Nashville

Previously on Nashville...

Have you worked as a backup singer before?

I can sing. I can really sing.

You've been given a voice, girl.

Just keep singing what you believe in. You're gonna be fine.

I also wanna thank my manager,

for sticking by me all these years.

We're dropping you.

You're no longer an Edgehill artist.

Scarlett O'Connor, meet Liam McGuinnis.

Y'all have fun.

Did you try to murder the father of my children?

As far as I'm concerned, both my parents are dead.

Lamar?

Help me.

Well? What do you think?

I think it's amazing.

It's amazing!

Thank you.

Thought you were gonna hate it for some reason.

Why would I hate that? I love it.

It's... it's so... it's beautiful.

It's moving and... and raw and emotional.

You really... you dug deep for that one, girl.

And the mix... I love the mix.

It... it feels like it's right in my ear.

- Thanks. Thanks. - Yeah.

You didn't doubt me, did you?

How could I ever doubt you?

Well, all right, I mean,

y'all got everything under control here,

so I'm just gonna go deal with a couple other things

- And... and leave you to it. - Thank you.

Okay.

- Great work. - Thanks.

Okay.

Is everything okay?

Yeah. Why?

I heard your dad is out.

That must be a relief.

Let's just say I'm happy to be focusing on work right now.

If you need me, um, I'm here.

Honestly, what you're doing with Scarlett is the biggest help.

I appreciate it so much.

You know I've invested everything in that girl.

Yeah.

This album has to be great.

How are you and Luke?

We're good.

Oh. Just "good"?

Go work. Make it great.

Okay.

Well?

Uh, it's...

"Perfect" is the wrong word.

What is a word that's better than "perfect"?

I love it.

Are you k... I don't know how you did it,

but it feels like you put my soul in there.

I'm glad you like it.

It's too bad nobody'll ever hear it.

Why not?

Well, 'cause Jeff Fordham dropped me,

and no other label in this city will touch me, remember?

Yeah, but you have other people in your corner.

You don't count.

I'm gonna not take that personally.

And besides, I'm not talking about me.

I'm talking about Ken Inman.

Wait... Ken Inman,

the New York Times music critic, Ken...

Is there another one that would be relevant to this conversation?

No. What'd he say?

Does this mean you're lifting your own media blackout?

- Shut up. Tell me. - All right.

Apparently, Inman watched your induction performance

on the Opry website.

You ready?

Check it out.

"Juliette Barnes is best known for spangled hot pants

and, of course, her many tabloid appearances."

Just... it gets better. Keep going.

"But her brave, rebellious, and eye-opening performance

"of 'Don't put Dirt on my Grave Just Yet'

"at her induction into the Grand Ole Opry

"proves that Barnes has a deeper spring

"and is an artist with music

worthy of serious consideration and respect."

The New York Times just called you a serious artist.

Yeah, it only took me trashing my career for this to happen,

and it's great, but...

You do know that you're the only person in Nashville

who reads the New York Times?

Every other paper is literally putting dirt on my grave.

Can you just bask in the glow of good news

For like two minutes?

No.

But I can bask in you.

Deacon: Don't even worry about it.

Look, I totally understand, man. This is very last-minute.

Just got it from my booking agent myself.

I figured you'd be busy.

All right. All right. Thanks, Chuck.

No luck?

I can't even get a damn drummer, let alone a whole band.

Thank you.

Hey, why don't you ask Scarlett?

Maybe her band could back you up.

Honey, those guys are pros.

They don't want to drive an hour to play some dinky little dive.

So why are you? You sold out the Bluebird last night.

You're playing there again tomorrow.

I'm just not in a position

to be turning down gigs right now, you know?

I just... Need to find some like-minded suckers

willing to play for warm beer and cold pizza.

Glenn: Juliette?

Who's that?

Juliette?

Does he always just show up without calling?

Everybody does.

I don't...

Juliette, why aren't you answering my...

Oh, my God! Excuse me.

I'm so sorry. I didn't know you two were...

Glenn! Why aren't you on vacation?!

I-I...

I told you to! I didn't want to be disturbed!

I know, but this can't wait.

Look, there's a piece in the New York Times by Ken Inman.

I know. I know. Avery told me already.

Yeah, yeah, but you don't know that Howie V read it,

and... and he saw the Opry website video.

He wants to meet you.

Like 12 Grammys and 17 VMAs super-producer Howie V?

Exactly. He's sending his jet for you.

It took off two hours ago,

which you would know if you would have returned my calls,

but you guys were... you know.

Come on! Get dressed! Get dressed.

We're going to L.A.

I'm sorry... we're going to L.A. the meeting's for you.

He just produced an amazing version of the song.

Hey, hey, hey, it's okay. It's all right. I got work.

Next time.

Fine.

Send Howie V Avery's mix of the song,

because if he thinks that Opry video was good,

this is gonna blow his mind.

Okay.

Oh, he's seen worse.

Rayna: So, we'll just update the website

to say "Scarlett O'Connor is taking a break

"from the Luke Wheeler tour

"to record with legendary producer Liam McGuinnis,

who also produced Rayna's most recent album."

- I like that one. - Hey, Rayna?

Hey.

Listen, I've been trying to reach you for hours.

I know. I'm sorry. I-I-I wanted to call you back.

I just... I wanted to have a quiet moment,

and I just had a crazy morning.

What's going on?

I'm sorry, Rayna.

I don't... I don't know how to say this, but...

Lamar passed away this morning.

What?

Yeah. He had a heart attack in my office.

I'm sorry.

It just... it happened so fast.

He came storming in, all worked up,

accusing me of testifying against him.

I tried to explain, get him to calm down,

and next thing I know, he's grabbing his chest,

and he's on the ground, and I...

you know, I shouted for help,

but then by the time the paramedics got there,

he was gone.

Does Tandy know?

No.

I wanted to tell you first.

The police and the paramedics...

they said that they would keep this under wraps

until we can make an official statement.

Maddie: Dad?

What's wrong?

You see, your grandpa had a weak heart,

and he never really recovered from his first heart attack.

It just doesn't make any sense.

We were right here with him,

singing and laughing, like a minute ago.