The Return of ‘Nashville’ Brings Kelsea Ballerini & Thomas Rhett

elsea Ballerini-Thomas Rhett

Save the date for the return of  ‘Nashville’ tonight. And its the night we’ve been waiting for-Deacon and Rayna are getting married!

But there is also other ‘Nashville’ news. Kesha and country singers Kelsea Ballerini and Thomas Rhett  will guest star on ABC’s musical drama Nashville after its midseason return, reports EW. 

Kesha, Ballerini, and Rhett will all portray themselves, with each appearing in a separate episode.

Ballerini, known for her debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It,” and Rhett, known for the disco-tinged tune “Make Me Wanna,” will perform their respective hits on the show.

As the show ‘Nashville’ returns for its mid-season premiere there has been talk of whether or not there will be a season 5.

ABC is confident that the Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere country drama will be back for a fifth season, network boss Paul Lee told reporters at the Television Critics Association’s press tour.

“We don’t have any plans to finish Nashville,” he said. “We have an incredibly passionate audience. The Nashville audience grows by a large amount in our delay viewings. No, at this point, no plans for Nashville other than to keep it going.”

Ratings wise, ‘Nashville’ saw big growth in the Live + 7 numbers, with its fall finale raising 125 percent in the 18-49 demographic (from .8 to 1.8).

Other news—the cast of the show ‘Nashville’ will be touring this summer in the US and for the first time internationally as well. See the full list of tour cities here.

The tour will feature cast members Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack and Charles Esten performing original music as well as songs from the hit television series. Will Chase, Jonathan Jackson and Aubrey Peeples join the tour in select cities.
Last week it was announced the “Nashville in Concert” tour will also stage its first-ever international run in the United Kingdom with Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten and Sam Palladio performing.

“It is truly extraordinary how demand has grown over these past three years,” said Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment. “We have added several new major markets this year so that we can reach as many of our dedicated Nashville fans as possible all across America. Audiences have been consistently blown away by the performing and songwriting talent of our cast.”

“It’s so great to see the cast have an opportunity to take their show on the road again,” said Russell Ziecker, Executive Vice President, TV Music, Lionsgate. “The spirit and energy they bring to the stage is infectious. They’ve all become Country Music evangelists and ambassadors of Nashville, both the show and the city. It continues to amaze me – how many ways life-imitates-art-imitates-life on this show and with this cast.”

Also announced is the May 13 soundtrack release of THE MUSIC OF NASHVILLE, SEASON 4, VOLUME 2 (Big Machine Records.) Receiving much praise from critics and fans alike, the music from “Nashville” has amassed over five million track sales since the show’s inception.

“Nashville” returns with all original episodes beginning Wednesday, March 16 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET) on ABC.

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