When Midland was searching for the leading lady for their “Burn Out” video, it turns out they didn’t have to look far.  After searching unsuccessfully, it was Jess Carson who suggested their friend, Ceion (C-on).  Mark and Cameron have been friends with her and her husband a long time, and once her name came up, Cameron said, “‘Oh my God, yeah, she would be awesome.’ She was in Russia when he called her to see if she could do it and she flew back and I think she’s a star man.”

In fact, Mark Wystrach says while they were making the video, which was one live, continuous take, “Every time we found ourselves watching her.  I was like, ‘Let’s do it again. She’s so good, you just wanted to see it again and again.”

You can see Midland’s video for “Burn Out” now on YouTube.  You can also hear their new version of “Eastbound and Down,” which they performed on this year’s CMA Awards, on your favorite streaming or download service.

Midland – woman in video  :52

Cameron Duddy – “We actually had no idea who we were going to cast and it was coming down to the wire and just nobody could fill the shoes of what we all saw as the lead female protagonist. And Jess was the one who suggested that we hire Ceion,  who is a friend of Mark and I for a long time. I’ve been really good friends with her. We’ve been great friends with her husband for a long time. And he goes, ‘What about Ceion?’ And I go, ‘Who?’  He goes, ‘Ceion.’  I’m like, ‘Oh my God, yeah, she would be awesome.’ She was in Russia when he called her to see if she could do it and she flew back and I think she’s a star man.”

Mark Wystrach – “Plus that was a star making role. Everybody was watching it because it’s one live take. And every time we found ourselves watching her.  I was like, ‘Let’s do it again. She’s so good, you just wanted to see it again and again.”

Cameron – “A lot of times people freeze in that kind of high pressure situation. I was more worried about myself than anybody.”