Usher's Singing In the Rain Like Gene Kelly

Music is really the sound of life," says new dad Usher, 29, one of the performers in the "Movies Rock" special, Friday on CBS.
So the lives shown in movies often ripple with music. Friday's performers will include a few old-timers (Elton John, Tony Bennett, John Williams) and a lot of young singers.

The line-up has Carrie Underwood, Beyonce, Fergie, Chris Brown, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Marc Anthony, Queen Latifah and more. Many will do rock or pop tunes, but Usher wanted to do the classic, "Singin' in the Rain."

Yes, it's imposing to do a number that Gene Kelly mastered 55 years ago. "All of the greats get copied," Usher says.Such films have been part of his life. "I've always loved movies," he says.

He grew up (as Usher Raymond IV) in Chattanooga, Tenn., started singing in public at 6 and moved to Atlanta at 12. Two years later, he was spotted in a talent show and signed by the record company of Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.