Minnie Driver tried to woo record company executives at a country music awards ceremony in a bid to get a record deal.

The Hollywood actress - who is also a talented singer and songwriter - is desperate to sign a recording contract before her new movie, 'The Phantom of the Opera', hits cinemas.

She revealed: "I just want to get a little independent deal. But I have to get my record out before the movie comes out - because otherwise people will think I'm an opera singer!"

As well as trying to land a record deal, Minnie also presented the Best Male Video prize at the Flame Worthy Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 'Good Will Hunting' actress recently performed at the South By Southwest music festival in Los Angeles and is hoping that she will enjoy the same kind of success that previous performers The Darkness have enjoyed.

The British rock band played at the festival in 2002 and have since gone on to experience huge success and recently won three prizes at the prestigious Brit Awards.