Rayna James has had a successful country-music career, but lately her popularity has started to fade. Her record label believes the solution is to have her open for up-and-comer Juliette Barnes on tour, but Juliette is a schemer and wants nothing more than to steal Rayna's spotlight. Rayna thinks her real chance is in another young woman, undiscovered songwriter Scarlett O'Connor. While Rayna struggles with her career, her father is busy messing with her private life, encouraging her husband to run for election to be mayor of Nashville - against her wishes.
With Juliette's starring role in the Patsy Cline bio-pic, she is at an all-time career high but is hitting a personal low. Avery, separated from Juliette, tends to baby Cadence in Ohio.
Juliette breaks down during a talkshow appearance. Rayna is determined to show the world that Highway 65 is not just a vanity project, and devises a plan to make a big signing.
A second aneurysm leaves Beverly brain dead and Deacon consumed with guilt. Juliette continues a destructive pattern of behavior, pushing Avery to make a heart-wrenching decision.
Rock star Markus Keen makes demands on Rayna, Layla and Jeff get into a lover's quarrel, and Jeff arranges for a journalist to shadow Juliette on tour.
Rayna pushes back on Layla's romantic relationship with Jeff. Maddie joins Colt on Luke's tour, giving the teens opportunities for more freedom than Maddie can handle...
Juliette gets into a brawl with a fan that goes viral, and Jeff sees damage control as an opening for his own career. Markus butts heads with Rayna - can they still work tohether?
Rayna's concerns about Deacon's business venture with an old friend threatens their relationship. Luke's relationship with his son is on the line following recent events.
Rayna wants to turn down Sony's contract offer for Maddie to be a solo artist and finds family life distracting her from her work with Markus. Luke is desperate to regain Colt's trust.
Rayna's new artist, Markus Keen, causes trouble for her when he scraps a song on his new album one week before its release. Is Deacon part of the solution or the problem?
It's a big morning for Markus Keen when Good Morning America comes to Nashville to broadcast a concert in support of his new album launch, but Markus finds he's anything but ready...
When Deacon and Rayna are ambushed by paparazzi after their intimate wedding rehearsal dinner, Deacon's hot-headed reaction casts a pall on their plans and forces a change of venue.
Luke recruits his old friend Riff Bell to join him on tour. Newcomer Vita arrives at The Beverly, but while she convinces Deacon and Rayna she deserves a shot, Frankie has his doubts.
Luke starts questioning his decision to bring Riff Bell on tour; Deacon and Frankie butt heads over Vita; Frankie makes a destructive decision.
Juliette Barnes returns to Nashville after receiving treatment for postpartum depression and finds herself at a critical crossroads. Layla courts a country-music superstar to secure an opening slot...
The Exes find navigating their newfound fame tricky when they go out on the road with Autumn Chase. Maddie continues to grow closer to Cash, causing tension with Deacon.
Luke has tour problems. Maddie worries Rayna and Deacon. Juliette feels threatened. And Autumn causes trouble.
Rayna and Teddy reconnect for the benefit of bringing Maddie home and avoiding court. Luke goes on a talk show to try to amp up Will's career again.
Tension arises between Scarlett and Gunnar over their past while doing an interview. Luke's good intentions backfire.
Rayna makes a final effort to protect her eldest daughter from the perils that befall young artists. Scarlett grows wary of Gunnar's budding friendship with Autumn Chase.
Gunnar gets to perform with Elton John. Rayna and Deacon reflect on their relationship. Scarlett does some soul searching.
Juliette has to decide how to publicly address what really happened regarding Jeff's death. Rayna takes dire action when she finds out who Maddie has encountered.