Dawna Lee Heising of EOE Covers Sneak Preview of Christmas in Canaan Starring Billy Ray Cyrus

Sneak Preview Was Presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Diversity Committee and the Hallmark Channel on December 3, 2009

Dawna Lee Heising and John C. Alsedek of Eye on Entertainment on Time Warner Cable covered the red carpet at the sneak preview of “Christmas in Canaan”. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Diversity Committee and Hallmark Channel presented the special sneak preview of “Christmas in Canaan”, a Hallmark Channel Original Movie that premieres on the network on Sunday, December 12, 2009 at 8:00 PM EST as part of Hallmark Channel's Holiday Countdown.

Based on the book and screenplay by Grammy® Award-winner Kenny Rogers and Donald Davenport, Christmas in Canaan is the story of a wounded puppy that bridges the racial divide between two young boys on the eve of the Civil Rights Movement, leading to an unlikely, lifelong friendship. Grammy Award-nominated artist and actor Billy Ray Cyrus stars as widower Daniel Burton, a man struggling to raise three kids on a limited income. The film also stars Zak Ludwig as DJ, the son of Burton, and Jaishon Fisher as Rodney, a classmate and enemy of DJ. Candus Churchill stars as Miss Eunice, the grandmother of Rodney who decides along with Daniel, to help bring the boys together.

Multi-platinum recording artist Billy Ray Cyrus has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, and earned nearly 30 chart singles, including 15 Top 40 hits, while at the same time establishing himself as a successful and respected actor in film and television. Cyrus says that his role in “Christmas in Canaan” reminded him of his father, who died in 2006.  Christmas in Canaan’s theme song was written and performed by Billy Ray Cyrus, and his new music video "We'll Get by Somehow (We Always Do)" was featured following the screening.

Dan Angel, Margaret Loesch, Michael Jaffe and Howard Braunstein were the executive producers of “Christmas in Canaan”. The studios involved were Bauman Entertainment, The Hatchery and Jaffe-Braunstein Films. The special sneak preview was held at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre, 5230 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA.

About the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded in 1946 just one month after network television was born. It is a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of telecommunications arts and sciences and to fostering creative leadership in the telecommunications industry. In addition to recognizing outstanding programming through its Emmy® Award, the Television Academy publishes Emmy® Magazine and stages many industry-related programs, services and year-round events for the television community. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences rewards excellence in Prime Time programming. For additional press information and resources concerning the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, please contact Robin Mesger of The Lippin Group at (323) 965-1990.

About Eye on Entertainment
“Eye on Entertainment”, a division of Eye on Excellence™ Productions, is aired twice weekly on Time Warner Cable in Southern California. The EOE team covers entertainment events, film festivals, red carpets and award shows, and features interviews with successful people in all walks of life, exploring the traits they have in common. Dawna Lee Heising is the executive producer and host of EOE.  She is a long-standing member of SAG & AFTRA and is Ms. Universe 2009.  The show is produced and directed by John C. Alsedek, who is also the writer, director & producer of the horror anthology series “AS DARKNESS FALLS”, which runs on Time Warner Cable. The EOE photographer is David McNeil, who is a former executive with United Artists and was one of the developers of Pay-per-View.  For more information, please visit http://www.eyeonentertainment.tv/ and www.youtube.com/eyeonentertainment.