Nashville s05e21 Episode Script
Farther On
1 Previously on "Nashville" Wanna talk about this song? I got a little studio time if you want to get in and lay it down.
Brand partnerships.
The best kind of integration is entirely frictionless.
All we are asking is that you give this a chance.
We need to talk.
Billy put together a tour for me.
You're gonna do this without even talking to me.
This is something that's been building in me for a long time.
- What about us? - I'm not breaking up with you.
- It's a tour.
- I don't want you to leave.
Scarlett and I are taking some time.
I don't know what to do with myself.
You could play some shows with us.
Or just come along for the ride.
(cell phone buzzing) (cell phone continues buzzing) DAPHNE: Maddie? You awake? Yes.
I'm getting up.
We'll be late! Let's go! All right.
Let's see if this'll work.
Do I have to wear this thing? You'll be very happy you're wearing a wetsuit out there, believe me.
It's gonna get mighty cold when they turn the water on.
How do they not see it? We cut it.
(groans) That dress is beautiful! Do they have to curl my hair so much? It really does not feel like me.
Oh, my God, you're like breathtaking! No, no.
That's the suit.
I literally cannot breathe.
This is so exciting.
Your first song is in a commercial.
Think about how many people are going to hear it.
- Yeah ow! - Great dress! God, look at your hair! Cooper? Leslie? Miss Maddie Jaymes.
- These are for you.
- Thank you.
We are so psyched that you are the face of Mascara 24.
Thank you.
And don't forget about the party tonight at Charlie Mae's.
It would mean so much to the New York folks.
Yes.
Sounds like fun.
- Hey.
Maddie excited? - Hey.
Yeah.
I mean, I guess so.
She's never really done anything like this before.
Well, I think it's gonna be amazing.
She'll get the exposure.
We get to keep working with the hottest agency in the business.
You would know all about that.
Deacon, come on, man.
We've got momentum, okay? Highway 65 has two nominations.
We gotta keep going! - We're going! - We're back on the map! All right, we're on the map.
We're going.
And so are you, I hear.
What's this about you playing the Opry? Yeah.
I might play the Opry.
Dude, you should.
I mean, you're being featured, man.
I think this would be a great thing for you.
You're always helping everybody else out.
It's about time you were the center of attention.
(crowd cheering) Thank you, San Antonio! Whoo! Do you hear that? You guys were amazing! Polly, you always say that.
And I always love it when you do.
I'm serious.
You really connected tonight.
You hear the audience? The energy was crazy.
Hey, guys! Can we not break the amps, please? MAN: Sorry, Polly.
- Not good.
Ah, thank you.
- Your phone's buzzing.
- Babe! Hey! - I just got her down.
I think she's coming down with a cold.
Which means I'm gonna get a cold.
And I'm supposed to be in a recording studio.
Okay, listen Everything's gonna be fine.
Just take some of those herbs that I left for you.
- Can I call you right back? - Yeah, sure, no problem.
My album will just be horrible.
Our child will have pneumonia.
You just go have fun.
She's gonna be fine and so are you.
Blow Cadence a kiss for me, all right? I love you both.
Don't forget that.
(sighs) I'm so tired.
Why do I have to do this? 'Cause you're the star.
Daphne, they literally tried on a million different dresses on me and makeup tests.
And none of them were ever satisfied with anything.
Oh, my God, now I have to show you this suit I have to wear underneath to keep me dry.
That is so cool.
- So cool? - Yes.
Okay, here we go.
We're just gonna pour some rain on Daphne - No, Maddie! Maddie! Don't! - No, no, no You're having way too much fun in here tonight.
I'm having fun.
Maddie's far too busy complaining.
Shut up.
Why do I have to do this, Dad? Because, my sweet, you are the star.
- See? - They're turning me into this character.
It's like it's not even me.
I'm sorry, sweetie.
It won't be much longer.
Think of all the people who get to hear your music.
Hurry up and go to your party.
And you, I'm sorry, my dear, need to hurry up and go to bed.
Do you want to come to this party with me? Maddie, I wish I could.
I'm just wiped out and I got more work that I got to get through before I go to bed even.
Daddy, you work too hard.
You just need to have some fun.
Just like you always tell us.
One fun thing did come up.
Really? Yeah.
I got asked to play the Opry.
- That's awesome.
- That's cool.
With who? With myself.
- Like as a featured performer? - In the circle? - Yeah.
- What? - That's amazing.
- Oh, my God! Well, it was real nice for them to ask.
Well, you're gonna do it, right? I don't know.
I got a lot going on right now.
Please go to sleep.
Please tell me you're not wearing that.
- No.
It's not what I'm wearing.
- (laughs) Look at that face! - My daughter loves you! - Really? Thank you.
You are so poised for your age.
Isn't she? Perfect girl.
How are you holding up? Just really tired.
Yeah, well, just hang in there.
I'll get you out soon, girl.
(clinks glass) I'd like to say that we are incredibly thrilled to have the young Maddie Jaymes as the face of Mascara 24.
We hope this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Welcome to the family, Maddie.
- Thank you.
- Yeah, Maddie! The CEO came out just for you.
- Congratulations.
Yeah.
You did it.
- Thank you.
And now he wants to talk to me.
What could that be about? - These people are so annoying.
- I know.
I love your top.
Hey, what's up? I'm sorry about this song of hers.
It tested great.
I don't see a connection with our mascara.
A tidal wave can't wash it off.
And how will people know that? 'Cause they'll hear it in the song.
They won't hear our mascara in the song.
Because the song is about a tidal wave.
At $800,000 a minute, maybe it should be a song about mascara.
(crowd chanting) Maddie! Maddie! - Sing us a song! - Maddie! Maddie! Maddie! Maddie! Maddie would love to sing.
But she has a sore throat.
So I need to get her home, you guys.
Yeah, you don't want her to get sick, right? No, no.
She will see you all on set tomorrow, okay? - Feel better! - Perfect.
- What about you, Alyssa? - Oh, perfect! Come on, Alyssa! Oh, no.
I don't sing, you guys.
- I don't sing.
- Sing us a song.
- No, I don't sing.
- Come on, come on! - Alyssa! Alyssa! Alyssa! - Why don't you just go? We know everybody in Nashville sings.
I'm from Seattle.
- Okay, okay, oh my God.
- (crowd cheers) But I'm only doing this because margarita! all: Margarita! "You don't know me.
" The song? Okay.
No cell phones, okay? I will throw all of them in the fountain outside.
Each and every one of them! You give your hand to me And then you say hello And I can hardly speak My heart is beating so And anyone can tell You think you know me well But you don't know me (cheering) You don't know the one Who dreams of you at night Who longs to kiss your lips And longs to hold you tight To you I'm just a friend That's all I've ever been But you don't know me (cheering) I'm out here alone and treading water The clear air tells me there's a storm coming Not afraid of the dark cloud Gonna wait it out - Got me racing my heart now - Cut! Cut! - (buzzer) - That's not enough rain.
Does that look like a storm to you? - All right, let's go again.
- Back to one.
Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Cue playback! And action! I'm out here alone and treading water The clear air tells me there's a storm coming Not afraid of the dark cloud Gonna wait it out Cut! Cut! That's too much rain! Looks more like a like a monsoon! All right, let's go again! I'm out here alone and treading water The clear air tells me there's a storm coming - Cut! - Not afraid of the dark cloud Gonna wait it out Got me racing my heart now Maddie, can you please try not to shiver? I'm waiting to be Oh, wow.
Well, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that people are actually going to be listening to that.
Great job, guys.
Quick break.
By the way, I heard that you're playing the Opry.
Clearly, somebody canceled at the last minute.
(laughs) Wow.
You're even worse than I am.
Who second-guesses an invite to play the Opry? I mean, it's amazing.
It's really amazing.
I just don't know when I'm gonna find the time or brain cells to even rehearse for it, so Hey, listen, if this is keeping you from any of that, - I really don't want - No, please.
This, I know what I'm doing.
Highway 65, not so much.
That has been a recurring thing ever since I'm sorry.
I keep telling myself I'm doing it for the girls and for the artists, but in the end, I just wish I could talk to her, you know, like we used to.
All right, let's get back to it.
Okay.
Well, I'm happy for you.
- For what? - (phone buzzes) - For playing the Opry.
- Come on.
You're kidding me.
Juliette, why on earth? - Why'd you do that? - That's so funny when that happens.
He's the doctor.
You should do what he says.
Great.
All right.
All right, whatever.
I'll call you when we get to Houston.
Babe, I do support you.
(laughs) Talk to you soon.
Juliette, please don't.
Don't do this.
Love you, babe.
Everything okay? Uh, what's the opposite of okay? That is called being on the road.
It's just hard when you're not there.
Yeah, it is.
Thanks.
I don't know.
I just I can't keep fixing it for her, you know.
Why do you have to? It's part of the job description.
Oh, so it's a job.
I didn't mean it like that.
Well, what do you call relationships? - Fun.
- Fun? Yeah, fun.
Fun.
I'm waiting to be saved by your tidal wave Take me away t-t-take me away - Saved - Cut! (buzzer) I don't believe you're seeing a tidal wave.
The reaction has to be bigger.
You don't want me to be scared? No, because you're being saved by the tidal wave.
It's surrender.
It's peace.
Okay.
So like a big look of surrender.
Exactly.
Saved by your tidal wave Take me away t-t-take me away - Saved - Cut! Cut! Do you understand what I mean when I use the word transcendent? No.
All your hopes and dreams, everyone you've ever loved, are all parading in front of your eyes right now.
Because there's never gonna be another moment in your life ever.
It's all just this moment.
I'm waiting to be saved by your tidal wave Take me away t-t-take me away Saved by your tidal wave - Take me away t-t-take me away - Cut! - (buzzer) - Cut! That's it! That's it! - That's perfect! - Awesome.
Colin, her hair was in her face.
It won't match.
Yes! Going again.
She needs a break.
Time for a break, okay? Everything okay? Oh, yeah, she'll she'll be fine.
We want to make sure she's okay with all this.
Oh, Maddie's a professional.
You have nothing to worry about.
Then we're hoping she's receptive to our new idea.
Idea? Tom is very concerned about the song.
Yeah.
He mentioned something at the party, but It's really an easy fix.
Instead of "got me racing my heart now and I'm fading out," she sings "I got my Mascara 24 and I'm not fading out.
" It just makes everything so much clearer, don't you think? Absolutely.
I just don't know that Maddie's gonna be okay with changing her lyrics.
Well, Tom is over the moon about this idea.
And once he's over the moon We need you to make her okay with it.
- I'll see what I can do.
- Yeah.
Great.
Okay.
Guys, we're gonna start with that one, all right? Michael, did you get the changes to the end of "Good Rain?" - Yes, I did.
- (cell phone rings) You want to run that one right now? Yes, please.
That would be great.
- Just give me one second, okay? - Take your time.
Hey, Zach, what's going on? Hey, I know you're super busy.
But you may need to go talk to Maddie.
- What's wrong? - Well, they want to make a little change with the lyrics, and she's upset about it.
- What changes? - I don't even know! I just know it's literally a couple of words.
And the client's freaking out.
Zach, calm down, all right? Now, how's Maddie? She had a total meltdown.
Okay? The director sent her home for the day.
(sighs) All right, I'm on my way.
Okay.
Look, Deacon, I know this is your daughter.
But please remember that the client has a couple of million dollars into this deal.
And we cannot have another Birch Tree Habitat fiasco! I said I'm on my way, all right? Guys, I'm sorry.
I appreciate y'all being here for me I gotta go.
It's my daughter.
Can you finish up without me? Yeah.
We got it covered.
- Just do what you gotta do.
- Thank you, Michael.
Thank you.
(knock on door ) Maddie, it's Dad.
Come in.
Please don't make me do this.
Sweetheart, this is not me making you do this, all right? This is me trying to help you understand that being a grown-up means sometimes having to do things that we don't want to do.
But I don't want to be a grown-up.
Yeah, me either.
Have you heard what they want to change it to? It's beyond stupid.
My songs, they're all that I have.
I know this feels like selling out.
But, baby, everybody goes through this.
This is part of the business.
Now more and ever But they want my song.
The song it literally came from the bottom of my heart! Every single note was a piece of me.
And you more than anyone should understand that, Dad! I do, baby.
I actually do.
Deacon! Just the man I wanted to see.
Good, because we got to talk about this damn commercial.
I realize this is a difficult situation for you.
But I need you to understand that everything we are asking of Maddie is in her best interest as an artist.
All due respect, Zach, this is my daughter's first big song.
How the world hears it, - that will shape her whole career.
- That's what I'm saying.
Brad Paisley, "Nationwide is on Your Side"? It didn't hurt his career, Deacon.
Well, Brad is an established artist.
But, Deacon, this would launch her.
Maddie does not agree.
Neither do I.
Wait.
Are you seriously talking about Maddie breaching her contract? No, Alyssa.
I'm saying this was never part of the deal, all right? If anybody should be blamed, it's these jokers for changing the game while we're playing it.
Actually, you're wrong.
"The undersigned hereby grants the rights of the client to edit, change, add to, take from, rearrange, modify, vary, alter, reformat, reprocess the material in any manner they see fit.
" Who agreed to this language? You did, Deacon.
You signed it.
It's standard boilerplate.
They wouldn't accept anything less.
It's how these companies operate.
(sighs) Then you lied to us, Zach.
- I lied to you? - Yeah.
You did not pitch this the way it is at all.
- Oh, this is my fault? - This is not how any of this was pitched by you.
You never really believed that I have Highway 65's best interest at heart, have you? Oh, my God, I supported you, Zach.
Even when I didn't understand you.
- Only because Rayna wanted you to.
- That's true.
What the hell does that have to do with right now? I'm so tired! I've done everything I can to keep this company going! And all anyone ever does is give me a hard time! And I've never held this over you, Deacon, but What? I can't keep pushing the boulder up the hill! It's hard for me to say this.
But if you can't get Maddie in line, I'm done.
- Done how, Zach? - Out.
O-U-T, done.
As in I will give you my 90-day notice as per our contract.
And at the end of that 90 days, Highway 65 will be out of money.
Water's deep as we fall It's hard to breathe beneath it all Feel my hand reaching out for you If fate looked like an hourglass And you and I were made to last Would we still be lost in the blue And here we are wanting more You and I rose and thorn But I don't really wanna love another We have each other (cell phone buzzes) When everything has come undone Hearts will race Hearts will run When they break we're always taking cover Here we are wanting more You and I rose and thorn But I don't really wanna love another We have each other Bye! - Uh, you want some? - Sure.
Woo! Haha - Mmm.
- Thanks.
(cell phone rings) - It's cool man, you can take it.
- Nah, just gonna be another fight.
Yep.
Being gone sure does shake stuff up.
Maybe that's a good thing.
Sometimes it can help you see things more clearly.
Yeah, like all the stuff you did wrong? Yeah, or how hard it is? Geez, you guys you got to trust that your partners can take care of themselves.
You don't always have to solve every single thing for them.
Yeah, but relationships are about being there when they need you.
Constantly? What about your freedom? What do you mean, freedom? I think you know what I mean by freedom.
Just another word? (laughing) At least my boyfriend and I are realistic.
If we're not in the same town, we figure it out.
We don't ask each other questions.
Okay, Bobby McGee.
Avery, you take care of her.
You're there for her constantly.
You solve every single mess she gets herself into.
What if just for once you didn't? So I'm supposed to pick and choose the times I'm there for her? I think I'm gonna head back to the hotel.
If you need me for anything, I'm gonna be at the bar.
Whoa.
What do you mean, whoa? What do you mean, what do I mean? It's obvious.
- No way.
- Yes, way.
She's, you know, into being happy.
(chuckles) She was looking at you.
No, she was definitely looking at you.
(both laugh) - Anybody? - I'll take some.
- Here you go.
- Quiet night last night? Uh, yeah.
So thank y'all for joining me here.
I wanted to catch everybody up to speed on what's going on with Highway 65.
Juliette and Hallie are sorry they couldn't be here.
I'll be talking to them individually.
What's wrong? Well, right now it's about Maddie's commercial.
A client is asking they're demanding to change the lyrics to her song.
Yeah, but they can't do that, though, right? It turns out they can.
Zach sold this whole thing to us as some kind of experiment.
Where we could go along with it as far as we were comfortable.
But it's looking like that is not the truth.
So what are our options? Well, I think right now is the time we have to figure out what it is we believe.
And how much we are willing to sacrifice for it.
For Maddie, she feels like changing the lyrics to her song undermines the integrity of the song.
And, well, of herself as an artist.
I agree.
It's one thing to sell products for them.
It's another to change the words to your music.
It's part of who you are.
Yeah, no question.
This could be any one of us.
- That's going too far.
- I hear you both.
But I feel like it's my job to let you know where this whole thing's gonna go if we do decide to stand firm.
At this point, Zach is out of patience.
We don't do things his way, he is gonna walk.
That'll pretty much mean the end of Highway 65.
I'll change the words, okay? - It's really not a big deal.
- Okay, no, it is a big deal.
And we're not just gonna let you do that.
Whether we like it or not, we're all in this together.
DAPHNE: So this is about fear.
What, sweetie? If we're afraid, we can just do what Zach tells us to do.
Or we can do what feels right.
That's beautiful, sweetheart.
And there's a whole lot of truth to it.
It's just I'm afraid it's not that simple.
Why isn't it? What's the point of Highway 65 if it isn't what Mom wanted it to be? Rayna signed us 'cause she loved our songs.
Not 'cause she saw dollar signs.
You're who Rayna trusted to steer this company, Deacon.
So it's gotta be your decision, not ours.
- I agree.
- Me too.
Whatever you decide, we're with you.
Daphne? I'm heading out, sweetheart.
You gonna be okay? Yeah, I'll be fine.
See you later.
All righty.
How about you? How you doing? Highway 65 was Mom's biggest dream.
No, that's not true.
You and Daphne were.
I know that, but she loved it so much.
And I just I cannot be the reason it dies.
Listen to me.
If this ends, it will not be your fault But it kind of would be.
And I just don't know if I could live with that.
Baby, please stop putting this on yourself.
It's on me.
It's my decision.
Have you figured out what you're gonna do yet? Not yet.
I'm hoping it'll come to me.
What? We're all supposed to suffer because Maddie won't budge on a few lyrics? I practically just got to this label.
And now I'm supposed to up-end my career.
Well, if that's how you feel, then that's how you feel.
I want you to tell me how you feel.
I don't know how I feel.
And that shouldn't sway your decision.
It's okay if we disagree.
I think we should be more independent sometimes, you know.
What do you mean by that? Independent how? I think you should figure out how you feel.
And not second-guess yourself.
- Are you mad at me? - No.
- Are you having an affair? - Are you crazy? All I'm saying is you got to do what you got to do without my input all the time.
Wow.
Okay, thanks.
Thank you very much.
(honks car horn) Hey! - What are you doing? - Get in the car.
Jessie, I'm sorry.
I can't.
I got like 10 things I got to go to right now.
I'm not asking you, Deacon.
I'm telling you.
Get in.
Whatever this is, I'm not doing it.
Just get out of the car.
Jessie, I don't have time for this.
- You do have time.
- No, I don't, Jessie.
You have one hour.
An hour for what? An hour for yourself! You've been wound up so tight you can't even breathe! I promise you, this is not helping with that, all right? - Just get out of here, all right? - What's happening is you're pissing me See what happens and I'll be waiting here when you get back.
All right.
See you later.
Bye.
I'm not getting How's the road been lately How's the love that you left Are you living each moment Just thinking about the next Well I would call a man Who seeks adventure And a story of his own So if you find yourself Would you still feel restless It's 'cause everyone's looking for home Why do you think that bird sings? He's singing for a million reasons probably.
But mostly Because he can.
Thank you.
Not sure you were right.
Hang on one sec.
People keep asking how I'm doing, you know, all the time.
You okay? It's nice, but I know what they're really saying.
They're saying when are you gonna start getting on with your life? When are you gonna start moving on? I can't.
And maybe you never will, not completely.
No one has the right to tell you how to do this, you know.
But do you think that she would want you to be in so much pain that you forgot yourself? Don't you think she would want you to live this one life right now? That's fine.
I have a Listen, I'm gonna have to call you right back, okay? Guys, can we have the room, please? - Hey, guys.
- Yeah, no, that's fine.
Thank you.
- Hi.
- Hey.
Have a seat.
I called Alyssa too.
Asked her to join us.
Of course.
So, obviously, we're at a crossroads here.
Well, I know there's a way through this.
- There always is.
- Yeah, that's the thing, Zach.
I don't think there is this time.
What do you mean? What I mean is that I've spoken with everybody.
And we have come to the consensus that we're done with branding.
And all that stuff.
And that's it? You're just gonna dismiss the whole concept? I'm not dismissing the concept, just not right for us right now.
- (laughs) - Deacon, come on.
That's crazy.
We just need to feel good about what we're doing, and the music we're making.
No, it's okay.
I get it! I get it! You're a bunch of hopeless romantics.
Artists, yeah, amazing artists.
But artists are so subject to the laws of physics, Deacon, like everybody else.
So if the money goes out, there's got to be a way for it to come back in, or else there ain't no more! Okay? So I will say this to you one last time.
You opt out of this and it's over! We're just doing what feels right to us, Zach.
You should do the same.
Juliette, listen to me.
Big changes always feel like you're starting over.
It's not like we're all gonna crash and burn.
Bad analogy.
I'm sorry.
I just mean, you know, maybe we'll have change course.
But we're not gonna stop making music.
Nothing could ever make us do that.
I know that.
I love you.
I know that too.
Thank you.
For what? I didn't really do anything.
Yes, you did.
You always listen to me.
Even when I'm being full of myself or difficult.
You still listen.
I'm really lucky to have you.
That goes both ways, you know.
Then that's a good deal.
- I'll talk to you later.
- I love you.
Hey, good morning.
How's the home front? Fine.
Fine? All right.
I guess sometimes fine is gonna have to do.
Yeah.
You're an incredible person, Avery.
- No, I'm not.
- You are.
You are loyal and you're kind.
And I just hope that she appreciates you.
Well, what can I say? She's an exciting woman.
And sometimes you pay a price for exciting.
Well, if you ever want something a little less complicated Thanks.
- I - It's okay.
Okay.
There's my girls.
You're going to be amazing, Dad.
I'm gonna do all I can.
That's all I can do.
Come here, you.
Come over here.
Don't you cry.
Come on, you did not do anything wrong, okay? - No, Dad - Listen to me.
You did what you felt was right in your heart as an artist.
And that is exactly what I should have done.
And it's what your mama wanted us all to do at Highway 65.
So don't cry.
Well, thank you, but that's really not why I'm crying.
Then why are you crying? Mom would have been so proud of you, Dad.
So am I.
Go be great.
(laughs) (crowd cheering) Now welcome back to the center stage spotlight, your host for this portion of tonight's show, the Opry's own Pam Tillis right there! Thank you, Bill.
Thank you, everybody, thank you.
This next guest has been on the Opry stage over 200 times.
Each of those times performing with my dear friend, the late, great Rayna Jaymes.
But tonight, I get to invite him into the Circle for the very first time.
Please make welcome Deacon Claybourne! (crowd cheering) Thank y'all so much.
It's hard to explain what it means for me to be here tonight in this place that Rayna loved so much.
But I'll be honest with you, I would give anything if I could be standing right there, and she could be standing right here.
- This is for Rayna.
- (applause) Without you I'm tryin' the best I can Without you I've lost the one thing I ever had Without you This lonely is all I have Without you My heart feels sad - (crowd cheers) - (new song plays) It's as much your fault as it is mine We can point our fingers all damn night But you know as well as I do We're both crazy There ain't no one who can fight like us Go all twelve rounds scream and cuss 'Til we don't remember why we were even angry But you know I want you And I know you want me That's all that matters Ain't it baby And I'm never running Unless it's closer to you So slam the door and I'll slam it back Baby I love you and it's as simple as that - (cheering) - Thank you so much.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate y'all.
This is my last song of the night.
And this is a song I wrote 15 years ago under very different circumstances.
But I don't believe it's ever been more true than it is right now in this moment.
Between the steeples and the dirt The wheat fields and the empty church It's hard times just getting by Better pray for a run of luck For the sun and my hopes get up And I'm just tough enough to try Well it's been dry like the county line It seems like anything moving is leaving town And I'm all alone Hoping she'll come home It's like waiting on good rain or Jesus to come down So come on good rain Come on Jesus Make it okay 'Cause tomorrow don't mean nothing If she's not here She's everything She's everything Well it's been dry like the county line It seems like anything moving is leaving town I'm all alone Hoping she'll come home It's like waiting on good rain or Jesus To come down (music continues)
Brand partnerships.
The best kind of integration is entirely frictionless.
All we are asking is that you give this a chance.
We need to talk.
Billy put together a tour for me.
You're gonna do this without even talking to me.
This is something that's been building in me for a long time.
- What about us? - I'm not breaking up with you.
- It's a tour.
- I don't want you to leave.
Scarlett and I are taking some time.
I don't know what to do with myself.
You could play some shows with us.
Or just come along for the ride.
(cell phone buzzing) (cell phone continues buzzing) DAPHNE: Maddie? You awake? Yes.
I'm getting up.
We'll be late! Let's go! All right.
Let's see if this'll work.
Do I have to wear this thing? You'll be very happy you're wearing a wetsuit out there, believe me.
It's gonna get mighty cold when they turn the water on.
How do they not see it? We cut it.
(groans) That dress is beautiful! Do they have to curl my hair so much? It really does not feel like me.
Oh, my God, you're like breathtaking! No, no.
That's the suit.
I literally cannot breathe.
This is so exciting.
Your first song is in a commercial.
Think about how many people are going to hear it.
- Yeah ow! - Great dress! God, look at your hair! Cooper? Leslie? Miss Maddie Jaymes.
- These are for you.
- Thank you.
We are so psyched that you are the face of Mascara 24.
Thank you.
And don't forget about the party tonight at Charlie Mae's.
It would mean so much to the New York folks.
Yes.
Sounds like fun.
- Hey.
Maddie excited? - Hey.
Yeah.
I mean, I guess so.
She's never really done anything like this before.
Well, I think it's gonna be amazing.
She'll get the exposure.
We get to keep working with the hottest agency in the business.
You would know all about that.
Deacon, come on, man.
We've got momentum, okay? Highway 65 has two nominations.
We gotta keep going! - We're going! - We're back on the map! All right, we're on the map.
We're going.
And so are you, I hear.
What's this about you playing the Opry? Yeah.
I might play the Opry.
Dude, you should.
I mean, you're being featured, man.
I think this would be a great thing for you.
You're always helping everybody else out.
It's about time you were the center of attention.
(crowd cheering) Thank you, San Antonio! Whoo! Do you hear that? You guys were amazing! Polly, you always say that.
And I always love it when you do.
I'm serious.
You really connected tonight.
You hear the audience? The energy was crazy.
Hey, guys! Can we not break the amps, please? MAN: Sorry, Polly.
- Not good.
Ah, thank you.
- Your phone's buzzing.
- Babe! Hey! - I just got her down.
I think she's coming down with a cold.
Which means I'm gonna get a cold.
And I'm supposed to be in a recording studio.
Okay, listen Everything's gonna be fine.
Just take some of those herbs that I left for you.
- Can I call you right back? - Yeah, sure, no problem.
My album will just be horrible.
Our child will have pneumonia.
You just go have fun.
She's gonna be fine and so are you.
Blow Cadence a kiss for me, all right? I love you both.
Don't forget that.
(sighs) I'm so tired.
Why do I have to do this? 'Cause you're the star.
Daphne, they literally tried on a million different dresses on me and makeup tests.
And none of them were ever satisfied with anything.
Oh, my God, now I have to show you this suit I have to wear underneath to keep me dry.
That is so cool.
- So cool? - Yes.
Okay, here we go.
We're just gonna pour some rain on Daphne - No, Maddie! Maddie! Don't! - No, no, no You're having way too much fun in here tonight.
I'm having fun.
Maddie's far too busy complaining.
Shut up.
Why do I have to do this, Dad? Because, my sweet, you are the star.
- See? - They're turning me into this character.
It's like it's not even me.
I'm sorry, sweetie.
It won't be much longer.
Think of all the people who get to hear your music.
Hurry up and go to your party.
And you, I'm sorry, my dear, need to hurry up and go to bed.
Do you want to come to this party with me? Maddie, I wish I could.
I'm just wiped out and I got more work that I got to get through before I go to bed even.
Daddy, you work too hard.
You just need to have some fun.
Just like you always tell us.
One fun thing did come up.
Really? Yeah.
I got asked to play the Opry.
- That's awesome.
- That's cool.
With who? With myself.
- Like as a featured performer? - In the circle? - Yeah.
- What? - That's amazing.
- Oh, my God! Well, it was real nice for them to ask.
Well, you're gonna do it, right? I don't know.
I got a lot going on right now.
Please go to sleep.
Please tell me you're not wearing that.
- No.
It's not what I'm wearing.
- (laughs) Look at that face! - My daughter loves you! - Really? Thank you.
You are so poised for your age.
Isn't she? Perfect girl.
How are you holding up? Just really tired.
Yeah, well, just hang in there.
I'll get you out soon, girl.
(clinks glass) I'd like to say that we are incredibly thrilled to have the young Maddie Jaymes as the face of Mascara 24.
We hope this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Welcome to the family, Maddie.
- Thank you.
- Yeah, Maddie! The CEO came out just for you.
- Congratulations.
Yeah.
You did it.
- Thank you.
And now he wants to talk to me.
What could that be about? - These people are so annoying.
- I know.
I love your top.
Hey, what's up? I'm sorry about this song of hers.
It tested great.
I don't see a connection with our mascara.
A tidal wave can't wash it off.
And how will people know that? 'Cause they'll hear it in the song.
They won't hear our mascara in the song.
Because the song is about a tidal wave.
At $800,000 a minute, maybe it should be a song about mascara.
(crowd chanting) Maddie! Maddie! - Sing us a song! - Maddie! Maddie! Maddie! Maddie! Maddie would love to sing.
But she has a sore throat.
So I need to get her home, you guys.
Yeah, you don't want her to get sick, right? No, no.
She will see you all on set tomorrow, okay? - Feel better! - Perfect.
- What about you, Alyssa? - Oh, perfect! Come on, Alyssa! Oh, no.
I don't sing, you guys.
- I don't sing.
- Sing us a song.
- No, I don't sing.
- Come on, come on! - Alyssa! Alyssa! Alyssa! - Why don't you just go? We know everybody in Nashville sings.
I'm from Seattle.
- Okay, okay, oh my God.
- (crowd cheers) But I'm only doing this because margarita! all: Margarita! "You don't know me.
" The song? Okay.
No cell phones, okay? I will throw all of them in the fountain outside.
Each and every one of them! You give your hand to me And then you say hello And I can hardly speak My heart is beating so And anyone can tell You think you know me well But you don't know me (cheering) You don't know the one Who dreams of you at night Who longs to kiss your lips And longs to hold you tight To you I'm just a friend That's all I've ever been But you don't know me (cheering) I'm out here alone and treading water The clear air tells me there's a storm coming Not afraid of the dark cloud Gonna wait it out - Got me racing my heart now - Cut! Cut! - (buzzer) - That's not enough rain.
Does that look like a storm to you? - All right, let's go again.
- Back to one.
Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Cue playback! And action! I'm out here alone and treading water The clear air tells me there's a storm coming Not afraid of the dark cloud Gonna wait it out Cut! Cut! That's too much rain! Looks more like a like a monsoon! All right, let's go again! I'm out here alone and treading water The clear air tells me there's a storm coming - Cut! - Not afraid of the dark cloud Gonna wait it out Got me racing my heart now Maddie, can you please try not to shiver? I'm waiting to be Oh, wow.
Well, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that people are actually going to be listening to that.
Great job, guys.
Quick break.
By the way, I heard that you're playing the Opry.
Clearly, somebody canceled at the last minute.
(laughs) Wow.
You're even worse than I am.
Who second-guesses an invite to play the Opry? I mean, it's amazing.
It's really amazing.
I just don't know when I'm gonna find the time or brain cells to even rehearse for it, so Hey, listen, if this is keeping you from any of that, - I really don't want - No, please.
This, I know what I'm doing.
Highway 65, not so much.
That has been a recurring thing ever since I'm sorry.
I keep telling myself I'm doing it for the girls and for the artists, but in the end, I just wish I could talk to her, you know, like we used to.
All right, let's get back to it.
Okay.
Well, I'm happy for you.
- For what? - (phone buzzes) - For playing the Opry.
- Come on.
You're kidding me.
Juliette, why on earth? - Why'd you do that? - That's so funny when that happens.
He's the doctor.
You should do what he says.
Great.
All right.
All right, whatever.
I'll call you when we get to Houston.
Babe, I do support you.
(laughs) Talk to you soon.
Juliette, please don't.
Don't do this.
Love you, babe.
Everything okay? Uh, what's the opposite of okay? That is called being on the road.
It's just hard when you're not there.
Yeah, it is.
Thanks.
I don't know.
I just I can't keep fixing it for her, you know.
Why do you have to? It's part of the job description.
Oh, so it's a job.
I didn't mean it like that.
Well, what do you call relationships? - Fun.
- Fun? Yeah, fun.
Fun.
I'm waiting to be saved by your tidal wave Take me away t-t-take me away - Saved - Cut! (buzzer) I don't believe you're seeing a tidal wave.
The reaction has to be bigger.
You don't want me to be scared? No, because you're being saved by the tidal wave.
It's surrender.
It's peace.
Okay.
So like a big look of surrender.
Exactly.
Saved by your tidal wave Take me away t-t-take me away - Saved - Cut! Cut! Do you understand what I mean when I use the word transcendent? No.
All your hopes and dreams, everyone you've ever loved, are all parading in front of your eyes right now.
Because there's never gonna be another moment in your life ever.
It's all just this moment.
I'm waiting to be saved by your tidal wave Take me away t-t-take me away Saved by your tidal wave - Take me away t-t-take me away - Cut! - (buzzer) - Cut! That's it! That's it! - That's perfect! - Awesome.
Colin, her hair was in her face.
It won't match.
Yes! Going again.
She needs a break.
Time for a break, okay? Everything okay? Oh, yeah, she'll she'll be fine.
We want to make sure she's okay with all this.
Oh, Maddie's a professional.
You have nothing to worry about.
Then we're hoping she's receptive to our new idea.
Idea? Tom is very concerned about the song.
Yeah.
He mentioned something at the party, but It's really an easy fix.
Instead of "got me racing my heart now and I'm fading out," she sings "I got my Mascara 24 and I'm not fading out.
" It just makes everything so much clearer, don't you think? Absolutely.
I just don't know that Maddie's gonna be okay with changing her lyrics.
Well, Tom is over the moon about this idea.
And once he's over the moon We need you to make her okay with it.
- I'll see what I can do.
- Yeah.
Great.
Okay.
Guys, we're gonna start with that one, all right? Michael, did you get the changes to the end of "Good Rain?" - Yes, I did.
- (cell phone rings) You want to run that one right now? Yes, please.
That would be great.
- Just give me one second, okay? - Take your time.
Hey, Zach, what's going on? Hey, I know you're super busy.
But you may need to go talk to Maddie.
- What's wrong? - Well, they want to make a little change with the lyrics, and she's upset about it.
- What changes? - I don't even know! I just know it's literally a couple of words.
And the client's freaking out.
Zach, calm down, all right? Now, how's Maddie? She had a total meltdown.
Okay? The director sent her home for the day.
(sighs) All right, I'm on my way.
Okay.
Look, Deacon, I know this is your daughter.
But please remember that the client has a couple of million dollars into this deal.
And we cannot have another Birch Tree Habitat fiasco! I said I'm on my way, all right? Guys, I'm sorry.
I appreciate y'all being here for me I gotta go.
It's my daughter.
Can you finish up without me? Yeah.
We got it covered.
- Just do what you gotta do.
- Thank you, Michael.
Thank you.
(knock on door ) Maddie, it's Dad.
Come in.
Please don't make me do this.
Sweetheart, this is not me making you do this, all right? This is me trying to help you understand that being a grown-up means sometimes having to do things that we don't want to do.
But I don't want to be a grown-up.
Yeah, me either.
Have you heard what they want to change it to? It's beyond stupid.
My songs, they're all that I have.
I know this feels like selling out.
But, baby, everybody goes through this.
This is part of the business.
Now more and ever But they want my song.
The song it literally came from the bottom of my heart! Every single note was a piece of me.
And you more than anyone should understand that, Dad! I do, baby.
I actually do.
Deacon! Just the man I wanted to see.
Good, because we got to talk about this damn commercial.
I realize this is a difficult situation for you.
But I need you to understand that everything we are asking of Maddie is in her best interest as an artist.
All due respect, Zach, this is my daughter's first big song.
How the world hears it, - that will shape her whole career.
- That's what I'm saying.
Brad Paisley, "Nationwide is on Your Side"? It didn't hurt his career, Deacon.
Well, Brad is an established artist.
But, Deacon, this would launch her.
Maddie does not agree.
Neither do I.
Wait.
Are you seriously talking about Maddie breaching her contract? No, Alyssa.
I'm saying this was never part of the deal, all right? If anybody should be blamed, it's these jokers for changing the game while we're playing it.
Actually, you're wrong.
"The undersigned hereby grants the rights of the client to edit, change, add to, take from, rearrange, modify, vary, alter, reformat, reprocess the material in any manner they see fit.
" Who agreed to this language? You did, Deacon.
You signed it.
It's standard boilerplate.
They wouldn't accept anything less.
It's how these companies operate.
(sighs) Then you lied to us, Zach.
- I lied to you? - Yeah.
You did not pitch this the way it is at all.
- Oh, this is my fault? - This is not how any of this was pitched by you.
You never really believed that I have Highway 65's best interest at heart, have you? Oh, my God, I supported you, Zach.
Even when I didn't understand you.
- Only because Rayna wanted you to.
- That's true.
What the hell does that have to do with right now? I'm so tired! I've done everything I can to keep this company going! And all anyone ever does is give me a hard time! And I've never held this over you, Deacon, but What? I can't keep pushing the boulder up the hill! It's hard for me to say this.
But if you can't get Maddie in line, I'm done.
- Done how, Zach? - Out.
O-U-T, done.
As in I will give you my 90-day notice as per our contract.
And at the end of that 90 days, Highway 65 will be out of money.
Water's deep as we fall It's hard to breathe beneath it all Feel my hand reaching out for you If fate looked like an hourglass And you and I were made to last Would we still be lost in the blue And here we are wanting more You and I rose and thorn But I don't really wanna love another We have each other (cell phone buzzes) When everything has come undone Hearts will race Hearts will run When they break we're always taking cover Here we are wanting more You and I rose and thorn But I don't really wanna love another We have each other Bye! - Uh, you want some? - Sure.
Woo! Haha - Mmm.
- Thanks.
(cell phone rings) - It's cool man, you can take it.
- Nah, just gonna be another fight.
Yep.
Being gone sure does shake stuff up.
Maybe that's a good thing.
Sometimes it can help you see things more clearly.
Yeah, like all the stuff you did wrong? Yeah, or how hard it is? Geez, you guys you got to trust that your partners can take care of themselves.
You don't always have to solve every single thing for them.
Yeah, but relationships are about being there when they need you.
Constantly? What about your freedom? What do you mean, freedom? I think you know what I mean by freedom.
Just another word? (laughing) At least my boyfriend and I are realistic.
If we're not in the same town, we figure it out.
We don't ask each other questions.
Okay, Bobby McGee.
Avery, you take care of her.
You're there for her constantly.
You solve every single mess she gets herself into.
What if just for once you didn't? So I'm supposed to pick and choose the times I'm there for her? I think I'm gonna head back to the hotel.
If you need me for anything, I'm gonna be at the bar.
Whoa.
What do you mean, whoa? What do you mean, what do I mean? It's obvious.
- No way.
- Yes, way.
She's, you know, into being happy.
(chuckles) She was looking at you.
No, she was definitely looking at you.
(both laugh) - Anybody? - I'll take some.
- Here you go.
- Quiet night last night? Uh, yeah.
So thank y'all for joining me here.
I wanted to catch everybody up to speed on what's going on with Highway 65.
Juliette and Hallie are sorry they couldn't be here.
I'll be talking to them individually.
What's wrong? Well, right now it's about Maddie's commercial.
A client is asking they're demanding to change the lyrics to her song.
Yeah, but they can't do that, though, right? It turns out they can.
Zach sold this whole thing to us as some kind of experiment.
Where we could go along with it as far as we were comfortable.
But it's looking like that is not the truth.
So what are our options? Well, I think right now is the time we have to figure out what it is we believe.
And how much we are willing to sacrifice for it.
For Maddie, she feels like changing the lyrics to her song undermines the integrity of the song.
And, well, of herself as an artist.
I agree.
It's one thing to sell products for them.
It's another to change the words to your music.
It's part of who you are.
Yeah, no question.
This could be any one of us.
- That's going too far.
- I hear you both.
But I feel like it's my job to let you know where this whole thing's gonna go if we do decide to stand firm.
At this point, Zach is out of patience.
We don't do things his way, he is gonna walk.
That'll pretty much mean the end of Highway 65.
I'll change the words, okay? - It's really not a big deal.
- Okay, no, it is a big deal.
And we're not just gonna let you do that.
Whether we like it or not, we're all in this together.
DAPHNE: So this is about fear.
What, sweetie? If we're afraid, we can just do what Zach tells us to do.
Or we can do what feels right.
That's beautiful, sweetheart.
And there's a whole lot of truth to it.
It's just I'm afraid it's not that simple.
Why isn't it? What's the point of Highway 65 if it isn't what Mom wanted it to be? Rayna signed us 'cause she loved our songs.
Not 'cause she saw dollar signs.
You're who Rayna trusted to steer this company, Deacon.
So it's gotta be your decision, not ours.
- I agree.
- Me too.
Whatever you decide, we're with you.
Daphne? I'm heading out, sweetheart.
You gonna be okay? Yeah, I'll be fine.
See you later.
All righty.
How about you? How you doing? Highway 65 was Mom's biggest dream.
No, that's not true.
You and Daphne were.
I know that, but she loved it so much.
And I just I cannot be the reason it dies.
Listen to me.
If this ends, it will not be your fault But it kind of would be.
And I just don't know if I could live with that.
Baby, please stop putting this on yourself.
It's on me.
It's my decision.
Have you figured out what you're gonna do yet? Not yet.
I'm hoping it'll come to me.
What? We're all supposed to suffer because Maddie won't budge on a few lyrics? I practically just got to this label.
And now I'm supposed to up-end my career.
Well, if that's how you feel, then that's how you feel.
I want you to tell me how you feel.
I don't know how I feel.
And that shouldn't sway your decision.
It's okay if we disagree.
I think we should be more independent sometimes, you know.
What do you mean by that? Independent how? I think you should figure out how you feel.
And not second-guess yourself.
- Are you mad at me? - No.
- Are you having an affair? - Are you crazy? All I'm saying is you got to do what you got to do without my input all the time.
Wow.
Okay, thanks.
Thank you very much.
(honks car horn) Hey! - What are you doing? - Get in the car.
Jessie, I'm sorry.
I can't.
I got like 10 things I got to go to right now.
I'm not asking you, Deacon.
I'm telling you.
Get in.
Whatever this is, I'm not doing it.
Just get out of the car.
Jessie, I don't have time for this.
- You do have time.
- No, I don't, Jessie.
You have one hour.
An hour for what? An hour for yourself! You've been wound up so tight you can't even breathe! I promise you, this is not helping with that, all right? - Just get out of here, all right? - What's happening is you're pissing me See what happens and I'll be waiting here when you get back.
All right.
See you later.
Bye.
I'm not getting How's the road been lately How's the love that you left Are you living each moment Just thinking about the next Well I would call a man Who seeks adventure And a story of his own So if you find yourself Would you still feel restless It's 'cause everyone's looking for home Why do you think that bird sings? He's singing for a million reasons probably.
But mostly Because he can.
Thank you.
Not sure you were right.
Hang on one sec.
People keep asking how I'm doing, you know, all the time.
You okay? It's nice, but I know what they're really saying.
They're saying when are you gonna start getting on with your life? When are you gonna start moving on? I can't.
And maybe you never will, not completely.
No one has the right to tell you how to do this, you know.
But do you think that she would want you to be in so much pain that you forgot yourself? Don't you think she would want you to live this one life right now? That's fine.
I have a Listen, I'm gonna have to call you right back, okay? Guys, can we have the room, please? - Hey, guys.
- Yeah, no, that's fine.
Thank you.
- Hi.
- Hey.
Have a seat.
I called Alyssa too.
Asked her to join us.
Of course.
So, obviously, we're at a crossroads here.
Well, I know there's a way through this.
- There always is.
- Yeah, that's the thing, Zach.
I don't think there is this time.
What do you mean? What I mean is that I've spoken with everybody.
And we have come to the consensus that we're done with branding.
And all that stuff.
And that's it? You're just gonna dismiss the whole concept? I'm not dismissing the concept, just not right for us right now.
- (laughs) - Deacon, come on.
That's crazy.
We just need to feel good about what we're doing, and the music we're making.
No, it's okay.
I get it! I get it! You're a bunch of hopeless romantics.
Artists, yeah, amazing artists.
But artists are so subject to the laws of physics, Deacon, like everybody else.
So if the money goes out, there's got to be a way for it to come back in, or else there ain't no more! Okay? So I will say this to you one last time.
You opt out of this and it's over! We're just doing what feels right to us, Zach.
You should do the same.
Juliette, listen to me.
Big changes always feel like you're starting over.
It's not like we're all gonna crash and burn.
Bad analogy.
I'm sorry.
I just mean, you know, maybe we'll have change course.
But we're not gonna stop making music.
Nothing could ever make us do that.
I know that.
I love you.
I know that too.
Thank you.
For what? I didn't really do anything.
Yes, you did.
You always listen to me.
Even when I'm being full of myself or difficult.
You still listen.
I'm really lucky to have you.
That goes both ways, you know.
Then that's a good deal.
- I'll talk to you later.
- I love you.
Hey, good morning.
How's the home front? Fine.
Fine? All right.
I guess sometimes fine is gonna have to do.
Yeah.
You're an incredible person, Avery.
- No, I'm not.
- You are.
You are loyal and you're kind.
And I just hope that she appreciates you.
Well, what can I say? She's an exciting woman.
And sometimes you pay a price for exciting.
Well, if you ever want something a little less complicated Thanks.
- I - It's okay.
Okay.
There's my girls.
You're going to be amazing, Dad.
I'm gonna do all I can.
That's all I can do.
Come here, you.
Come over here.
Don't you cry.
Come on, you did not do anything wrong, okay? - No, Dad - Listen to me.
You did what you felt was right in your heart as an artist.
And that is exactly what I should have done.
And it's what your mama wanted us all to do at Highway 65.
So don't cry.
Well, thank you, but that's really not why I'm crying.
Then why are you crying? Mom would have been so proud of you, Dad.
So am I.
Go be great.
(laughs) (crowd cheering) Now welcome back to the center stage spotlight, your host for this portion of tonight's show, the Opry's own Pam Tillis right there! Thank you, Bill.
Thank you, everybody, thank you.
This next guest has been on the Opry stage over 200 times.
Each of those times performing with my dear friend, the late, great Rayna Jaymes.
But tonight, I get to invite him into the Circle for the very first time.
Please make welcome Deacon Claybourne! (crowd cheering) Thank y'all so much.
It's hard to explain what it means for me to be here tonight in this place that Rayna loved so much.
But I'll be honest with you, I would give anything if I could be standing right there, and she could be standing right here.
- This is for Rayna.
- (applause) Without you I'm tryin' the best I can Without you I've lost the one thing I ever had Without you This lonely is all I have Without you My heart feels sad - (crowd cheers) - (new song plays) It's as much your fault as it is mine We can point our fingers all damn night But you know as well as I do We're both crazy There ain't no one who can fight like us Go all twelve rounds scream and cuss 'Til we don't remember why we were even angry But you know I want you And I know you want me That's all that matters Ain't it baby And I'm never running Unless it's closer to you So slam the door and I'll slam it back Baby I love you and it's as simple as that - (cheering) - Thank you so much.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate y'all.
This is my last song of the night.
And this is a song I wrote 15 years ago under very different circumstances.
But I don't believe it's ever been more true than it is right now in this moment.
Between the steeples and the dirt The wheat fields and the empty church It's hard times just getting by Better pray for a run of luck For the sun and my hopes get up And I'm just tough enough to try Well it's been dry like the county line It seems like anything moving is leaving town And I'm all alone Hoping she'll come home It's like waiting on good rain or Jesus to come down So come on good rain Come on Jesus Make it okay 'Cause tomorrow don't mean nothing If she's not here She's everything She's everything Well it's been dry like the county line It seems like anything moving is leaving town I'm all alone Hoping she'll come home It's like waiting on good rain or Jesus To come down (music continues)