'Nashville' Preview: CMA Award Nominations Are Announced Pitting Rayna Against Luke, Sara Evans Performs

Sara Evans and Luke Wheeler perform "Put My Heart Down" on ABC's Nashville

On this week's new Nashville, Juliette bravely faces her new reality and the CMA Awards nominations are announced pitting Rayna against Luke. Sara Evans, Robin Roberts and Amy Robach guest star as themselves. Nashville airs Wednesday, October 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

In the episode, titled "Nobody Said It Was Going to be Easy," after a health scare, Juliette decides to ask Avery if he wants to be a part of her life as the baby’s father. Then, Gunnar deals with some recent life changing news and seeks advice from Scarlett. Meanwhile, Rayna sweeps the nominations for the CMA Awards but is up against her fiancé Luke for the most prized "Entertainer of the Year" category. Her glory is abruptly interrupted when she finds out Maddie and Daphne have been misbehaving back at home. While out on tour, Deacon finds his purpose in music thanks to the help of Pam, a backup singer in Luke’s band and country music star Sara Evans performs "Put My Heart Down" with Luke. Later, Scarlett befriends an unlikely new friend.

Watch a sneak peek video of Luke's performance with Sara Evans below:



And here's a Juliette-Avery sneak peek:



Nashville stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O'Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Will Chase as Luke Wheeler, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Oliver Hudson as Jeff Fordham, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad and Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad.

Guest starring are Chaley Rose as Zoey Dalton, Aubrey Peeples as Layla Grant, Ed Amatrudo as Glenn Goodman, David Alford as Bucky Dawes, Brette Taylor as Pam York, Derek Hough as Noah West, Alexa Penavega as Kiley Brenner, Laura Benanti as Sadie Stone, Ric Reitz as Dr. Richards, Mykelti Williamson as Terry, Sara Evans as herself, Amy Robach as herself and Robin Roberts as herself.

"Nobody Said It Was Going to be Easy" was written by Taylor Hamra and directed by Thomas Carter.

Nashville is executive produced by Dee Johnson (Boss, The Good Wife), Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise), and Steve Buchanan.

RELATED:
* 21 Years After Debuting as Lucky Spencer, Jonathan Jackson's Star is Still on the Rise