More Music Television: Nashville

This Wednesday ABC brings us Nashville starring the talented Connie Britton from Friday Night Lights (she was also in American Horror Story, but I will forgive her).  Ms. Britton plays a country music singer nearing what appears to be her prime and trying to figure out her next steps.  I had a chance to watch the pilot, which I believe shows a lot of promise.  Think Smash with cowboy boots (and better acting). 

Here is the full story from ABC:

Music legend Rayna Jaymes reigns as the Queen of Country, but after two decades, her grip on the throne is slipping. Rayna refuses to be steamrolled by her record label as they present a new arrangement. And in the face of an evolving industry, Rayna is struggling to adapt and reinvent herself, which she must do if she plans to stay relevant.

Juliette Barnes is sexy, sassy, and trails trouble in her wake— she’s also the country’s #1 crossover artist. In her climb to the top, Juliette's public image is threatened by circumstances she struggles to control. And while she is determined to sit on Rayna's throne, Juliette refuses to deal with her difficult past.

Offstage, things aren't much smoother for Rayna. Her father, Lamar Wyatt, Nashville's most influential businessman, continues to complicate her life. Their strained relationship is defined by years of resentment and secrets that come to a head when Lamar and Rayna’s sister, Tandy, push Rayna's husband to run for mayor. For husband Teddy Conrad, this marks an opportunity to share the spotlight with his wife instead of continuing to be the man behind the woman.

The city of Nashville is the stage for many hopefuls: Deacon Claybourne, Rayna's longtime bandleader whose unrequited love for Rayna prevents him from claiming success if he went on his own. Scarlett O'Connor, the beautiful and gifted songwriter, who's here to support her boyfriend Avery's talent while still unsure of her own. Avery Barkley, a struggling alt-country musician, who can't help but feel left behind when his girlfriend Scarlett's songs have a chance to find an audience before his own. And Gunnar Scott, a wholesome up-and-coming crooner, who finds a musical soulmate in Scarlett, coming in between her relationship with Avery.

Nashville is Music City U.S.A. It’s where today's top recording artists lay down tracks while tomorrow's undiscovered talent fight to be heard. With the backdrop of a thriving contemporary music scene, and a tense mayoral race, "Nashville" takes us into the cutthroat world of music and politics, showing what it really means to become a star and stay one.