'Nashville' Returns Tonight (March Spoilers)

(ABC/ Mark Levine)

March Episode Preview

Episode #411: “FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS”

Wednesday, March 16 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

It’s the wedding viewers have longed for when Deacon and Rayna tie the knot, complete with captivating music performances by series regulars Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio, Lennon Stella and Maisy Stella as well as cameos by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts and singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale portraying themselves. When the loving couple are ambushed by paparazzi after their intimate rehearsal dinner, Deacon’s hot-headed reaction casts a pall on the plans and forces a change of venue. Meanwhile, wedding guest Avery is struggling to keep up with the lies Juliette is forcing him to message to press in her absence


Episode #412: “HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE FREE”

 Wednesday, March 23 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

A familiar face is back on the Nashville music scene when Luke recruits his old friend Riff Bell (played by Tony Award-winning actor, singer, musician Steve Kazee) to join him on tour. While the duo excitedly starts planning Riff’s return to the stage, newcomer Vita arrives at The Beverly, but while she convinces Deacon and Rayna she deserves a shot, Frankie has his doubts. In the end, more questions than answers remain.



Episode #413: “IF I COULD DO IT ALL AGAIN”

Wednesday, March 30 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Luke and Riff are excitedly planning their upcoming tour, but Luke soon realizes he may have moved too quickly in the decision to have Riff (played by Tony Award-winning actor, singer, musician Steve Kazee) on the road again. Meanwhile, Deacon and Frankie clash about Vita, with Frankie making a damaging decision that could change everything.

'Nashville' Sneak Peek: Jade St. John Steals Juliette's Spotlight

Christina Aguilera plays Jade St. John on Nashville. Photo Credit: ABC/Mark Levine

Christina Aguilera continues her run as Jade St. John in this week's new episode of Nashville, airing Wednesday, April 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

In the episode, titled "The Storm Has Just Begun, the brightest stars of Nashville have gathered in support of Teddy's music education initiative, "Note By Note," where Juliette plans her return to the spotlight - and Layla finds herself thrust into it - alongside Jade St. John.

At the gala, Rayna, Deacon, Maddie and Daphne get ready to take the stage and perform, but before they can, Deacon receives the call he's been waiting for containing some life-changing news.

In the sneak peek video below, Jade steals Juliette's spotlight at the event's auction when she bids for Layla:

'Nashville' Sneak Peek: Christina Aguilera Guest Stars as Jade St. John

Christina Aguilera plays Jade St. John on Nashville. Photo Credit: ABC/Mark Levine

Christina Aguilera guest stars in this week's new episode of Nashville, airing Wednesday, April 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

In the episode, titled "Nobody Knows But Me, with the arrival of his former fiancée in Nashville, Jeff finds himself face-to-face with Jade St. John (Aguilera). A powerhouse pop-star in Nashville on tour, Jeff is forced to revisit his past and work with the woman who once played a large role in both his personal and professional lives.

Meanwhile, Deacon continues to cope with his cancer diagnosis – a secret that weighs heavily on his family — especially Maddie, who struggles with the news herself.

While Juliette is eager to get back to work following the birth of her daughter, she quickly finds balancing motherhood and a music career challenging to say the least, while Avery struggles with his own responsibilities and his Triple Exes bandmates.

In the sneak peek video below, Jade St. John performs "Coming For You":

'Nashville' Sneak Peek: Deacon Needs a Transplant

Clare Bowen, Charles Esten and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson in Nashville.

Deacon comes to terms with his liver cancer on tonight's new episode of Nashville, airing at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

In the episode, titled "I've Got Reasons To Hate You," rumors start to fly surrounding Rayna and Luke's breakup but Rayna's determined not to let them bring her down and finds a way to return to the public eye on her own terms. Elsewhere, Juliette's pregnancy is starting to make her stir crazy and she's eager to get her career back on track, but at what cost? Meanwhile, Scarlett plans a surprise for Deacon, but it doesn't pan out as she had hoped.

Later, Gunnar travels to Austin to mend fences with his estranged nephew and Teddy stops by Maddie and Daphne's recording session at school where he unexpectedly runs into Jeff.

In the sneak peek video below, Deacon tells his sister about his cancer in what may be the worst family reunion ever.

'Nashville' Sneak Peek: Luke and Rayna Gear Up for Their Big Day

Connie Britton stars in Nashville as Rayna Jaymes.  Photo Credit: ABC

On this week's Nashville winter finale episode ("First To Have A Second Chance"), airing Wednesday, December 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, Luke and Rayna gear up for their big day.

When Luke finally returns home after wrapping up his Moon or Shine Tour just days before he and Rayna tie the knot, Rayna starts to feel conflicted about leaving their kids to go out on the road again, especially after she discovers that Luke has been making parenting decisions without her. Meanwhile, Will invites Layla on tour in an effort to keep her close but when he sees her flirting with his boss at a party, he begins to feel like he's losing control of their situation. Then, Teddy uses his Mayoral powers to track down a recent flame and Sadie crosses paths with an unexpected ex. Later, after getting some advice from his mom, Avery makes an unexpected decision.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

'Nashville' Sneak Peek: Deacon is Furious and Ignoring Rayna's Calls

Rayna invites Deacon to join during the filming of her Christmas special.  Photo Credit: ABC

On this week's new Nashville episode ("Two Sides to Every Story"), airing Wednesday, December 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, Connie Britton and Will Chase duet on "Baby It's Cold Outside."

Rayna continues to pull out all stops in self-promotion, this time by agreeing to do a televised Christmas special from her home, for charity, with Luke and the children. When Rayna invites Deacon to join the filming, things get awkward fast – her magazine cover story has reverberations for her personal life. Meantime, it's Nashville's Winterfest, and Zoey, Gunnar and Avery have an opportunity to perform. With Scarlett's coaching, Terry (Mykelti Williamson) sings for the crowd and blows them away but cannot handle the limelight. Will and Layla go to Winterfest and each find solace but separately.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

'Nashville' CMA Awards Sneak Peek: And the Winner Is...

Luke and Rayna are both up for Single of the Year on tonight's new Nashville.

On this week's new Nashville episode ("You're Lookin' At Country"), airing Wednesday, November 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, not everyone is country music's biggest night of the year at the 48th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville.

Up for a total of 11 awards between them, Rayna and Luke's evening begins with an unfortunate hitch when Rayna stumbles upon Luke's pre-nuptial agreement documents, causing for some friction between them. Later, Avery's parents are in town for the show as Avery is nominated for a CMA Award. What should be a lovely reunion takes a turn when Avery introduces them to Juliette. Meanwhile, Gunnar and Zoey's relationship is tested and Deacon and Scarlett watch the awards from home.

Trisha Yearwood, The Band Perry and Joe Nichols guest star as themselves. Eric Close directs.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

'Nashville' Sneak Peek: Rayna Performs on 'Dancing with the Stars'

Rayna performs on Dancing with the Stars on tonight's new Nashville.

On this week's new Nashville, airing Wednesday, November 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, Rayna performs on Dancing with the Stars but her increased media exposure has a cost.

In the episode, titled "I'm Coming Home To You," Rayna's campaign to raise Highway 65's sales and profile finds her performing her latest single on Dancing with the Stars. But when she agrees to be shadowed by a reporter all weekend for the cover of a magazine, just as Luke hopes to rekindle the romance, she realizes she may have pushed her public access too far. Juliette struggles to prepare for motherhood alone, and Will and Layla brace themselves for the premiere of their reality show.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

'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:

'Nashville' Preview: Juliette Tells Avery She's Pregnant in a Text Message

Avery (Jonathan Jackson) and Glenn (Ed Amatrudo) in ABC's Nashville. Photo Credit: ABC/Mark Levine

On this week's new Nashville, Juliette finally tells Avery about her pregnancy, in a text message ("I'm pregnant. It's yours.").

In the episode, titled "Road Happy," Juliette frets over hiding her pregnancy before filming a sex scene with movie star Noah West (Derek Hough). Rayna flies her kids to meet her on tour, but learns that her increased fame now that she's engaged to Luke is making Daphne feel entitled, while Maddie is simply miserable. Kiley (Alexa PenaVega) tells Gunnar she's leaving town, Will starts making careless mistakes in his personal life, and Scarlett is inspired by a homeless man (Mykelti Williamson) she meets while songwriting.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

'Nashville' Preview: Juliette Opens Up to Rayna, and Deacon Has an Admirer on Tour

Connie Britton stars as Rayna Jaymes on ABC's Nashville. Photo Credit: ABC/Mark Levine

On this week's new Nashville, Juliette opens up to Rayna, and Deacon has an admirer on tour.

In the episode, titled "I Feel Sorry For Me," Rayna goes after Sadie Stone as a new artist to sign to her record label Highway 65. In order to woo her, Rayna invites Sadie out for a girl’s day on the town, which she thinks may help to seal the deal. Juliette continues to try her best at hiding her pregnancy but when she starts to have stomach pains and mood swings, she has to let down her wall. Later, an assertive and sultry backup singer takes a liking to Deacon but his down in the dumps attitude does nothing but shut her out. Then, Zoey witnesses odd behavior between Scarlett and Gunnar and lets her inner jealousy get the best of her. She tries to mend things at the Bluebird but they end up backfiring terribly. Meanwhile, Avery continues to use alcohol to drown his sorrows, which only takes him to new lows, and Jeff has ulterior motives as he pursues Teddy and the girls.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

'Nashville' Season 3 Premieres Tonight, Features 3 Live Performances

The third-season premiere of Nashville will be highlighted by three live performances within the episode—each performed twice—once for east coast and once for west coast. Real-life superstar duo Florida Georgia Line will perform one of their songs, Chris Carmack (Will Lexington) will sing "If It's Love," written by the Striking Matches, and Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne) will sing a song he co-wrote with Deanna Carter, "I Know How to Love You Now," on the Season Premiere of Nashville, Wednesday, September 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

In the episode, titled "That's Me Without You," a torn Rayna must choose not just between two men, but two directions that her life could take. Juliette, struggling to repair her relationship with Avery, auditions for the leading role of a film biopic. Meanwhile, Scarlett, determined to start fresh, embarks on a road trip home and bonds with an unexpected stowaway, and Will and Layla manage the fallout from his on-camera confession.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

'Nashville' Docu-Web Series 'On the Record' Returns with Charles Esten and Deana Carter

Deana Carter and Charles Esten.

ABC Music Lounge's Nashville-inspired docu-web series, On the Record, is back with the original song, "I Know How To Love You Now," written by Deana Carter and Charles Esten. The tune, which is also available now on iTunes and the ABC Music Lounge, is featured in the season three premiere of Nashville, Wednesday, September 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

In a very special On The Record Charles Esten and fellow singer/songwriter, Deana Carter (“Strawberry Wine”, “We Danced Anyway,” and “How Do I Get There”) get together for an intimate discussion on the song they co-wrote for Nashville's season premiere, “I Know How To Love You Now.” During this week’s OTR, the artists and friends talk about how they came up with the song, how the lyrics were initially introduced during a pivotal moment during the season two finale, and how the song ultimately ended up contributing to the overall story line.

“Co-writing, you don’t always know if you’re going to get with the person someone you can really trust to lay your deep secret stuff out there with,” said Carter.

'Nashville' Season 3 Premiere to Feature Two Live Performances

Chris Carmack and Charles Esten.

The Season 3 premiere of Nashville will include a live musical event that will weave throughout the September 24 episode, according to Entertainment Tonight.

The unprecedented episode will feature two live performances broadcast directly from the Bluebird Café set. Will Lexington (Chris Carmack) singing "If It's Love" written by The Striking Matches, while Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten) will perform "I Know How To Love You Now," co-written by Esten and Deana Carter.

The studio tracks and live rendition of the songs will be immediately available for fans to download on iTunes following the episode.

This marks the first time in TV history a scripted drama has attempted to include live performances like these.

Nashville's third season premieres Wednesday, September 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.