Nashville (2012–2018): Season 2, Episode 17 - We've Got Things to Do - full transcript

Previously on "Nashville"...
You have jeopardized my label.

- Are you firing me?
- Yeah.

I need a label that'll let me be me.

I think I might be able
to help you with that.

Avery: Gunnar's turning
this into a full-time job.

You can't be mad at a guy
for being enthusiastic.

Have you ever worked as
a backup singer before?

Mnh-mnh.

Honey, come back when
you got your tools ready.

Anybody can tell there's
something going on between you two.

What are you doing with her?



I want to kill it as a country singer.

She helps me get there.

You want to stay with me tonight?

I got someone waiting for me at home.

["Carry you home" plays]

♪ When you can't walk ♪

♪ And there's chains 'round your soul ♪

♪ When the burden's too heavy ♪

♪ And you run out of road ♪

♪ You're praying out loud ♪

♪ As you stumble through
the rain and snow ♪

♪ I'll walk out and find you ♪

♪ I'll carry you home ♪

♪ I'll carry you home ♪



♪ I'll carry you home ♪

♪ So rest your heart easy ♪

♪ I'll carry you home ♪

♪ So rest your heart easy ♪

♪ I'll carry you home ♪

[song ends]

Phenomenal, Zoey. Just... Phenomenal.

Thank you.

We're bringing back our top choices

later next week to sing with the talent.

We'll have that list together
in about a day or two.

So keep your phone close.

Scarlett: Hey. How was the tour?

Well, my last motel didn't have any heat.

Good news is, all the
roaches stayed in the walls

- to keep warm.
- Well, that's nice.

Living the dream.

How come you're not
working with Liam tonight?

Oh. Turns out he can only
produce three tracks on my album.

So, h-he got called
away to another project.

It's all right. I'm gonna keep writing.

It'll get done one way or the other.

Night.

Hey, Scar?

Look, I know he's a great producer,

but... For what it's worth...

I've never been that big a fan of Liam's.

[Chuckles]

Night. Night.

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

[humming]

Hey, that doesn't look anything

like a presentation on
the Battle of Liberty Gap.

I'm working on a new song.

Want to play it for Deacon tomorrow.

Dad, I just finished my math
problems. Can you check them?

We don't even have school tomorrow.

Stop being such a nerd.

Yeah, honey. Just, can you give
me a sec? I'll check 'em out.

[Sighing] Honey, look.

You got a "C" in history right now.

Oh, my... I get it.

Things have been tough around here lately.

But if your hobbies are getting
in the way of your homework...

Music isn't a hobby to me!

Well, it's gonna have to be for now.

School needs to be the priority.

Liberty Gap. Make some progress.

You'll get this back for your lesson, okay?

Hey.

Ah! Just the two people I wanted to see.

Hey.

Look, I know things weren't exactly smooth

leading up to our last show,

but I don't think we
should give up on the band.

Not smooth?

Man, you were a complete...

Okay, I was intense.

You were flaky.

But you got to admit...
when we got up on that stage,

- we kinda killed it.
- That's true. We did.

Man, if we play our cards right, we could
be doing a show like that every week.

Look, I've done the band thing before.

And I don't see this ending in
anything other than bad blood.

Better to [Sighs] stay
friends while we still can.

He's crazy, right?

I don't know. Maybe we should
just keep this casual...

you know, play when we can.

We've all got stuff going on.

This is something we should do for fun.

Fun... right.

I'll be sure to bring the balloon animals

next time we play... w-whenever that is.

[Door opens]

Buck: Welcome to Highway 65.

We're really excited about this.

- Juliette: Hello!
- Rayna: We're really excited!

- Have a seat, guys.
- We are excited.

Y'all know my sister, Tandy.

- Glenn: Yes.
- Also CFO of Highway 65.

Okay. Should we get started?

Yes. I want to hit the ground running.

Let's make a big splash
about me landing at Highway 65

and put out a digital download

of "Don't Put Dirt on my Grave Just Yet."

You mean the song that
basically flipped off

the country-music establishment?

That's why I said "digital download"

and not "single on country radio."

Well, I think that you came...
To sign on with Highway 65

because you wanted us to
help you win back country.

And I do think that what we should do

is actually take some time

and write and create an album

that really is gonna
redefine you as an artist.

Okay. I can do that.

And you're still touring, right?

Yes. We still have dates
up in the pacific northwest.

All right. So, use it as
a... as a charm offensive.

Really get out there and get those fans

who are still behind you talking
about you, spreading the word.

You know, now's a really good time

to bring up that point about the tour.

Buck: Um, right.

Will Lexington's album is
dropping against Rayna's.

Basically, you're hosting the competition.

Uh-huh.

So, what would you like me to do?

Do you want me to... Drop him?

Well, let's put it this way...

what's good for the label is good for you.

Is there anywhere we can speak privately?

Don't mind my sister.

She's just trying prove
her value to the company.

Have a seat.

[Inhales sharply]

Look, I'll drop Will from my tour,

and I'll use it as an excuse
to get rid of Layla, too.

And I will make a great album.

But I haven't heard any plans

about how we're gonna
announce you signing me.

I mean, the Rayna Jaymes stamp of approval

will probably help speed
things up a little bit for me.

Well, I think we should
be strategic about it.

Right now, my association
with you could hurt me.

In six weeks from now,

it could be very helpful for you,

with a calculated rollout of my album.

What's your rollout plan?

Well, there's a drop party tonight

for the first single off the album,

and tomorrow night, I'm
playing at the Opry, and...

Party, huh?

Mm. I didn't get invited.

Well, you're welcome to come.

In fact, I think it'd
be good for you to come.

Might as well start getting back
into everybody's good graces.

But let's do the label a favor

and just... Just hold off

on talking about our
involvement with each other

just for a while.

[Scoffs]

Man, I wish I'd known

that my Highway 65 signing
bonus was a gag order.

Just be patient and trust me... please.

♪

- Everything okay?
- Yeah. Why?

I don't know. Just...

You didn't eat that
dinner I made last night,

and you sort of snuck
outta bed this morning.

Oh, well, I just didn't want to wake you.

And dinner was delicious.

I just had a huge lunch
with the partners, so...

You sure that's it?

Yeah.

Look.

I know I've been gone a whole lot.

I'm gonna talk to my promoter,

see if I can get that Great
Lakes circuit pushed back

so I can come off the road a little bit,

spend some time with you.

That sounds nice.

Good.

I should go.

Okay.

[Knock on door] Maddie: Deacon?

Maddie. Come on in.

I wrote this new song
I want to play for you.

- Oh, yeah?
- Yes.

- I can't wait to hear it.
- Mm. Okay.

- Go get set up.
- All right.

You gonna hang out?

No. You got a second?

Sure. Yeah.

Look, uh, Maddie's grades
have been slipping a little,

so I'd appreciate it if you could try to be

a positive influence
where school is concerned.

Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah.

Great.

[Footsteps approach]

Hello.

Hello.

- See you later.
- See you.

Deacon: All right.

Okay. [Chuckles]

Dad, you can go, too.

Right.

Y'all have fun.

Layla: [Chuckling] Hey.

The lady at the store said
this would spice things up.

[Sighs]

[Chuckles]

[Chuckles]

[Chuckles nervously]

[Sighs] Why?

I mean, it's been a while.

I just thought if...

if you're bored, maybe this would help.

[Knock on door]

We don't need anything like this, okay?

Okay, yeah.

What the hell are you doing here?

Relax. I'm here to see Layla.

There he is... my new manager!

With a brilliant plan to
get me back on track, right?

- That's right.
- Whoa. Whoa. When did this happen?

Brent made a really
strong case for himself,

so I fired my old team.

So, what's the good news?

Well, um, there's some bad news first.

Just got off the phone with Glenn Goodman,

and Juliette's kicking you off the tour.

Both of you, actually.

Whoa. Hang on.

But your awesome new manager just heard

that someone fell out at
the Franklin theatre tonight.

You're gonna be the main event.

How do you know about my tour?

I haven't heard anything yet.

You will...

as soon as Edgehill finds a way
to give it some positive spin.

[Scoffs] [Chuckles]

Well...

I'm gonna fix this and
save them the trouble.

♪ Don't hide from me, darling ♪

♪ Oh, come find me ♪

♪ Ooooh ♪

[Song ends]

You've got three great tracks there.

Yeah.

You really do.

And we're gonna make an amazing album.

Um, I've got my eye on two producers

who I think would be wonderful for this.

'Course, neither one of
them is available right now,

so I'm thinking maybe...

Maybe you go back out
on tour for a little bit,

keep working on the word of mouth.

Oh.

Actually, I, um...

I would rather not go back
out on the road right now.

I really, really want to finish the album.

But I'm not sure I could trust

another stranger to produce it,

after what happened with Liam.

Okay.

Do you have somebody in mind

that you'd like to work with?

Yeah. His name is Avery Barkley.

He, uh, he produced the EP

that Deacon recorded at the Bluebird,

- and he's worked with Juliette Barnes.
- Ohh.

Um, I-I don't know if he'll
do it, but he's very good.

Those are great
credentials. So, talk to him.

You know, see if he's on board.

If he's on board, I'm on board.

Okay.

[Sighs] Oh, my gosh!

Hot off the presses.

Wow!

Thank you!

This is so cool.

[Chuckling] All right.
Can you sign it for me?

[Chuckling] Of course. Yeah. Sure.

- Thanks.
- All right.

Um... Tell you what, though.

You keep, uh, writing songs

like the one you brought me today,

you'll be signing one
for me before too long.

[Chuckles]

Could you, uh, try to
explain that to my dad?

What?

That I'm good at this...

So that maybe he can get off
my back about school a little?

Education is important.

Now you sound just like him.

Well, maybe that's because we
both want what's best for you.

Well, I don't think
taking my guitar away is.

Maybe he's holding on a
little bit tighter right now,

but you got to remember,
he just lost someone...

someone that he loves.

Grief is a tricky thing.

I think maybe you should just give
him a little slack right about now.

"To Maddie, you make
me smile. Love, Deacon."

[Knock on door]

Hey.

[Door closes] I, uh,
hope I'm not interrupting.

Teddy.

Listen [Clears throat] I'm, uh...

I'm setting up a victim-offender
reconciliation program

for the county, and I think
you should head the task force.

Are you using my personal tragedy

to try to spend time with me?

No.

No, I just... I just want
the best person for the job.

Then I will get names of qualified people.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm quite busy.

Can we just at least
talk about what happened?

It was a mistake.

I'm with Deacon.

And I get that we're
gonna bump into each other

because of Maddie, but...

You shouldn't be here.

Please go.

[Sighs]

[Door opens]

Juliette: I don't know, Avery.

It's like they think I'm deadlier
than a truck-stop hot dog.

Forget that I ever told you
I signed with Highway 65.

[Doorbell rings]

And whatever you do, don't
go spreading it around.

Anyway, just give me a call back,

let me know if you're still coming
to the party with me tonight.

All right. Bye.

Sorry. Is this a bad time?

No. Come on in.

Look, if you're here to ask me

to reconsider your spot on my tour,

I'm sorry... I can't.

[Both sigh]

Look, I...

I know you don't care much for Layla,

but I thought you and I
were getting on just fine.

No. It is nothing personal.
Believe me, it's not.

Well, then, what the hell is it?

Sorry. It's just...

I'm about to drop an album.

I need this tour.

I need to be more than a one-hit wonder.

I've given up too much to let that happen.

I know. I know. It su...

Is it something I did?

Something I didn't do?

No. No. I... you're great.

I wish I could keep you. Believe me.

Then why can't you? It's
your decision, isn't it?

Look, I don't know what to tell you, okay?

Edgehill dumped me, I'm dumping them back.

And I'm not gonna go
boosting their album sales

by promoting their artists on my tour.

I'm sorry.

[Scoffs]

Yeah, me too.

'Cause I really thought we were friends.

["It all slows down" plays]

[Cheers and applause]

♪ There's too many things
that are taking our time ♪

♪ We're running around
trying to make a dime ♪

♪ I see it in your eyes that
you're growing tired, baby ♪

♪ I know I am ♪

- Hey. You're will Lexington.
- Yeah.

Can I get a picture with you?

- Yeah, sure!
- Oh, cool.

♪ you're running around
trying to catch a flight ♪

Awesome!

Can't wait to send this to my older sister.

She was, like, a year behind
you at St. Xavier in Lubbock.

Maybe you know her... uh, Sunny Green?

Nah, nah. Doesn't ring a bell. Sorry.

She always talks about you and some dude...

uh, Tyler something.

Said you two had a band in high school.

So cool that you're,
like, on the radio now.

Whatever happened to him?

I don't know. Uh, we lost touch.

Excuse me. That's my
girlfriend singing right there.

Thanks.

♪ You make everything make sense
in this crazy world of mine ♪

♪ So, baby, while
we've got this moment ♪

♪ Let's take our sweet... ♪

[Knock on door]

Hey.

Hey.

Uh, sorry to just show up like this. Uh...

Oh... You kidding? It's nice to see you.

- Come on in.
- Thanks.

You've been kind of M.I.A.
Since we recorded Deacon's E.P.

Mnh.

- How you been?
- Good.

Um, and busy working on the album,

which is actually why I'm here.

My producer and I parted ways,

and I need to bring somebody
in who I really trust

to help me finish it.

Any chance you're available?

For producing your album?

Mm-hmm. Don't look too excited.

[Sighs] I am. [Chuckles] I am.

It's just that, uh, you know,

Juliette and I are dating now,

and [Inhales sharply] might
get a little complicated.

I'm so done with
complicated, it's not funny.

And plus, I've already sold you to Rayna.

Hey. There you are.

- Hey!
- They said you were on break.

- This is a nice surprise.
- Yeah.

Look, um, I've been trying to write,

but something's bugging me.

You seemed so into this
band thing at first,

and now you're saying we've
all got stuff going on.

So, uh, what do you have going on?

Okay. I'm gonna tell you something.

I've been waiting for
it to be a sure thing,

but yesterday, I went on an audition

for a backup singing
gig, and I think I got it.

Wait. Wait. Wait. So,
you went to an audition?

A few, actually, but this was
the first one that went well.

I didn't tell you about
the others 'cause...

I didn't want you know if I'd failed.

So, you want to sing professionally?

I don't know.

But I don't want to be a waitress forever.

And I like to sing, so
why not get paid for it?

Yeah. Right.

I mean, that's... that's what we all want.

So... so tell me about it. What's the gig?

[Chuckles] Some national tour.

Oh.

They won't tell me who it's
for unless I get a callback.

[Chuckling] National tour?

Wait. For how long?

Six months...

with an option to keep
me longer if they like me.

[Chuckles] At least I...

I get why you think you
won't have time for the band.

[Cheers and applause]

[Grunts]

That was great!

Thank you! Thank you!

And it's just the start. You know what?

Juliette dropping us is the best
thing that has ever happened,

because Brent has an amazing idea.

We're gonna headline our own tour.

Who is?

You and me.

Tonight was just about

getting sponsors, promoters
to see what's possible.

And this little lady killed it.

You guys aren't gonna
be selling out arenas,

but with the right backers,

a #laylanwill road show can
definitely fill the seats

at major clubs and theaters.

Yeah, I mean, plus, wouldn't you
rather be the star of your own show

than opening for some pariah
when your album's released?

Yeah, but you're
forgetting... my deal's 360.

Jeff's gonna have an opinion about this.

I'm, uh... I'm gonna try him again.

You almost ready? We should get going.

Yeah. I just have to do some jewelry.

Here. You want to hold those for me?

- Yes. [Chuckles]
- Thanks, babe.

And then I'll be right with you.

By the way, I heard you laid down
the law with Juliette today...

made her kick will Lexington off her tour.

Well, that was Tandy's brainchild.

Where'd you hear that?

Your good friend Jeff Fordham.

He wants me to take him out on mine.

[Sighs] I swear, Jeff Fordham might as well

just declare war against me.

I don't have to do it, you know.

Well, that's very sweet of you.

But as much as I would love
to screw over Jeff Fordham,

and as much as it kills
me that will bailed on me,

it's not up to me to tell
you what to do with your tour.

Hmm.

I guess that just means
I'm sleeping with the enemy.

- Oh, does it?
- Mnh.

Oh, let's, uh, let's see about that.

[Zipper opens] What are you doing?

- Where's this go?
- I thought we had to go.

You are the guest of honor,
and we can be fashionably late.

Girls! Come on! Let's go!

Okay, wait. Wait. Did...
did you do that to her?

No. She just copies me.

Unh-unh. No. Go back
upstairs and wash your faces.

- Why?
- Why?

Because you're too young for makeup,

and that is way too much for you.

- But, dad...
- No buts. Go.

Dad, it's not like this makeup

is getting in the way of my homework.

You know what? You got to be a better
example for your sister, all right?

How?! By acting like I'm 10?

I'm not a little kid anymore, dad.

Yeah, that's true.
You're right. You're not.

And you're also old enough
to stay home by yourself

while I take your sister to the party.

What?!

Dad, this is mom's big night.

Deacon's gonna be there!

And so will you when you
go clean that up a bit.

Go on.

[Sighs]

Yes, sir. Thank you.

[Cellphone beeps] Who was that?

Bucky Dawes.

With an offer from Rayna
to produce Scarlett's album.

How do Bucky and Rayna
even know who you are?

Uh, Scarlett said she suggested me.

Really?

So, Edgehill can offer you a
deal to produce anybody you want

and that's charity from me,

but if Scarlett does you
a favor, then that's okay?

[Chuckling] This is different.

How? How's...

I turned down my own imprint,

and she's sacrificing what, exactly?

No, she's in a jam.

I mean, this is me helping out a friend.

You have nothing to be jealous about.

Jealous? No, no, no. I'm not jealous.

I'm pissed!

Okay, then instead of
picking a fight with me,

- how about talking to me about it?
- Why?!

Why? So you can say one thing
and do the exact opposite?!

Like, you don't want to ride my coattails,

but you can grab onto
Scarlett's with both hands?

Okay, you know what? Now I'm pissed!

Yeah?

What? You're bailing on the party?

Good! Good!

That's one less person's feelings

I have to tiptoe around all night!

[Cheers and applause]

All right. Don't let
us stop the party, now.

Y'all keep going.

Hey! How are you?

Hi!

Honey, if your new song is
half as great as this party,

you're gonna have another gold
record on that wall pretty soon.

From your lips to God's ears.

Amen! [Laughs]

♪ But still you try
to keep me here, well ♪

♪ Is that just your pride? ♪

Here you go.

- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.

I'm so glad you're here.

- Yeah?
- Oh, yeah.

Thought I was gonna have
to get a sleeping bag

and camp out in your office to see you.

Not tonight. I'm all yours.

♪ Just a ball and chain ♪

Oh, gosh. She makes it look so easy.

Yeah, well, she's been
doing it a little while.

I remember back in the day, she used
to make me quiz her on who's who.

Maybe I should have done
that tonight. [Chuckles]

[Sighs]

I'm gonna go get some air.

See you in a minute.

♪ you push me away ♪

♪ but every time I turn my back ♪

♪ You're begging me to stay ♪

♪ then you leave me hanging on ♪

Hey. Ohh.

I'm so glad to see you.

Tonight will not be nearly
as fun if y'all weren't here.

[Chuckles] Where's Luke?

I don't know.

Oh, there he is. Come on, Maddie.

Uh, well, nice talking to you. [Chuckles]

- Youngsters. How are ya?
- Good.

- When'd y'all get here?
- Hi.

Wow. Congratulations on
all this. It's fantastic.

Oh, thanks.

Hey, look, I hate to bring this up tonight,

but I'm having a little
trouble with Maddie.

The only reason she's here tonight

is because this is a big night for you.

But I was eight seconds away
from grounding her earlier.

She's obsessed with the
music, the guitar lessons...

all to the exclusion of everything else.

If you have to draw a
line, I will back you up.

Same here. Thanks.

All right, well, look, enjoy.

And, uh, what time do you want
me to be back to get the girls?

Stay and have a drink, if you want.

Uh...

Yeah, you know what? Maybe I will do that.

- All right.
- All right, have fun.

Okay.

Well, at least I got to
use the front door for once.

[Chuckles] You didn't have to come at all.

Yes, I did. Rayna's right.

I'm done hiding out
from people who hate me.

The only way to win them back
is showing up and making nice.

Understood.

But you don't really seem to be
in the mood to make nice right now.

I think I know how to turn it on.

Hey, y'all! How are you?

- Good to see you.
- Man: Hey, Juliette.

When's the next time you go on tour?

Next week. Why? You want
to come see the show?

Yes. Yes.

Hey, guys.

- Hey!
- Hey, Deacon.

What's up, wheels up? [Laughter]

Hey, if you and Deacon are in
the same city at the same time,

maybe we can go and see both shows.

Wait... you're touring?

Well, I guess you can call it that.

It's a van tour. You remember those.

Hope you don't mind me saying, but, uh,

Deacon Claybourne is too damn good

to be playing bars and sleeping in motels.

Well, I keep telling them all
that, but they don't listen.

Listen, I'm, uh...

I'm retooling my tour a little bit.

Why don't you come open up for me?

Deacon! You have to say yes!

Seriously, say yes!

[Chuckling] Well, I...
I mean, yeah... I w...

I would love to, but I just...

Can you just give me one day?

There's just somebody
I ought to... Run it by.

[Sighs] Could have sworn I
asked you to leave me alone.

You did... but not because
you don't want me around.

It's because you're
scared of how much you do.

[Sighs]

Do you really think you can
go the distance with Deacon?

I mean, let me tell you...

These musicians, they're not normal people.

And he will never understand
your life the way I do.

And what happened between
us was not a mistake.

Please don't.

Only if you can tell me you
haven't been thinking about me

as much as I've been thinking about you.

Hey!

Oh. Got to go.

Girls: Layla!

- Guess what.
- What's up?

Tonight was so awesome
that Brent got Unionmade

to sign on as a sponsor
if we put a tour together.

I talked to Jeff. [Sighs]

Edgehill wants me on Luke Wheeler's tour.

Oh, wow.

I said yes.

What? [Scoffs]

Without even discussing it with me?

Look, I have an opportunity to be on

the biggest tour in America
when my album comes out.

Why would I go on

some little 1,000-seat
tour Brent puts together

when I can be playing stadiums?

Maybe you can get me on Luke's tour, too.

[Groans]

You saw how Jeff reacted
when I promoted your single.

I...

So you're not helping me,

you're not even sleeping with me now,

and you want to go on tour
without talking about it?

Do you even want to be in
this relationship anymore?

- Juliette: Hey.
- Hey!

Didn't expect I was
gonna get to see you here.

Oh, wouldn't miss it.

Marcella.

Jim, how are you?

Didn't realize you were still in Nashville.

Something about you moving to
L.A. because it suits you better?

No. Oh.

I went for a business meeting with Howie V.

He wants to work with
me, but this is my home,

and I'm not going anywhere.

Good thing, too.

We want to keep all our
top talent right here.

So many people.

What did you say you used to
quiz Rayna with, flashcards?

- Golly.
- Hey, y'all, this is my niece...

Scarlett. I've been waiting
to meet you all night.

I'm Marcella Omo from Clear Channel.

Nice to meet you, Marcella.

Jim Perlman, XM radio.

Good to meet you, Jim. Hi.

Rayna went on about you
for 10 minutes earlier.

Oh.

She said that you're one of the best

young singer/songwriters she's ever heard.

Well, I would actually
have to agree with that.

Thank you.

She also said that your debut
album is her next big project?

Yeah, I-I still can't believe my luck,

being taken under her wing.

It's really like I won
the lottery or something.

Looks like you might
have to share her soon.

She says she's getting
close to signing Evan Ryder.

Well, that's great. Evan Ryder...

Seems like she's building
a nice little stable

of honest-to-goodness
country artists over there.

Oh, well, it's a real privilege

just to be counted as a part of that.

[Both laugh]

All right, all right.

I know he's handsome, but, you know,

don't you have some schmoozing to
do or something? Oh, that's my fault.

She mentioned something about competing
in dressage when y'all were younger,

and we've been jawing
about horses ever since.

Not "y'all"... just that
one. No horses for me.

I believe that.

Uh, you know that. [Chuckles]

Juliette: Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen.

How are y'all doing? I hope
you're having a good night!

[Applause]

What is she doing?

Nothing good.

Do y'all want to hear the new song?

[Cheers and applause] Yeah.

Let's put our hands
together for a true legend.

I am so excited that she's
signed me to Highway 65

and is shepherding me through
the next phase of my career.

[Crowd murmuring] Y'all give
it up for miss Rayna Jaymes.

[Cheers and applause]

[Cheers and applause]

Great song, Rayna. No surprise.

Thanks, Storme! You're
gonna love the album, too.

- I can't wait.
- You'll love it.

What the hell were you
thinking? Get over here.

We had an agreement...

a calculated rollout of my album.

You have now destroyed any possibility

that we might be able to
use the momentum from that

to salvage your disastrous public image!

I am sorry,

but maybe my patience was
wearing a little bit thin

after hearing all the
great things you had to say

about every other artist
that you've signed.

I'm willing to wait for your album, yes,

but I will not wait in line
behind a bunch of up-and-comers

when it comes to the
priorities of this label.

Press has the story.

Well, of course they have the story,

because they're all here,
which is why you did it!

General consensus is
they love your new song,

but not your new artist.

We're getting a lot of
requests for interviews...

with both of you.

What do you want us to do?

Buy some time so I can try to figure out

how to clean up your
mess, which is now my mess.

And you're gonna do
exactly what I tell you.

Understood?

[Door opens]

♪ The secret of the
life you're guilty of ♪

[Door closes]

Luke Wheeler's tour?

[Laughs] That is huge.

Yeah. It's gonna be a different
vibe than Juliette's, for sure.

Right.

You got any insider tips for me?

Uh, yeah.

He doesn't like it when
you use his elliptical.

[Chuckles]

[Door opens]

Oh. Hey, babe.

Hey, will.

Oh. I'll... Give you two a moment.

[Grunts]

I've sent you like eight texts.

What's going on with you?

I know. I'm sorry.

Look, I'm just tired of
watching everyone else perform

while I sit here and write.

And now the band's done,
'cause you're leaving, too.

You know what the worst part is?

Even if I win, I lose.

I don't want to be away
from you for six months.

What are we gonna do?

Cross that bridge when we come to it.

My name is Jaymen, and
here's a song I wrote.

[Guitar plays]

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Hey, kiddo.

[Music stops]

Can I, uh, can I take
a look at your project?

Uh, it's not done yet.

What do you mean it's not done?

You said you finished it this afternoon.

[Sighs] Whatever.

"Whatever"?

Okay, you know what? That's it.

I have... I have absolutely
had it with your attitude.

You're grounded... two weeks.

No guitar lessons, nothing
but school and homework.

That's not fair!

Well, it doesn't have to be to be right.

You don't get it!

Ask mom! She knows how
important music is to me!

Okay, I talked to your mom at the party,

and she and I are on the same page.

Then you both suck!

I want to go live with my real dad.

Now it's one month.

And one more word out of you, young lady,

and there will be no more music... period.

What are you doing here?

Your announcement at the
party is all over the news.

What happened?

What happened is, I basically just ruined

any chance of fixing my career

because I signed with somebody
who doesn't respect me.

She respects you.

Probably just doesn't
see your side of things.

You know, what one person
thinks is an opportunity,

someone else thinks is a threat.

Are you talking about me and Rayna,

or you talking about me and Scarlett?

Same thing, right?

I meant you and Rayna.

But... Since you brought it up...

[Sighs] Look, since this is
gonna be a problem between us,

I'm gonna turn the offer down.

That what you really want?

Scarlett's album would
be a great fit for me.

What I really want...

Is for you to find a
way to be okay with this

so I don't have to say no.

Hey, there.

Hey.

Tandy said you stepped out to cool off.

You want to talk about it?

That little...

Narcissistic, self-destructive...

- person...
- Mm-hmm.

Who I have now signed to my label,

who will destroy my label if
given half the opportunity...

Please don't tell me "I told you so."

I won't. I won't.

But I-I could tell Jeff Fordham

to take another stab at Juliette.

[Chuckling] Let her be his
problem instead of yours.

No, I-I'm not gonna let Jeff Fordham

take another one of my artists.

I'm gonna fix this.
I'm gonna figure it out.

It might take me a little minute, but...

Do you have anything good
and distracting to tell me,

get my mind off it?

I invited Deacon to open
up on my tour for me.

What?

Why?

I mean... uh... Are you okay with it?

I know you two have your history.

Yes. I'm...

You and Deacon and Will Lexington

just go off on your tour
and have a great time,

and I'll just be here,
keeping Highway 65 afloat

with Juliette Barnes.

- Come here.
- [Chuckles]

[Door opens]

By all means, just let yourself in.

Door was open. We need to talk.

- No, we don't.
- Fine. Then listen.

I just spent the last hour
trying to calm Layla down.

You can't break up with her.

Hmm. And this is your
opinion as her manager?

As someone who's still looking out for you.

People at Edgehill don't
understand why I got fired.

Word is out that you pressured Jeff,

and they're wondering if
maybe you protest too much.

It won't be long before
the rumors get to Jeff.

Jeff's too smart to believe rumors.

How careful have you been?

I'll never expose you.

Can you say the same thing about
your bandmate from high school?

Or anyone else?

The more famous you get,
the bigger the microscope.

[Sighs]

[Door closes]

[Sighs]

I got a lot at stake here.

If Highway 65 fails, I lose my house...

Where I live, with my kids.

- I'm sorry.
- Yeah, me too.

So, now it's about damage control.

What do you need me to do?

Well...

I've got this show at the Opry.

I'm surprised they haven't
revoked my membership yet.

That's not how it works, honey.

Come on.

I've got an idea for us.

Messenger just brought this by for you.

Thanks.

Oh, it's just... Stuff for Luke's tour.

A 45-minute set.

45-minute... that is
officially big-time!

- [Gunnar laughs]
- Yeah.

What's wrong?

[Sighs]

Brent's not the only one.

So, you've had other relationships?

Not really.

Just, um...

Others.

A few years back. [Scoffs]

I always just focused
on making it, you know?

Never on what happens when you do...

like people coming out of the woodwork.

Hey, maybe you're just not that memorable.

[Laughs]

I just wish there was a way to
shut them all up if they did.

Hm.

[Keyboard clacking]

[Breathes deeply]

Have you been playing the guitar?

You're gonna get in big trouble.

Just stay out of my business!

Why can't I ever be by myself?!

[Chime rings]

[Sighs]

[Cheers and applause]
Oh, thank you so much!

I'm so grateful. I-I
hope you like the song.

And I'll tell you something...
you're gonna love the whole album.

I can't wait for you to hear it.

I was thinking about
tonight, and I thought,

"well, now, what song
am I gonna play next?"

And I found something that
I've never played before,

and it's a duet.

And the thing about the duet is,

you have to find the perfect
artist to sing it with you.

[Audience shouting "Luke!"]

[Laughs]

It's not Luke tonight... not tonight.

But I did find just the right person

to sing this song with me.

And I'm especially excited

because she is the newest
member of the Highway 65 family.

Please help me welcome to the stage

miss Juliette Barnes.

[Applause]

["He ain't gonna change" plays]

♪ He's the restless kind ♪

♪ The kind that you can't win ♪

♪ But he'll try his best ♪

♪ To make you fall in love with him ♪

♪ And I can't count the times ♪

♪ I've been down that road ♪

♪ Can't tell you why
he does what he does ♪

♪ But one thing I know ♪

♪ Is he ain't gonna change ♪

♪ He ain't gonna change ♪

♪ I love that boy, but
he ain't gonna change ♪

Bucky told me you hadn't accepted the offer

to produce my album.

I'm hoping to have an answer for him soon.

♪ And he'll turn it all around... ♪

I really need you on this.

♪ ...thinks he can ♪

♪ yeah, he found someone

Luke Wheeler just asked me

to be one of the opening acts on his tour.

That's... Fantastic.

I need to know how you feel about this,

about me being...

Gone even more.

♪ 'Cause he ain't gonna change ♪

I think...

This is one you can't say no to.

♪ He ain't gonna change

♪ I love that boy, but
he ain't gonna change ♪

[Cellphone rings]

It's the call.

Good luck.

Hello?

Okay. Thanks.

[Cellphone beeps]

♪ You get over here ♪

It's their loss.

♪ That's when it never fails ♪

♪ He will come back around ♪

♪ You want to take him back ♪

So, I'm sorry for how
I've been acting lately.

I know you've got these
plans for us, and...

Me going out on Luke's
tour is messing that up.

But, uh... I don't want
you to have any more doubts

about our relationship.

♪ 'Cause he ain't gonna change ♪

♪ He ain't gonna change ♪

Layla Grant...

♪ I love that boy... ♪

Will you marry me?

♪ He ain't gonna change

[chuckles]

[Voice breaking] Hell yeah, I will!

♪ He ain't gonna change ♪

[laughs]

♪ He ain't gonna change ♪

♪ I love that boy, but
he ain't gonna change ♪

♪ Well, I still love that boy, but ♪

♪ He ain't gonna change ♪

[applause]