Entertainment, Music - Marine Corps Times

Terrence Howard’s time to ‘Shine Through It’

Terrence Howard has often played musicians, but with the release of “Shine Through It,” the actor is finally playing his own music.

“The label wanted to have writers work with me and produce,” says Howard, 39, who recorded his debut album during a two-week break while filming “Iron Man.” “They would just use my name and get some sales because I rapped in “Hustle & Flow.” I told them that was not what I want to do. I’m not Jamie Foxx, I’m not Usher and I’m not Outkast. I’m none of them.”

He insisted on writing, producing and arranging the album’s 11 songs, which reflect his wide-ranging affection for everyone from James Taylor and Bob Marley to Duke Ellington and The Temptations. He also directed the video for first single “Love Makes You Beautiful.”

His songs are inspired by his own life and are delivered with a jazzy, soulful vibe by young session musicians who include co-producer and bassist Miles Mosley. Howard wrote the ballad “Sanctuary” after seeing the close bond between Seal and Heidi Klum. The politically tinged “War” grew out of an argument with Mosley in the studio, while the wistful “She Was Mine” is the story of a woman he met at a red light on La Cienega Boulevard in L.A. (and subsequently dated).

“No. 1 Fan” came from “a lullaby I had written to my children,” says Howard, who has a son and two daughters. “‘Little children, don’t be shy, close your eyes and let dreams roll by. Have you ever seen a mountain cry?’ My kids caught me crying after my divorce.”

Though Howard has been playing guitar for more than 15 years, he has shown only glimpses of his talents in his Oscar-nominated turn in “Hustle & Flow” and roles in “Ray,” “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and “The Best Man.” He started his career in 1992, portraying Jackie Jackson in the TV biopic “The Jacksons: An American Dream.” Still, making the album was his first time recording or even playing with a band.

“I was like the butterfly flying through their field of flowers,” Howard says. “They were very patient and forgiving of my fear. They trusted me and I gave them an opportunity they never had before — the freedom to contribute without being dictated to.”

He had almost given up on his longtime dream of making an album. Then he ran into “Hustle & Flow” co-star Taryn Manning in Las Vegas. Manning introduced him to singer/guitarist Ilsey Juber, who co-wrote “Sanctuary.” He was so impressed with Juber that he tried to use his contacts to get her a record deal and wound up with one himself.

“She blew me away, this 20-year-old girl who is like a mix of Jim Croce and Stevie Nicks,” says Howard, who has Juber on tour with him and plans to release her album on his Gentry Records imprint. “She needs to be heard, so I made an album to accomplish that.”

Howard’s next film is the Dito Montiel-directed drama “Fighting,” out in early 2009. He’s still interested in doing the Charley Pride biopic with “Hustle & Flow” director Craig Brewer but is waiting to see a script. Also on his plate: an “Iron Man” sequel for summer 2010. He expects his role as the title character’s best friend, Col. James Rhodes, to be greatly expanded. (In the comic books, Rhodes is the metal-suited hero War Machine.)

“Even though I was the second lead (to star Robert Downey Jr.), it seemed more like a fifth lead,” Howard says. “They told me I had to make that sacrifice to establish the characters.”

Howard has played several concert dates. He’s still learning how to take better care of his voice, which isn’t used to the strain of constant singing. He also wants to bring along all 13 members of his band.

“Sony wants me to do a bigger tour, but I don’t want to do just part of the album. To do the whole album, I need all of that instrumentation.”