How many Southerners say the 'a' in 'face' kinda like 'i'?

I know the question wasn't phrased very well, but in shows like Forrest Gump (remember the bus scene) it seems Southerners tend to say the 'a' vowel in words like 'face', 'race', 'pay', 'same' how most Americans would say 'i': i.e. 'broadly.' Like how those kids on the bus say 'taken' in Forrest Gump. I guess very similar to stereotypical Aussie or Cockney pronunciation. But it seems this feature is restricted to broader southern accents, and I tend to hear it less (even on shows like My Name is Earl). Perhaps it's because the ones you hear on the media are a bit less accurate?

Just wondering how prevalent this is, and in what areas would one be more likely to hear it, rather than the standard American/RP type sound.

It's frequent in Southern States as well in the South of England.
In Cockney, race is [rais], and rice is [rois] LOL

In Southern, "race" is "rice" and "rice" is "rahss".

<<In Southern, "race" is "rice" and "rice" is "rahss". >>

Actually, 'race' is "rice" and 'rice' is "raaass" (like "rass" but longer). That's typical of Midland accents.

What state are we talking about here??? I consider myself a Southerner and I do not talk like Forrest Gump!
I do not say "race" as "rice".