When the life of a TV show depend so much on ratings and media buzz it’s hard to remember TV shows are more than just a line in a financial report. ABC’s Nashville is defiantly more than that! In fact, with the way Nashville inspire and make a difference in the lives of many of its viewers, it sometimes feels as if it’s not just more than a line but that it’s also more than just a TV show. Here are few of these stories. What’s yours? 

About this blog

Whenever someone ask me why I love Nashville I tell them about the concept of the show, the unique characters, the fantastic music, the respect for the songwriting community in Nashville (and in general), the feminist take on things, the love stories,the combination between dry humor and raw emotions,  Connie Britton and lots of other things.

But then I stop. Then, I become quiet for a moment and change the answer because I know it’s all surface. Then, instead of keep blubbering about all the “details” I start talking about something else. I start talking about THE reason.

That reason ,for me, and the thing that makes me love this show so much and find it so special  is that Nashville is a good show. By good I don’t just refer to the quality of the show but to the essence of it. Nashville is a labor of love for the people who create it and I don’t know how they do it but it comes across. In. Every. Single. Frame.

They love music, they love the characters, they love the city (and all evidences show that also each other) and we ,the viewers,  feel it while watching. When I watch Nashville, I see creativity and constant attempt to try new things all the time. Sometimes it works brilliantly and sometimes it doesn’t but the spirit of creativity and love is still there and it’s simply inspiring. It makes me not just root for my favorite characters and my favorite couple Rayna and Deacon forever y’all but also for the show itself. Moreover, it makes me root for myself, because watching something like that on-screen, especially when the subject is artists and realizing dreams, makes me wonder about my own life and about the things I do to make MY dreams come true.

So what I tell that person (who probably by this moment regret asking me) is that letting Nashville into your heart means letting a very good and vibrant energy in.That energy enable great things to happen. These things happen not because the show is mystical in any way (it’s not!) but because by opening your eyes and heart to a new world, the Nashville universe, and its “good vibes” it reconnects you to the creative and often playful parts in yourself and makes you feel that you’re a part of something bigger than yourself and like so many of the characters on the show, makes you want to become the best version of yourself.

I know that watching Nashville already changed my life in many delightful and unexpected ways.

I also know that I’m not alone in it. Far from it. So recently I asked two of Nashville’s fans to write and share their stories. The stories differ from one another in many ways but there’s one thing in common and that’s the fact that Nashville set them both on a journey that took (and still taking) them far from where they started and even if they intended it or not, they are better because of it.

Nashville returns with a new episode on Wednesday, November 12, 10/9c

1. It Felt Like Coming Home – Tyana 

The more I saw (Nashville, the city) the more I wanted to see more. Who knew that one TV show can introduce me to so many great things and to such an incredible place? And they said TV wasn’t good for me!

I have never felt like I fit in. I’m sure everyone has had that feeling at one point or another. But I also have always felt like I don’t fit in my country. I live in Holland, but I don’t feel Dutch. Somehow since I was a child I had this dream of going to the USA. Walk down Hollywood Boulevard, seeing all the stars there, visit the Grand Canyon.

Maybe it had something to do with being a TV junkie from a small age or my mom teaching us English so early on and me picking that up even faster from all that TV at the same time.

Three years ago I (finally) went to the US for the first time and from the second I set one foot on the ground out of the plane I felt at home. Well, almost at home since the first city I visited, New York, was nice but turned out to be far too much like Europe for my taste. There were also some other places that weren’t the best fit for me but it all changed once I got to Nashville. There, I felt completely at home and that changed my life. What initially brought me there was an amazing TV show called Nashville and for that I’m eternally grateful.

My first visit to Nashville was a result of a spontaneous crazy decision I made.

You see, when the show first aired I was already a big fan of Chip Esten and had lots of online friends through the ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’ fandom.

My first crazy decision was to celebrate my birthday in Oregon with one of them. My second was making a two days detour to Nashville and meet there with another friend just because I suddenly found out Chip was about to make his début at the Bluebird Café. Being at the Bluebird, watching Chip perform live there and meeting him afterwards was a chance of a lifetime. But there was more to it. Much more.

I was only in tow for two days (during an ice storm) but the TV show introduced me to so many new and exciting places, such as the Bluebird, so I knew these two days wouldn’t be enough; I just HAD to see more!

And so I did.

My second crazy decision was that at the end of my trip I went back to Nashville for another two days. Together with my friend I walked to the city and visited places recommended by the cast as well as places I remembered from the show. That’s how, for example, I ended up at the Shelby Deyna bridge and took a picture at the spot Rayna and Deacon once stood, had dinner at Rolf and Daughters and had a drink at Tootsies.

But it was still not enough. The more I saw the more I wanted to see more. Who knew that one TV show can introduce me to so many great things and to such an incredible place? And they said TV wasn’t good for me!

The following year I decided to go back. Once again, it was during the time of my birthday. I just couldn’t think of a better birthday present for myself.

This time I went for a week; by myself. I stayed with a lovely couple in East Nashville and explored the city and it was amazing.

Every time something seemed to go wrong, it turned out even better. I met incredible people everywhere I went, saw live music, tried out amazing food, attended a Nashville viewing party, saw them once film the show and even ended up sitting in Bongo Java in East Nashville for four hours, just relaxing. I don’t do that. I get bored easily. But there, it all felt right. So many amazing surprises took place, once in a lifetime moments.

To me it felt right, like puzzle pieces fit into place. There is just something in the air in Nashville that I just can’t explain, I really can’t.

All I know that it’s been 9 months since that trip and I sit at my so-called home and feel homesick to…Nashville.

It seems that even the city itself did not want me to leave. There was an unexpected snowstorm that hit Nashville the day of my flight home. That delayed my flight and made me miss my connection. I had to go back to work so I looked for ways to head home as fast as I can but eventually ended up in Dallas airport for 22 hours because. When I eventually did get home I found out I actually could have stayed that extra day in Nashville because apparently I told my workplace that I’ll stay an extra day …weird, ha?

Maybe it’s also a coincidence but I believe in fate and I believe that place and I clicked and I know that it would not have happened if it wasn’t for ABC’s Nashville.

I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Right now I’m focusing on myself and building my future. But I know I’ll be back. It might take a year or maybe even five. But I see myself going back there and making it my permanent home.

I’ve been to more cities, in other states. But nowhere was as special as Nashville. I will never forget it. If you haven’t been, honestly I recommend it. It’s gorgeous. The atmosphere is unforgettable and the live music is everywhere. I know exactly why it’s the place to go in the USA. And when I get the chance, I will go back in a heartbeat.

2. Just Sit Tight and Enjoy – Agustina

This journey that we began almost a year ago has brought me so many blessings into my life. Now, I can say I know people from all over the globe, because that is how it feels like. Caring and loving people whom which have so many things in common, not just the show; but also real things from real life.

One of the things I enjoy most in my life is watching TV. Good TV. Two years ago I found myself at home (very far from Nashville, Tennessee)  on a Friday night in front of the TV. What was on was a rerun of the first couple of episodes of some show. I didn’t really have a clue what this show was about and at first even mistaken it for a movie, but I watched it anyway.

I was especially captivated by two these two people, one was a really hot man (with uneven facial hair) and the other was a gorgeous redhead woman. They sat on stools in the middle of a small music club called The Bluebird Café and sang to each other the most heart-breaking song I have ever listened to in my entire life. That in itself says a lot because other that watching TV I really love music. REALLY love!

After watching the show I did some research. I found out the people I was captivated by were Charles Esten and Connie Britton; I found out that the song they sang was a ‘The Civil Wars’ song called ‘No One Will Ever Love You’ and I found out that the show I just watched really wasn’t a movie but a TV series called Nashville.

From that moment on so many wonderful and unexpected things have happened and I feel there is still more to come.

For starter, I begun listening to new music since Nashville opened to me a great new world – The country music world. Yes, I was familiar with classic artists like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, but through the show I discovered so many new artists. Some of them were really new and unfamiliar artists and the others were just unfamiliar to me. Learning and knowing about new music is something I love and enjoy and Nashville gave me plenty of opportunities to do so.

In order to learn more about the show and share my love for it I also became more interested in how this Twitter work. Yep, now I’m a big Twitter user but before Nashville I didn’t even know what a hashtag was!  (A bit like Connie Britton if I may add).

With that brand new world, came also brand new people. It’s not just the amazing cast, writers or crew from this show that I discovered on twitter, but also people who are crazy like me. People that allow me to freak out about so many things and let’s face it ladies (yes, you know I’m talking about y’all!) we freak out quite a lot, every single day and I just love it!

And the Nashville fangirl blessings just kept coming. One day, out of the blue, one of these crazy ladies asked me if I was interested in joining a Nashville fans group in Whatsapp. And guess what? I said yes!

This journey that we began almost a year ago has brought me so many blessings into my life. Now, I can say I know people from all over the globe, because that is how it feels like. Caring and loving people whom which have so many things in common, not just the show; but also real things from real life. Sadly for me I still haven’t yet had the honor and pleasure of meeting them in person (although some of them did meet already) but I know in my heart someday, somehow it will happen.

So… Thank you! Thank you to all that people that make Nashville. Actors, crew and writers. Thank you so much for this little getaway I get from life that actually expand my world. Thank you for the place where  I can just sit back and enjoy. I need this!

Sometimes we discuss in the group if Nashville is realistic enough or not. I don’t really know what ‘realistic’ or ‘realistic enough’ means. All I know that it’s real just in the right amount for me to be entertained, enjoy every minute, share and discuss it with people I’ve grown to love, and to get inspired by and get a little more strength to deal with the reality of life. Who needs more? Don’t know about you, but that’s realistic enough for me!

Can you identify with these stories? Do you have one of your own? Share with us