03x14 - Somebody Pick Up My Pieces

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "Nashville"...

Got to hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Uh, right now, I'm a friend.

Gunnar: Micah's not mine.

Kiley cheated on me with my brother.

You've been served.

Sadie: He's staking a claim to my entire career.

I filed a restraining order.

But he just figured out a way around it.

Jeff introduced me to this woman.

I found out that she was, um...

A prost*tute?

Yeah.

He needed my help with a situation Layla Grant overdosed on pills and almost drowned in Jeff Fordham's pool.

What are you doing here right now?

I got fired.

You may recognize this guy from his tour with Luke Wheeler and, of course, his reality television show, "Love and Country."

I'm speaking of Will Lexington, who is with us this morning to give us the premiere of his new single, "I'm On it."

Man, it's good to see you.

Well, thank you. It's great to be here.

It was a little tough getting up this early, though.

I'm more of a night owl, myself.

A newly single night owl.

Chuck: That's right, last seen with a cheerleading troupe.

Hold on.

No, I'm serious.

Why don't you go ahead and get us set up there?

Before you start clawing into the man's personal life, give him a chance to sing his song.

Debuting the brand-new single from Will Lexington, this is "I'm On it."

♪ I know you're rollin' down the runway out of L.A.X. ♪
♪ Takin' off to wherever you're goin' next ♪
♪ It doesn't matter that I'm nowhere near that jet ♪
♪ Baby, I'm on it ♪
♪ you know this memory ain't gonna leave you alone ♪
♪ You can try to drown it out with your headphones ♪
♪ But it doesn't really matter what comes on ♪
♪ Baby, I'm on it ♪
♪ girl, you thought I was gone when you left me ♪
♪ But it's gonna be hard to forget me ♪
♪ Keep tellin' yourself that it's over ♪
♪ The only over I'll be is over your shoulder ♪

♪ I ain't gonna fade away with the taillights ♪
♪ down with the moon, baby, up with the sunrise ♪
♪ and it's... ♪

[Music stops]

[Sighs]

Hey.

You're still here?

Yep.

What's going on?

Just trying to figure out my next job...

Places I'd like to work and the people to get me in the door.

No, uh, I meant what's going on with us?

Am I part of some midlife crisis you're having?

I don't know.

Okay.

Well, I don't know, either, but whatever it is, it's kind of... weird.

Good morning.

Is this 'cause Jeff Fordham got fired?

Yes! [Laughs]

[Laughs]

No, I mean, not really, but Jeff Fordham did get me thinking about how important good executives are to a label, which got me thinking about you.

You've just been with me from the beginning.

You've helped me build my career.

And... and now I want you to help me build Highway 65, so I want to ask you, Bucky, if you will be head of A&R.

[Cork pops]

Whoo!

Wow. [Laughs]

What do you say?

I'm... yes, of course. Thank you.

Are you sure?

Yes, I'm positive.

Listen, nobody knows what I want for this label better than you do.

Cheers to that.

Salud.

You take your meds this morning?

Yes.

Gonna walk today?

Well, I walked yesterday.

I imagine I will walk today, yeah.

If I am late, it is her fault. [Sighs]

Think you might have gotten me hooked on this stuff.

Oh! [Chuckles]

Y'all two consulting without me now?

No, I just had some questions, is all.

So, uh, the reason that I called you in is because a spot has opened up in the clinical trial of a new potential treatment.

I thought you said my only option was a transplant.

Well, I said that traditional therapies aren't really gonna be helpful at this point.

Um, but this trial, however, is studying a drug combination that researchers hope will be effective at eliminating the tumor without surgery.

That would be amazing.

If it works, which it might not, right?

It might, though. What are the downsides?

It's aggressive, so there's a high risk of common side effects.

Everything has side effects, doesn't it?

Please, Scarlett.

[Scoffs] Is that it?

By participating in the trial, you would have to forego transplant surgery, should a donor liver become available.

Forego?

For six months, at least.

Your immune system just wouldn't be able to handle it.

[Laughs] Well, that's great.

I got two options now, neither of which is a sure thing, and they both cancel each other out, right?

I imagine I'll just flip a coin at some point, right?

Might as well.

How soon do we need to let you know?

By the end of the week.

I'll take care of it.

Look, Scarlett...

You do know that this isn't your responsibility, right?

You can't let his condition consume your life.

You're allowed to have one.

Thank you.

♪... through my veins, yeah ♪
♪ that sweet novoca-a-a-ine ♪

No. k*ll it.

It's not working.

What are you hearing?

[Cellphone rings]

It's [Sighs] more what I'm not hearing.

Coming to the studio today?

Soon. I got to talk to Rayna first.

Hey, if she can get Jeff Fordham fired, she can get a lawsuit thrown out.

I know. It's just embarrassing.

Well, first off, you've done nothing to be embarrassed about, and Rayna's not gonna stop believing in you because of this.

And trust me, you're not nearly as high-maintenance as some of her other artists.

Cancel the Vogue sh**t.

Cancel Vogue?

Yes, and while you're at it, get a restraining order against every Nashville photographer.

Ah. Let me guess, you're in Us Weekly again?

They say that I've gained 75 pounds.

I have not gained 75 pounds.

Tell me that I don't look like this.

You're pregnant. This is what pregnant people look like.

You know what?

This pregnant lady does not need to be immortalized in a massive Vogue sh**t.

J., the photo essay is about you and the fact that you're pregnant.

It's why you got the spread.

Glenn finally warms Anna Wintour up to the idea of me, and I'm wearing a tent?

Correction... a designer tent.

Blair: Welcome back.

Our last few minutes, along with Will Lexington.

Terri: Now, you know we're not letting you leave without asking about your love life.

[Chuckling] Uh, well, Terri, right now, for me, it's really all about the music.

Well, if you're not gonna give us the juicy stuff, can you please tell us what's coming up next professionally?

Well, I'm hoping to get back on tour soon, but, uh, I'm really looking forward to going back into the studio even sooner.

Chuck: Oh, wow, so you've heard it here first...

Will Lexington's second album in the works.

Chuck, I'm sorry for interrupting.

Uh, Will, I've got some breaking news.

This involves your record label.

Wow, you certainly have made a lot of progress for somebody who said I was crazy to start recording the last track today.

I didn't say "crazy." I said "hasty."

[Cellphone chimes]

No rush, since we don't have Jeff riding you about it anymore.

Well, whoever replaces him is gonna want a finished album.

[Cellphone chiming]

May as well get her done and make nice with the new boss.

I don't think you have to worry about that.

Benton media just made an announcement.

Oh, did they find a replacement for Jeff?

Mnh-mnh. They're dissolving the label.

Edgehill is dead.

What?

Nashville SO3E14

I wanted to get rid of Jeff. I didn't want to take down the whole company.

I mean, I started at Edgehill.

I started Edgehill.

I know, but there's some really great opportunities for us here, Ray.

They're releasing all the artists from their contracts.

Whole back catalog's gonna be up for sale.

I mean, it's gonna be a feeding frenzy, and we need to get in on it.

We should check with Will Lexington and see if he might like to make a different choice this time.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Hi.

Hey.

I'm really sorry to interrupt y'all.

I just wanted to see if I could talk to you for a second.

Sure. Come on in.

All right, well, have at it, new A&R man.

Oh, wow.

Uh, do you want to talk about what we're looking for, or... ?

No, I trust you.

Okay.

Thanks, Buck.

See ya.

Have a seat.

Thank you.

Look, pictures for your album.

Oh, yeah.

Uh, hey, Rayna, I, um... I feel really terrible about this, but Pete filed a lawsuit claiming that he co-wrote my songs with me and that he's owed back money from having managed me.

Who's Pete?

I'm sorry.

He's my, um... he's my ex-husband, and he also served me with a cease-and-desist letter, saying that I can't keep working on the album until this is all figured out.

I'm just so sorry.

You know, I know that this is a small label and th... and that you really need to release this album, and I really want you to know that I never would have signed with you if I had known that any of this was gonna happen.

Don't worry about it. Listen to me.

Just start from the beginning. Why is he doing this?

Because he is not a good guy.

Henry Benton, C.E.O. of Benton Media...

Jeff, it's Teddy. Listen, I, uh, I just saw the news about Edgehill, and, uh, I... look, I... I don't know what went down with Rayna, but I want you to know that I kept my end of the bargain, and I... I just need to know that, at least between us, things are okay.

So just call me back, please.

... To best leverage our position as a global leader in content and distribution across platforms.

The shocking move comes just one day after Edgehill president Jeff Fordham was reportedly fi...

Great.

Just went from unemployed to unemployable.

Benton media's a Fortune 500 company.

No one's gonna hire the guy who drove their music division into the ground.

I'm screwed.

Right, you're the only one who's screwed here.

I have no label, a crappy album full of songs that you made me record, and now anybody with enough cash can just buy the masters, okay?

So before I get the chance to even record anything new...

Hang on, hang on, hang on. What'd you just say?

Of course you weren't listening. I was sa...

No, no, Layla, I was listening.

The masters are available.

I can fix this... for both of us.

Where you headed?

Uh, Dr. Rand said something about me having a life.

Thought I'd get back to work at some point.

Mm.

And while I'm doing my job, your job is to look through all this stuff and make a decision.

You want to talk through pros and cons?

No, I don't.

[Cellphone rings]

And now I don't have to.

Mr. Barkley. What's up?

Avery: Hey.

Listen, uh, I'm in the studio, working on Sadie Stone's album.

Wonder if you can come lay down some guitars.

Can I do it right now?

Yeah, that'd be great.

All right. Where you at?

Buck's run.

All right.

I'm gonna grab a few things. I'll be right over.

Where are you going?

Studio. [Grunts]

I don't know what the hell to do here.

I know what to do there.

You all right?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.

Uh, how was the morning show?

Edgehill's folding.

What?

So now I'm not touring, I got nobody supporting my new single.

It's gonna crash and burn, which basically leaves me nowhere.

Come on, every label in this town's gonna want to sign you.

So explain to me how I haven't managed to get one damn call all...

Oh, crap.

My phone was on silent in the radio station.

I got like 10 messages.

Uh, still, though, starting someplace new, for me, is... given my situation...

I think I might move.

What?

Everywhere I look, I see Micah, and I start thinking about his mother and then his mother with my brother, and I just get... I get pissed, and I... I can't write anything.

Still, moving seems a little extreme.

Why don't you just write someplace else?

Woman: Big machine. How can I help you?

Hey, uh, this is Will Lexington, returning a call from Scott Borchetta.

Sure. Please hold. I'll see if Mr. Borchetta's available.

♪ I'm a red-hot woman ♪
♪ a fairy girl ♪

Photographer: You're looking great, babe.

Let's get this party started, all right?

[Camera shutter clicking]

Now, let's show off that bump, babe.

That's right, that's right. Shoulders back.

♪ Yeah, I'm a red-hot woman ♪

Just relax. Have fun with it, okay?

Give me a smile.

Come on, you got this.

You look really pretty.

How about a sexy pout?

Come on, Juliette. I know she's in there somewhere.

Where's the goddess, the siren, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Okay.

Look, babe, what can I do to make you feel better here?

Juliette: Well, you could stop calling me "babe. "

What if we changed your hair? That would really make a dif...

Scarlett?

What are you doing here?

Y... you got that nice music room at home.

Yeah, I just thought a change of scenery might do me some good.

How you been? I haven't heard from you in a while.

Busy. Um...

I'm sorry we haven't really got a chance to talk since Micah left.

Yeah, no worries.

So, what you been up to, exactly?

Nothing. Why?

Well, you just said you've been busy, is all.

Just work.

W... uh, which I should probably get back to, actually.

It's good to see you.

Yeah.

Well, uh... have fun, all right?

So you never pressed charges?

I hoped that the restraining order would be enough, you know?

I didn't want it getting out in the press.

I mean, I'm talking about while you were married to him.

I don't know.

I...

I guess I kept hoping that it'd change, that he would change.

Sometimes, he would...

You know, for, like, really long periods of time, and then he just then he wouldn't.

You had the guts to leave him. That was brave.

Yeah.

And it's been, what, five years?

It's been five years I have not heard from him.

And now, suddenly, he just shows up again?

Yep, yep, and I won a couple of awards, and his girlfriend left him.

I mean, he's not a logical person.

No, he's a monster, and I'm sorry.

And unfortunately, now you're gonna have to deal with him.

I know.

You feel okay? You feel safe?

You want to come stay at my house?

I've got a great guest room.

Aw, thank you.

I got it covered.

♪ So give me a sh*t, strong as you got, baby ♪
♪ 'cause I don't want to feel a thing ♪

I got to say, you got a lot of good work on this, Avery.

♪ No, no, no, no ♪

You sound so surprised.

Nah. I'm not. I just...

♪ I'm broken in two, strung out on you ♪

It's good. You've come a long way, man.

♪ I gotta numb the fire flowin' through my veins ♪

Anyway, let's get to work here.

I'm gonna give it a little slide on my Goldtop.

You know, I don't know if that's...

Can you give me some more gain on the Swart, just kick it up a little bit?

Cool.

I just... I don't want it to get too bluesy.

No, no, it's not gonna be bluesy.

It's gonna be, like, you know, textured, layered in there.

It's gonna be great.

Hey.

Hey.

Thanks for coming.

Yeah.

Thought you might be too busy meeting with every label in town.

Oh, I am.

And I can't stay long, but, uh, I wanted to hear from the horse's mouth why Benton k*lled Edgehill.

Oh, well, his advisers told him the record industry's an unsustainable business model and he should get out now.

Ah. You're probably not hearing that from the suits begging you to sign, huh?

Oh, they're not just begging, Jeff.

They're making some pretty substantial offers.

Yeah? Well, do yourself a favor.

Don't accept them.

[Chuckles]

That album that you haven't finished yet... buy the masters.

Release it yourself. Eliminate the middleman.

Well, you know better than anybody else I'm more interested in the music side, not the business side.

I do know that... which is why I'm offering up my services.

You want me to take my money and start a label for you?

No. Look, I want you to do it for yourself.

Yes, I will be the business side, but you will be the name, the brand, and the final word.

So tell me... why should I sign at Steel String?

We'll take that bad-boy image of yours and kick it up a notch.

Well, I'm not sure who that part of my story would appeal to.

Teens and their moms.

We're gonna play up your sex appeal.

There can't be any mystery about you or your music.

It's all about exposure.

Sounds great.

[Slide guitar playing]

You know what? Let's try something different.

Lose the slide.

Really cut loose on some single-note lead stuff.

Just give me one more time on that one.

I know a better way in.

Wayne, punch me in at the top, please.

Actually, Wayne, don't do that.

I'm telling you, Avery, you're gonna want this slide.

And I'm telling you I'd like to move on.

Bunch of runs are just gonna clutter this thing up.

Hey, I got an idea.

How about letting me produce this thing?

Yeah, okay.

20 years in the business. Just go ahead. We'll do it your way.

[Sighs]

[Elevator bell dings]

All right, well, listen, I am stepping on the elevator right this second, so I'll be right there.

Okay. Thank you. Bye.

Could you hold that?

Hey.

Hey.

[Chuckles]

How are you?

Uh, world keeps turning, doesn't it?

Crazy about Edgehill, huh?

Yep.

Figure everybody's coming after you.

That's why I'm here... go through all the offers with my lawyers.

I bet you're enjoying this.

Y... watching it all fall apart after you walked away.

No.

Makes me really sad, actually.

I loved my time there.

I have great memories from there.

What's done is done, I guess.

[Chuckles] Yeah.

Bet you never looked back once.

[Elevator bell dings]

All right, well, I... I hope you land someplace you love.

Yeah.

Jeff: Luke.

Hey. Let's do this.

You're in.

Yeah, first thing we need to do is go after all the best Edgehill artists, starting with Will Lexington.

Yeah, yeah, no, my thoughts exactly.

Will, Layla Grant.

No, no.

He... he's got talent.

She's... I don't know what. She's just a hanger-on.

Yeah, some of her old stuff is pat, but, well, she's moved on to more of an alternative sound.

Less and less commercial, even more of a reason to pass.

Look, would you just at least listen?

Jeff, the only reason I said yes to this deal is 'cause you said I had the final word.

Now you have it... "no."

Will Lexington, Arkansas Mountain Home, and Roy Harris, in that order.

[Knock on door]

Need your signature on these before the council meeting tomorrow.

I was supposed to hear from Jeff Fordham today.

Are you sure he hasn't called?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Then I need you to contact the chief of police and see if they can find Mr. Fordham.

He's had a pretty rough go lately... just lost his job... and I'm concerned about his well-being.

I'll take care of it.

[Door closes]

Hi.

Hey.

It's been hours since the Edgehill news broke, and my phone hasn't rung once.

Did you have any luck with Luke?

Yep. [Clears throat]

You're looking at the president of Wheelin' Dealin' Records.

Oh, my God! That's fantastic.

Why aren't you excited?

Um... he's not interested in signing you.

Layla, look, I tried hard, believe me.

I'm the girl who can't open soup.

He wants to make money, okay?

He has zero desire to nurture talent.

He doesn't care what you really have to say as a songwriter.

Well, nobody does.

I can think of one label head who'd care.

What if we just ignored the cease-and-desist letter?

You could, but since he's already filed a lawsuit, his attorney would likely then serve you both with temporary restraining orders, prohibiting work on the album.

So then what if we ignore that?

You don't want to do that.

Violating a T.R.O. can result in arrest.

Then he should be arrested for violating mine.

We could pursue charges, have him jailed for a short time, even, but it would have no bearing on the civil case.

Oh, for heaven's sakes.

I have to say, my recommendation is that we make a settlement offer.

I hate that idea.

His entire claim to me is that we made an agreement on a bar napkin years ago.

One both parties signed, which makes it a contract, and challenging its validity will easily take months, probably years.

What would the settlement be?

Half a million, at least.

I don't have that kind of money.

Well, your label does have a liability-insurance policy.

No, I can't ask you to do that.

It's what it's for.

[Sighs]

I hate that he's winning.

He's not winning. If we can get him away from you for good, get you in the studio, you win.

I'll start negotiating a settlement quickly.

But until we have a deal, you need to stop all work on the album.

["Novocaine" playing with single-note lead guitar]

Punch that up a little right there.

You're sure?

Absolutely.

[Cellphone rings]

I'll be right back.

Hey, hon. How's the sh**t going?

Juliette: It isn't.

He's a good kid.

What do you mean you fired the photographer?

The clothes were all wrong, and I feel fat.

Think maybe you're being a little oversensitive?

No, I'm pregnant.

Well, I think you're beautiful with or without clothes.

You really think so?

I'm sorry, Juliette, I... I got to go. O... okay.

Yeah, we'll talk about this later, okay? Love you.

["Novocaine" playing with slide guitar]

What are you doing?

I just wanted you to hear one good pass with the slide, without all the noodling, just so you could get a good listen to...

[music stops]

I'm not using the damn slide.

You're not even listening to the damn slide, Avery!

Yes, I'm listening to it.

No, you're not!

I... I heard it when you first came up with it, when you insisted on tracking it.

Now you're shoving it down my throat!

I mean, what the hell is going on with you?

[Telephone rings]

What's going on with me?

I'm trying to help you!

That's what's going on with me!

Studio.

You want me to go in there and just be a robot?!

No, that's not I can do that!

I thought the reason you called is 'cause I can do more than that!

It's because you're a great guitar player, not because I wanted a coproducer.

Wayne: As in right now?

Look, Deacon, I know what I'm doing.

I mean, I'm sorry, but you're... you're not in charge here.

Uh-huh. I'll let him know.

That was Highway 65.

All work on the album stops as of now.

There's a legal situation, I guess.

Permanently?

I guess I'll just head on home, then, if that's all right with you, boss.

[Sobbing]

You got a sec to look over something?

Scarlett?

Hey. Hey.

Scarlett.

Oh.

Hey, what's the matter, huh?

It's all right. Talk to me.

I can't. I'm sorry. [Sniffles]

I'm... I'm fine. I'm so sorry.

Scarlett, you're crying.

I was trying to focus on my work, and it wouldn't come, and I... I dug a bit deeper, and then this happened.

I get it, all right? It starts to hurt, right?

Yes.

Making music is hard by yourself.

But maybe we could do it together.

Not... not... not together, me and you, but, you know, together like you, me, and Avery, like at... like at Nashfest.

Yeah, that was fun.

Yeah. It was.

Yeah, we could, uh...

We could find an open-mike night somewhere.

Okay. Like old times?

[Both chuckle]

That sound like a plan?

Bucky: Hey.

Hey. Sorry I'm late.

No, it's okay. They haven't been waiting long. You're fine.

How'd it go with the lawyers?

[Scoffs] Not great.

Now neither Sadie or Juliette is working on their album.

Well, that's why we have wall-to-wall meetings, so we can find somebody who can hit the ground running.

Yeah.

Ready to get started?

Yeah. Bring 'em in.

Well, one of the reasons I even started the label was so it would be a place where artists could come and really determine their own creative direction.

Yeah, or you could just tell us what you want, and we could do that.

I know what you mean.

sh**t, when I started singing, you couldn't get me to not sing.

I mean, it was like a compulsion for me.

That's exactly how we are, except for Dougie, who really can't sing.

[Laughter] Good thing he's a genius on drums.

Y... you are a genius on drums.

Thank you.

That's what I love about y'all.

I feel like each one of you just plays your part in the band so perfectly.

I think you'd be a great fit for the label.

Well, it's definitely important to me to help my artists evolve so that they can have longevity regardless of industry trends.

You know what I mean?

What?

[Sighs]

[Dialing]

[Ringing]

Jeff: Hello?

Look. This is stupid. I'm leaving.

The last time I waited around this long, the meeting didn't even happen.

Hey, this is a different situation.

She's a sucker for women in need, all right?

You sit, you wait, and you listen to what I tell you.

Look, I got to go.

There he is. Will! How you doing, man?

Hey, man. Thanks for making the time.

Oh, after all the strangers I've met today, it is good to see some friendly faces.

Yeah, well, uh, we are friends, that's for sure.

But, uh, tonight, we were hoping you'd be into discussing some business.

[Groans] To be honest, I'm kind of businessed-out.

I'm starting my own label, Will.

And he's bringing me in to run it.

And I'd like you to be the first artist I sign.

[Laughs] Now, listen, I know what kind of sales pitch you've been getting all day, so let's talk about what I can offer you that nobody else can...

A chance to work with folks you already trust.

That's right. Hey, we know each other, buddy.

I've done pretty well by you, looked out for you.

That doesn't have to stop.

And, as an added bonus, uh, I am not signing your ex-wife.

[Both chuckle] And, uh...

You gonna be able to compete with the big g*ns while you find your way?

Son, uh, you are looking at the biggest g*n in the business.

Uh, g*ns.

[Cheers and applause]

Thank you, uh...

This one's called "World on Time."

♪ Oh, this heart ♪
♪ it's like a ringin' bell ♪
♪ it won't speak for itself ♪
♪ It's got to be rung ♪

Both: ♪ these friends of friends ♪
♪ these on and off agains ♪
♪ been where I'd never been ♪
♪ to find the one ♪

All: ♪ oh, baby ♪
♪ you came to my world on time ♪
♪ got here just in time ♪
♪ to light a fire ♪
♪ oh, baby ♪
♪ I got what I want, all right ♪
♪ 'cause you came to my world on time ♪
♪ Oh, my soul ♪
♪ it sings its own desires ♪
♪ it stands before the choir ♪
♪ That you lead ♪

Both: ♪ so lead me through ♪
♪ these waters full of life ♪
♪ until the other side ♪
♪ until we are redeemed ♪

All: ♪ oh, baby ♪
♪ I come to your world on time ♪
♪ get there just in time ♪
♪ to light a fire ♪

All right. Are you ready to make some decisions?

Rayna: Are we done?

Layla Grant's been sitting out there all day.

Well, she just showed up.

I told her we didn't have time to talk to her, but she insisted on staying, "just in case."

But, I mean, she's not what we're looking for, anyway.

She's not? Seems like she can sing.

No, I mean, I thought, since we lost Evan Ryder, we should round out our roster with another male act.

I don't care about that.

Speaking of which, where's Will Lexington?

Well, I called him twice. He never called me back.

And he's b*rned us before.

But, you know, we saw a lot of great options.

Really?

I did like Arkansas Mountain Home.

Yeah, but they decided to sign with Steel String.

No!

[Sighing] Oh, man.

We should go after Roy Harris.

No. Those boys are so not Highway 65.

They had a top-5-selling North American tour last year.

Well, I know, but we're still developing our brand.

We can't just sign somebody who's not gonna represent what we're trying to do at the label here.

We can't let stars in the making slip through our fingers, either.

Well, I don't want to just sign somebody for the sake of signing somebody.

Let's just not sign anybody, then.

Well, that's a terrible idea.

I mean, we sat there in the office this morning.

We talked about what a great opportunity this was, Ray.

I... I thought you trusted me.

Of course I trust you.

Okay, then, as your new head of A&R, I'm telling you we should make an offer to Roy Harris.

That is crazy. No.

All right.

[Sighs]

I'm sorry we kept you waiting so long, and I admire your determination.

Thanks.

Um... well, I'm sure that you know me from that stupid TV show or the two singles that Edgehill bothered to release, but I just... I want you to know that that's not the real me.

Well, I would love to know the real you.

I've made a lot of mistakes for someone my age... but, you know, I can't really regret them, because without them, I wouldn't...

All I know is that I've finally found what I want to say with my music, and I just want to be on a label that lets me be me.

So I hope that you like this... because I really want to work with you.

Man, that was so much fun.

You know, earlier today, I, um...

You were crying.

Yep. [Chuckles]

But not 'cause I was sad.

Just 'cause I was worried about what other people are doing or should be doing, and I forgot I'm allowed to have fun, too, so thank you for tonight.

You're welcome. [Chuckles]

I mean, hey, if it means that much to you, maybe we should make it a regular thing.

I mean, it's a great band. It's fun.

It's even better with you, according to Noel Laughlin.

The manager?

Yeah. He saw us playing at Nashfest.

I can give him a call and see if he's still interested.

Album I'm producing's on hold... so I'm in.

I got a bunch going on, but... I do love it up there.

Look, if you need something for yourself, if you want it, why not make it happen?

[Sighs]

[Knock on door]

Coming!

[Sighs]

Hi.

Hey.

Oh, come on in.

Oh, thank you, thank you.

Yeah, I'm sorry to just drop by like this, but, uh, I was kind of hoping I could pick your brain about something.

Oh, sure, yeah.

Can I get you some coffee or something?

Oh, I'd love some. Thank you.

How you been?

I've been all right. How about you? What's going on?

Well, uh... you heard about Edgehill going down?

Yeah, hard not to hear about that.

You been signed yet?

No, no. I had a few offers, but it's complicated, you know, working with new people, people who don't really know me, people who wouldn't like you so much if they did.

Yeah.

Well, what about Highway 65?

I know Rayna wouldn't care about none of that.

Oh, yeah, no, Rayna's great.

Uh, I'm not sure they're the right fit for me.

Okay.

I mean, say what you will about Jeff Fordham, but he knew.

And he had my back.

That makes it even more of a shame that he brought that label down, huh?

Yeah, he's starting a new one with Luke Wheeler.

Are you kidding me?

They made me an offer... a good one.

I mean, I'm sure in the long haul I could do better with the majors, but, uh...

You wouldn't have anyone there to protect you.

The messed-up part is... it's my decision, so why do I feel so damn helpless?

Well... having a choice isn't the same thing as having control, you know?

When you don't have that in your life [Inhales deeply] it can make a person pretty crazy.

What do you think I should do?

Well, I can't tell you that, but personally, I do tend to lean towards the devil I know.

[Chuckles]

[Country rock music playing]

♪ Yeah, I drank the day away ♪
♪ but liquor ain't enough to fill me up ♪
♪ It don't fill me up ♪
♪ been about 20 days ♪

Check, please.

♪ Since you said to me, "no, I ain't in love" ♪
♪ No, I ain't in love ♪

Tough man to get ahold of.

I've been busy putting my life back together after your ex-wife got me fired.

Sorry if returning your calls isn't a priority.

Look, look, I was backed into a corner.

I didn't know what she was gonna do.

So, how you doing?

I'm fine, no thanks to you.

In fact, I'm here scouting talent for my new label.

Hey, I... I'm glad to hear that. You've moved on.

No harm, no foul.

Mm.

So, you and I, we're... we're good?

I am, yeah. But I'm not an elected official.

♪ Heartache makes a damn good ♪

Woman: Here you are, sir.

Loose lips sink ships, buddy.

And now not only does Rayna know why you got blackmailed, but so does everyone else Henry Benton shares it with.

Nicely played, Mr. Mayor.

♪ What it's all about ♪
♪ I just need to hear a song ♪
♪ about somebody done somebody wrong ♪

Hey, babe! I'm taking off!

You want to come out so I can say goodbye?

Juliette: Uh... Nope. Have fun at band rehearsal.

I'm going to the studio.

Everything all right? Need any help or anything?

No, I'm fine.

I'm just trying on looks for the photo sh**t.

Photo sh**t?

I thought about what you said and I rescheduled.

I mean, it is Vogue.

I'm sorry. It's kind of hard to hear.

Are you saying I was right?

Okay, bye. Have a great day.

How you feeling?

Honestly...

Mm-hmm.

Ashamed.

Don't do that.

I am.

I'm ashamed that it has gotten this far.

I'm ashamed that it ever happened.

This is not your fault.

Now you're gonna come in, and you got to save me.

I'm angry at myself.

But mostly, I'm angry at him.

Yeah. Well, that's where you need to direct your anger.

He tried to use v*olence to control you.

Well, guess what. Today, we're gonna get that control back.

Valerie: Right this way.

Natasha: This is Natasha. Leave a message.

Hey. It's me.

Look, something's come up, and I really need to talk to you.

It's urgent. Call me back.

[Sighs]

Valerie: So, while this limits your claim to net profits against Sadie's first album only, for which you'll be retroactively compensated, you'll also get 25% of any of its future earnings.

For how long?

In perpetuity.

I think you'll find this settlement more than fair.

I think both sides can agree that a protracted court battle isn't in anyone's best interest.

To that end, this is as good an offer as we could have hoped for, and I'd advise you to sign it.

[Sighs]

What's a person supposed to say when they finally get what they deserve?

"Thanks" doesn't seem quite right.

We're done here.

I'll have copies sent to your office.

I appreciate it.

Hey, Pete.

I'm not exactly sure what your problem is.

Maybe the good lord only gave you two inches.

I don't know.

But I'll tell you one thing.

You ever try to contact my friend again or in any way mess with her, I will make it my mission to ruin you.

And unlike you, I actually have the power to do it.

[Guitar tuning]

Will Lexington for you.

Oh, thanks.

Hey.

You better not be calling to say you're going somewhere else.

Now, why would I do that when you already done so much for me?

Taking me on tour, showing me the ropes...

Man, let's just keep it going!

All right. I'm thrilled to have you on board, son.

This is gonna be a lot of fun.

Uh, listen, I got to run, but, uh, we'll touch base soon, okay?

Uh, yes, sir, yes, sir. Thank you.

And... and give my best to Jeff.

Jeff: Hold on, let me... let me guess. Let me guess.

That was, uh, Will Lexington saying yes.

Looks like we're open for business.

Listen, Jeff, there's no easy way to say this.

Uh, Jimmy's been putting feelers out all around town about Wheelin' Dealin'.

No one wants to work with the guy who brought down Edgehill.

Hey, that... that's a bunch of crap.

I... in a week, this will all be water under the bridge.

Well, being the little guy is already a strike against me.

I can't have your reputation be another.

Hey, I'm the one who knows how to run a label.

Hell, man, this was my idea!

And it was a good one.

I'm just sorry I can't have you be a part of it.

But, uh, good luck.

Hey, Doc. Uh, yeah, it's Deacon Claybourne.

Dr. Rand: Hi, Mr. Claybourne. What can I do for you?

Yeah, listen, I decided I'm gonna pass on that, uh, clinical-trial thing.

I'm just gonna stay with the transplant list.

Okay. Are you absolutely sure?

'Cause we don't need to let them know for...

I'm sure. I'm sure.

Uh... just gonna let go and let God, you know?

Sure. Okay, bye.

Hi.

Hi.

Uh, are you expecting to see your uncle here?

'Cause I just got off a call with him.

No, no, I came to see you.

Um... some real good advice you gave me yesterday about doing things for myself, and I... I want to return the favor.

You got no social life, right?

That is true.

I like talking to you, and you're really the only person I can talk to, so I thought maybe we could go someplace sometime and just... talk.

Unless there's some rule about doctors and their patients' relatives talking.

I... I don't know about that.

Uh, you're not a donor candidate for your uncle.

I... I just mean that, um, we can go out, and I would like that very much.

Okay.

[Chuckles]

Hey.

I want to thank you both for rolling with the shutdown, and I just promise it's never gonna happen again.

So he took the settlement?

He did. He is officially out of my life.

Here's to making a great record.

[Laughter, door opens]

Oh, hey.

[Muffled] Hey.

I'm sorry to interrupt, Sadie.

I was just, uh, working with Avery yesterday, and I, uh, well, I wanted to apologize.

Um, I was dealing with some things that had me a little frustrated, and I was taking it out on you.

I'm sorry.

I appreciate you saying that.

Yeah. I'm the guitar player. You're the producer.

And he's k*ller, by the way.

Mm-hmm.

So you tell me what it is you want.

I'll bring all I got to make it great.

All right.

[Chuckles]

["Blind" playing]

♪ I will take what is mine ♪
♪ I trust in my visions ♪
♪ but I will not trust my eyes ♪
♪ 'cause I'm goin' bli-i-nd ♪
♪ I'm goin' blind ♪
♪ I'm goin' bli-i-i-nd ♪

Wow.

Rayna: Yeah.

That's Layla Grant.

We're signing her.

Okay, that's a great song, and she's talented, but, I mean, you know that we wouldn't actually be starting from zero with her.

She's a negative.

The girl's become a walking punch line, and rebranding is not something that we have the time or money for right now.

All right, let's think about it for a minute.

I mean, we've got Sadie back in the studio.

A half a million dollars later.

Well, if you're worried about cash flow, we just bought a ton of the Edgehill library.

We're gonna do our "Highway 65 Presents" series.

That'll bring in some cash.

Right.

It's just that we're still really struggling with Juliette.

I d... I don't understand why you would want to bring somebody else on that's carrying a ton of baggage.

'Cause I don't care. I don't care.

You know, I want to have artists here who have something to say.

I believe that that is an artist who needs to be heard.

But we need to be learning from our mistakes.

But let's learn from Edgehill's mistakes, too.

You remember that place when it first started.

There was so much passion there.

There was so much great music that came out of there.

And I think over the years, they just lost sight of the passion.

It was just all about the bottom line.

I don't ever want that to happen here, not even for one second.

Can we do that and still make money?

Yes, Buck.

We can make great music and still make a lot of money.

Avery: I get to pick the movie tonight, remember?

I know.

Hey, the photographer sent over some highlights from the sh**t.

You want to see?

Absolutely. Let's take a look.

Look.

They don't bother you, do they?

Not at all.

But now the world can see you the way I do.

They're beautiful.

Hey. Where have you been? I've been calling you.

I got an offer from Highway 65.

You were right.

Congrats.

What's wrong, you and Luke have a rough first day?

Kind of, yeah.

I just got fired.

For the second time in three days.

What the hell am I doing here?

Here at my place?

In Nashville.

No one in this town is gonna work with me.

I will.

[Chuckles]

Yeah? How, hmm?

I don't have a job.

All I know is...

Forget whatever else is going on between us for a minute here...

When it comes to music, you believe in me, I believe in you.

That should count for something.

Yeah, that and a cup of coffee will get me a cup of coffee.

Or a percentage.

I mean, you are the reason I'm getting signed to Highway 65.

So, what, you want me to be your manager?

Do you want to be my manager?

[Doorbell ringing frantically]

Teddy! What are you doing here?

I need to see you. You don't return my calls.

How did you even know where I live?

Had to get my office to track you down! I need to talk to you.

I... I thought you decided we weren't seeing each other anymore.

No, no, I'm not... I'm not here to start things up again.

Look, we need a cover, in case anybody asks about our relationship.

Who would be asking?

I don't know, but in case somebody does, we just need to have our story straight...

Starting with how we met.

I... I don't know, maybe it was at a... at a fundraiser, at a... at a community event, something of that nature.

What aren't you telling me?

Is that the mayor?

Should I be worried?

Not if you do exactly what I say, so just listen to me, okay?

Just listen.