All the latest news, interviews and updates.


‘Nashville’ made the Bluebird Cafe famous. But few people know the venue’s real story.

On the drama “Nashville,” the Bluebird Cafe is a sacred space where singer-songwriters belt out stunning songs that make the audience cry, and soulmate Rayna (Connie Britton) and Deacon (Charles Esten)  met for the first time. Over the years, fans of the show who have flocked to Nashville have been eager to check out the real-life place and maybe grab a beer and a bite to eat.

Many are shocked to learn that, unfortunately, that’s not how it works. “Nashville,” first on ABC and now CMT, has made the 90-seat venue so incredibly popular over the last five years that it’s impossible to get in unless you have a reservation (snapped up seconds after they’re available online) or wait in line outside for hours.

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Music’s Biggest Stars Go ‘All in for The Gambler’ at Kenny Rogers Farewell Celebration

The biggest names across all genres of music took the stage Wednesday night (Oct. 25) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to celebrate Kenny Rogers at All in for the Gambler: Kenny Rogers Farewell Concert Celebration. The Oak Ridge Boys, Don Henley, Idina Menzel, Lionel Richie, Billy Currington, Elle King, Little Big Town, Justin Moore, The Flaming Lips, Alison Krauss, Christ Stapleton, and Dolly Parton were among those on hand to honor Rogers. Before Rogers and Parton ended the evening with a mic drop, a steady stream of artists hit the stage to share memories and songs from the iconic artist’s six decades long career.

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VIDEO: Nashvillians take steps to end cancer with "Light the Night" walk

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Nashville: CMT Releases Season Six “First Look” Trailer

Despite being cancelled by ABC after four seasons, and star Connie Britton's exit in season five, the fat lady hasn’t sung for the Nashville TV show, yet. Below, check out the new “first look” trailer for season six. The sixth season of Nashville premieres on CMT on Thursdays, in January of 2018.

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'Nashville' Star Charles Esten Serenades Victims of Las Vegas Shooting at Hospital

Deacon Claybourne may only be a fictional country star on TV's Nashville, but the actor who portrays him is bringing smiles to Las Vegas shooting victims while visiting them in the hospital.


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'Nashville' Star Charles Esten on Life After Daughter's Cancer Fight: 'Country Music Gives Back' (Exclusive)

Though Charles Esten himself is not a cancer survivor, he is the caregiver of one. When the Nashville star’s daughter, Addie, was two-and-a-half years old, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Now almost 18, Addie is thriving, dominating the soccer field on a national-level team and getting ready to play the sport at a D-1 college. But the fact that Esten's baby girl had to go through such a harrowing experience so early in her life has remained with him.

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Las Vegas mass shooting victims remembered in vigil at Ascend Amphitheater

“This is not where anyone wanted to be tonight, but it says something about you that this is where you are,” Esten said to the crowd as the sun set at Ascend. 

“We’re here to wrap our arms around Las Vegas and all those who have suffered through this horrific and heartless attack.” 

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‘Nashville’ Actor Charles Esten Remembers His Start in Music

For Charles Esten, creativity has been a constant battle among the muses of music, acting and comedy. He’s exercised his acting muscle in movies like “The Postman” and “Swing Vote” as well as TV series like HBO’s “Big Love” and Disney Channel’s “Jessie.” Comedy improv show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” with co-star Wayne Brady, let him use all three talents at once, and since 2012, he’s played lead guitarist Deacon Claybourne on “Nashville.”


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Academy of Country Music Honors George Strait, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Nashville

The Academy of Country Music honored outstanding performers, musicians, songwriters and music industry figures and venues Wednesday night (Aug. 23) in ceremonies held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.


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See the Best Dressed on the 2017 ACM Honors Red Carpet

Kelsea Ballerini's summer gown was scorching, while Jason Aldean and his wife looked perfectly pleased to be preparing for a baby’s arrival on the 2017 ACM Honors red carpet.

 Reba McEntire, Charles Esten and the family of Glen Campbell also walked the carpet on Wednesday (Aug. 23), setting up what should be a star-studding broadcast next month.

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Charles Esten Defies Death in Hilarious New Carl’s Jr. Commercial

In the latest installment of Carl’s Jr. ads, Esten once again plays the role of Carl Hardee Sr., the risky founder of the company who spends most of his time schooling his son, Carl Hardee Jr., to whom he had previously given the keys to the company.

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Charles Esten Surprises Cancer Survivor With ‘Nashville’ VIP Experience

One of Nashville's biggest fans was in for the surprise of her life when Charles Esten, otherwise known as Deacon Claybourne on CMT’s Nashville, surprised her with a VIP experience to the ‘Nashville’ in Concert tour stop in Huber Heights, Ohio.


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A Boys' Night in 'Nashville" on Coney Island

"The stars of Grey's Anatomy don't go around the country doing surgery," quipped Charles Esten at the beginning of his set.  Right he is, as Nashville stepped out of the screen and came to New York for the fourth consecutive year on Saturday night (August 5th).

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'Nashville' Recap: Deacon Goes Solo, Maddie Gets Soaked

In just one hour, this week's Nashville moves from darkness to light, with a whole lot of gray area in between as everyone tries to navigate their way through unfamiliar and, in some cases, very wet territory.

Deacon (Charles Esten) plays the Grand Ole Opry in this week's episode.


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‘Nashville’s’ Charles Esten: Back home and singing about it

Charles Esten — better known as the tortured Deacon Claybourne to fans of CMT’s drama “Nashville” — is no newcomer to the Wolf Trap stage. He’s performed there before. As a clown. “This is my grand return,” says Alexandria native Esten, who once performed as a clown at the International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap as a kid.


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Charles Esten finds his 'Narnia' in dressing room one

Charles Esten of "Nashville" fame shares his passion for music that has inspired him to release a new single every week for the past year.


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EXCLUSIVE A Singular Feat: Charles Esten Releases a Single a Week – For an Entire Year!

Is it even possible for one artist to release an original single every week for an entire year?  Charles Esten sure didn’t think so – that is, until he did it.


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Charles Esten on His Ambitious Plan to Release 52 Singles in a Year

"As much work as you think it was, it was more than that," says the 'Nashville' star and singer-songwriter.


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Charles Esten's #OneSingleYear Celebration Concert

Charles Esten performs on stage for his #OneSingleYear Celebration Concert at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on July 19, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.


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Charles Esten Looks Back on One Year of His 'Every Single Friday' Release Strategy

For the past year, in addition to his role as Deacon Claybourne on CMT's Nashville, Charles Esten has been quite the busy recording artist.


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