In 2008, pop culture music met teen drama on the FOX network and called it “Glee,” leaving society ringing with the echos of their voices. This year, ABC has brought country music to the set in the show called “Nashville.”
Casting in Nashville includes Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, the young and sassy, rising star of country music, in direct competition with the older, country legend Reyna James (Connie Britton), who must learn to redefine herself to keep her fans.
Deacon Claybourne, played by Charles Esten, is the man in both the rivaling artists’ lives. Teddy Conrad, Reyna’s husband, is played by Eric Close. Powers Boothe plays Reyna’s father Lamar Wyott. Coleman Carlisle [Robert Wisdom] is the family friend of the James’ and also political rivalry up against Teddy. Scarlett O’connell is played by Clare Bowen, as singer/songwriter and Deacon’s niece. Gunnar Scott is played by Sam Palladio, as singer/songwriting partner for Scarlett, and finally, Avery Barkley is played by Jonathan Jackson, as Scarlett’s boyfriend, also a singer/songwriter.
The show began with the young star sassing the older, Mrs. Reyna James, and vice versa. Both of their careers end up on the line, however, as Juliette makes one mistake, and Reyna’s fans start to turn away. The two find themselves having to put their rivalry aside to join talents in the hopes of keeping their fans.
Along with this rivalry, conflict also arises when Juliette’s alcoholic mom shows up, bringing out her vulnerable, needy side. This causes a sort of character shift, as the audience goes from seeing her as arrogant and sassy, to vulnerable and emotional. In the midst of that, Reyna’s ex-lover and ex-guitar player gets involved with Juliette, causing conflict between the once close Reyna and Deacon, which leads us to Reyna’s home life drama.
At home, Reyna lives the life of a mother of two teenage daughters, a wife, and a political supporter of her husband, Teddy Conrad, who decided to run for mayor. The audience soon finds out that Reyna has a bad family history, too, with her manipulative, controlling father. Teddy takes his political career into the guidance of Reyna’s father, which after a series of events also ends up on the line when people suspect his having an affair, and he reveals to his wife he once stole from a bank. Trust issues result, and the season ends with Reyna meeting her old friend, Deacon.
Deacon, while he ends up mixed up with both country stars at one time, ends his relations with Juliette implying that they should just be friends. As he was once an alcoholic, though, he volunteers to help her mother get back on track with her drinking problem, and in turn, with Juliette’s emotional stability. During the show, we find out that Deacon once toured with Reyna, but ended with his going to rehab, Reyna getting married, and settling down in Nashville where he found happiness in playing/singing in local coffee shop. His niece, singer/songwriter Scarlett, works in the same coffee shop where he plays, along with her new friend Gunnar.
Drama rises in the house of Scarlett and her boyfriend Avery, when Scarlett begins to write and record love songs with Gunnar, when he also starts to get involved with their recording aid. The season ends with Scarlett moving in with her uncle to get over her ex, Avery, and sealing it with a kiss from Gunnar, who also broke up with his girlfriend, their recording aid.
Although this show seems like drama on top of drama, it really is full of entertainment, and good music. Similar to Glee, every song featured in the show is available for download on iTunes. Avery’s music is the rock/punk type, Juliette’s sound is pop country, Reyna’s music isn older sounding mix of traditional and pop country. Lastly, Scarlett and Gunnar’s music is a soft acoustic sound.
Whether you are looking for another addicting ABC Family drama show, or good music to listen to, don’t give Nashville a thumbs down or up until you see it for yourself.
