They say the whole world’s a stage, and that’s definitely the case for the cast of Nashville. Over the course of four seasons, the glitzy soap opera - set in the world of Music City, USA - has featured performers whose musical talents equal their acting chops, allowing the them to breathe life and character into the show’s original country songs. Fresh from touring those tunes across America, four of Nashville’s biggest stars are currently treating UK and Irish audiences to the drama’s much-loved repertoire.
Created in 2011 by Callie Khouri, who won an Academy Award in 1992 for writing Thelma and Louise, this trashy guilty pleasure focuses on the lives, loves and professional highs and lows of country musicians at various stages of their careers, whether striving for that elusive big break at the legendary Bluebird Cafe – like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift – or stepping out at the hallowed Grand Ole Opry.
With a production team that has benefited from the wisdom of executive producers like T Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller, coupled with the show’s songs being penned by successful and aspiring songwriters, it’s no surprise the drama boasts such high calibre, authentic material.
Taking the songs on tour was the next logical step for a drama that has even inserted live performances into episodes as they aired. Although the show’s stars, Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere, haven’t appeared at any dates and other participants are sitting out the UK and Ireland gigs, Charles “Chip” Esten, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio and Chris Carmack are more than capable of bringing the Nashville experience to life.
The show’s songs are undoubtedly more resonant due to their association with characters and plot lines, but the cast’s musical abilities are important. Much has been written about who their on screen alter egos are based on, but most are composites of the genre’s greats and their musical styles follow suit.
Esten’s Deacon Claybourne is the much-respected band leader, guitarist, songwriter and go-to collaborator for many Nashville musicians, recalling Gillian Welch’s long time musical partner David Rawlings. His old school troubadour values have been compared to Hank Williams by the actor himself, and Deacon’s best songs – Sideshow, Back Home and A Life That’s Good – are emotionally earnest, acoustic, lap steel numbers that channel everyone from James Taylor to Willie Nelson.
Like Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman, two gay stars of country music, Carmack’s Will Lexington came out at the end of season three. He initially demonstrated a cliched schtick that was Gene Autry via Billy Ray Cyrus, with barn burners like What If I Was Willing and Hurtin’ On Me. His music evolved when he hooked up with songwriter Kevin Bicks, with Who I Am and Broken Song representing confessionals that mirrored the character’s developing self awareness and honesty.
At the other end of the Nashville food chain, Bowen’s Scarlett O’Connor and Palladio’sGunnar Scott were initially Bluebird-dwelling wannabes with big dreams, before experiencing the whirlwind ups and downs of a brutal and rewarding music business. The former is the quiet, albeit determined, moral centre of the show, with Bowen’s voice possessing the ethereal beauty of Alison Krauss allied to the poetic storytelling of Caitlin Rose. The delicately moving Falling and heart-wrenching Black Roses are two of her most spine tingling moments.
Scott, meanwhile, possesses the independent, artistic edge of modern Nashville, leaning towards Americana and supplementing his own projects with gun-for-hire songwriting gigs. With the demeanour and spirit of Justin TownesEarle and mainstream tendencies similar to Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, Gunnar’s pained tribute to his deceased brother - Adios Old Friend – the selfless romance of Shine and When The Right One Comes Along’s unbearable sadness typify his mastery at expressing heartbreak.
Much like the actual Nashville, collaborations on the show are commonplace. When Bowen and Palladio – who’s returning to his homeland on this tour - perform together expect the house to come down as a result of their characters’ will-they-won’t they romance. With an Americana/alt-country sound that’s sparse, tender and haunting, their voices intertwine perfectly on the beautiful If I Didn’t Know Better - made famous by the Civil Wars – and Fade Into You. There won’t be a dry eye in the house if they perform those numbers.
What’s most fascinating about these live shows is hearing the actors play some of their own material, revealing possible future careers away from the drama. Carmack has been writing and recording for years and cut his teeth playing in down and out blues bars. His latest EP, ‘Being Alone’, is a mixture of country, blues and jazz that demonstrates his multi-talented skills, while his saxophone work isn’t to be sniffed at.
Bowen has been working with Burnett on her debut album, but she’s taking her time. “It’s my first album. I’ve never done anything like this, so I want it to be me,” she told Rolling Stone. Drum is a pleasant, pop-folk charmer that’s indicative of her direction and is already finding favour with audiences.
Palladio is also readying his bow, telling Rolling Stone: “The songs are done; I’ve been writing like crazy over the last few years. So I’m really excited to press the ‘go’ button on that and, in the next six months or so, have people hear my original stuff.” Drawing on the Americana and country of his day job but with a harder rocking edge, Lightning Bones has been described by Nashville Forever as ‘Buddy Holly meets Green Day’.
Thus far, Esten has proved the most successful cast member, penning material with real life Nashville songwriters – his superlative tearjerker I Know How To Love You Now was included on season three - and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry on many occasions, first as Deacon, now as Esten. “The applause that you get in the beginning is because you’re on the show. The applause you get at the end is based on how you did that day,” he told the Evening Standard.
The old theatrical adage is you should always leave your audience wanting more, but fans of Nashville obviously disagree. Following its axe by ABC after four seasons, the show’s diehard followers launched a fierce and determined social media campaign for another platform to save their beloved drama. A fifth season – and possibly beyond - will duly be delivered on CMT and streamed on Hulu. So when Bowen, Esten, Palladio and Carmack step out to rapturous applause, what could have been a bittersweet farewell will now be the most euphoric party in town. That, ladies and gents, is the power of music.
Nashville In Concert Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri June 17 2016 - BRISTOL Colston Hall
Sat June 18 2016 - LONDON Eventim Apollo
Sun June 19 2016 - LONDON Eventim Apollo
Mon June 20 2016 - DUBLIN 3Arena
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