan.

In “Finding Christmas,” JT Hodges performs the holiday song “Joy to the World” when he goes to an open-mic night at a New York City Club with his new love interest, Mina. Knowing Owen plays around his home town in North Carolina, Mina encourages him to play because of the people who will be attending from the radio networks.

“Joy to the World,” performed by JT Hodges will be available just in time for the holidays on November 5th via iTunes.