Tim McGraw saddles up for ‘Flicka’

Tim McGraw has come a long way since growing up in a flyspeck of a Southern town called Start, La.

The Grammy Award-winning country music star has sold more than 33 million albums and placed 26 singles at No. 1. His Soul 2 Soul II Tour 2006, with wife Faith Hill, was the highest-grossing in country music history.

He also received acclaim for the 2004 feature film “Friday Night Lights.”

Now McGraw gives a touching performance as a father in “Flicka,” a new movie adaptation of Mary O’Hara‘s beloved novel, “My Friend Flicka.” The soundtrack closes with a song called “My Little Girl” that he co-wrote and performed.

Q: Did you go back and watch the 1943 film “My Friend Flicka”?

A: I did. I watched it after I read the script for “Flicka.” I thought it was a great film. Everybody remembers it. There was also a TV show.

Q: How different is your film from the classic Roddy McDowall version?

A: Our film is set in modern times, of course. There’s a 17-year-old daughter instead of an 8- or 9-year-old boy. “Flicka” is more focused on (the family’s fear of) losing the ranch and a new way of life. It’s more focused on the struggle the father is going through trying to save his ranch.

Q: Over the years we’ve seen some country music stars such as Johnny Cash and Reba McEntire court a new fan base by trying their hand at acting. Why don’t we see more of that?

A: I don’t do it to try to find a fan base. … I do it as an artist, to discover new things, to see what you can do. I love the art of movies, and I have a great respect for actors. It’s just a learning process. It’s a challenge for me.

Q: Your wife, Faith Hill, is a major star in her own right. How do you deal with the egos that come with huge careers and hold your marriage together?

A: The careers are secondary. Family is first. We were lucky that we both had good careers before we met and married. We put our family and marriage first, and everything else finds a place.

Q: You’re one of the few vocal Democrats among the top strata of country music stars. Has that created any problems for you?

A: No. I have my opinions, but I don’t force them on anybody. I don’t know if I’m right or wrong. I just know that innately it’s the way I feel. In my way of thinking, the best Democratic values (are) a good way for people to live, but Republicans have some great ideas, too. … There are great things on both sides. That’s what makes this country great. It’s just the genetic makeup in me to be a Democrat.

The birthday bunch

Director Ang Lee is 52. Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 50. Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 50. Singer “Weird Al” Yankovic is 47. Actor Ryan Reynolds (“Van Wilder”) is 30. Actress Masiela Lusha (“George Lopez”) is 21.