The Mighty Mighty Bosstones frontman Dicky Barrett is apparently in negotiations to portray seminal rock figure Bill Haley in "Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story," a CBS mini-series about a fictional band set during the early history of rock and roll.

According to a report that has surfaced in "Variety," Barrett would also lend his voice to a cover version of the mini-series' title track, a Top 20 hit for Haley back in 1954. Haley is perhaps best remembered for his anthemic reading of "Rock Around the Clock," a song written by Jimmy DeKnight and Dave Myers.

Aside from using songs from that era, producers are also planning to incorporate new material from Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Carole King, Graham Nash, and Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Dylan has already penned one song, "Fur Slippers," that B.B. King recently recorded for the mini-series.

"Return to Lonesome Dove" director Mike Robe will step behind the camera again for "Shake, Rattle and Roll," based upon a script written by Robe and Bill Kerby, who co-wrote the screenplay for the 1979 Bette Midler film, "The Rose."

In addition to Barrett, executive producers for "Shake, Rattle and Roll" are attempting to get other contemporary musicians to play some of the other early rock-and-rollers from that era, but there's no word yet on who they might approach.

"Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story" is tentatively scheduled to air on CBS during Thanksgiving weekend.