What’s Worth Watching: Nashville’s Cast Concert

NASHVILLE ON THE RECORD 2
Chris Hollo/ABC
NASHVILLE ON THE RECORD 2

Nashville, “Nashville On the Record 2,” Wednesday, March 25, 10/9c, ABC

Even when the sudsy subplots get a bit strained, you can always count on the music of Nashville to entertain. And so with a palpable sense of relief to set the angst aside for a week, many of the show’s cast gather on the legendary stage of the Grand Ole Opry for the series’ second annual concert special featuring songs written especially for their characters. Perhaps in acknowledgement that neither of Nashville‘s reigning divas are in attendance—Connie Britton (Rayna Jaymes) and Hayden Panettiere (Juliette Barnes) are no-shows—the producers call in a true country superstar, Reba, to perform her new single “Going Out Like That” as a penultimate show-stopper.

Another musical highlight: Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne), whose absence probably would be even more lamented than that of his leading ladies, teams with Deana Carter on a song they co-wrote, “I Know How to Love You Now.” They all make beautiful music together.