Veteran musician/producer T Bone Burnett is getting into the television game. According to a press release, recently launched cable network Epix announced that Burnett will serve as an executive producer for their original series 'Tough Trade.' Specifically, Burnett will lend his sharp ear and work as a music supervisor, as well as creator of original pieces for the show.

As previously reported, 'Tough Trade' promises to follow the exploits of a three generation, dysfunctional country music family. The plot is said to center around the family's last hope-the black sheep of the family, who was once a budding country star but is finding new success as an alt-rock heartthrob.

If you want to get the folks in the heartland to subscribe to your new premium cable channel, what better way than to expose the dark, seamy underbelly of the country music industry?

Okay, we don't see the logic either, but that's what Epix, the month-old premium channel on Verizon FIOS systems, is doing. Two weeks ago, the channel announced a pilot for its backstage-country soap 'Tough Trade,' which will star Sam Shepard as the patriarch of a Nashville music family. Now comes news that the cast is being rounded out by Lucas Black and Cary Elwes (pictured, right).

'Tough Trade,' created by 'Weeds' producers Jenji Kohan and Chris Offutt, centers on the Tuckers, a music-biz clan, described alliteratively by the Hollywood Reporter as "a Nashville music dynasty whose penchant for drink, debauchery and divorce has left it on the verge of bankruptcy." Shepard will play father to Elwes, both of whose characters are respected country music figures. Black will play Elwes' son, a talented guitarist who's avoiding the family business, choosing instead to sell illegal ammunition.

If you're launching a multi-platform entertainment service, why not hire a multi-hyphenate talent?

The fledgling, not-quite-network Epix has tapped actor-director-playwright Sam Shepard to star in its first drama series, 'Tough Trade.' Shepard, who's very often called on to play intimidating authority figures, will star as the patriarch of the "morally corrupt" Tucker family, a three-generation Nashville music dynasty whose penchant for drink, debauchery and divorce has left them on the verge of bankruptcy, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Epix is a joint venture of Viacom, Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate that launched October 30 on Verizon FIOS, with concert and comedy specials. The premium channel aims to launch its first original scripted program in late 2010.

Among many announcements from TNT at upfront week was the stated goal to dramatically increase original content. The network aims to eventually reach 80% original content, with plans for three original nights a week by 2010. How are they going to reach those goals? With cops. Lots and lots of cops.

We've already heard about the new Donnie Wahlberg DEA series, Morse Code. Three other cop shows are in development at the network, including Delta Blues, from executive producer George Clooney, which follows the story of a Memphis cop who does a little Elvis impersonating on the side. 24 co-creator Joel Surnow is also joining the TNT family with an as yet untitled series built around an ATF agent. Finishing off the law enforcement party is Angel City. Written by L.A. cop Will Beall and Barry Schindel, Angel City is being compared to Adam-12. Read on past the jump for the less cuff-heavy goings on over at TNT.