MY COVER WAS A SIMPLE PLEASURE
AS AN actor who loved music, winning a part in hit country TV show Nashville was a dream come true for Jonathan Jackson.
And he hit the height of his career last year in Scotland, when he got to sing a song by his heroes in their home town.
The singer is a lifelong Simple Minds fan and was thrilled to cover See the Lights with his Nashville co-stars at the Hydro.
Jonathan, who plays reformed bad boy Avery Barkley in the show, said: “Simple Minds have always been important to me, I have their entire catalogue
“I saw them on TV when I was 13 and the power of Belfast Child made a huge impression on me.
“I got to play in Scotland and the band were kind enough to learn See the Light. That was just amazing.
“I’d love to come back and spend a lot of time in Scotland and tour around.”
Jonathan joins fellow stars Charles Esten (Deacon), Clare Bowen (Scarlett), Chris Carmack (Will) and Sam Palladio (Gunnar) for the BY BRIAN McIVER Nashville farewell tour next Tuesday at the Hydro, having just finished filming on the sixth and final series of the country music soap.
The programme has spawned dozens of original hit songs and turned the actors into musical stars.
Cast members began touring after the second series. Jonathan said: “It was very small and we wanted to see what the response would be. “We played at some pretty small clubs and the reaction was incredible.
“The fans were ready to really join us on this musical journey, and we all got pretty excited.
“But I didn’t think any of us thought this would become what it has become.”
Speaking just before they wrapped shooting on the show’s final episodes, Jonathan said it would be an emotional tour.
He said: “It’s strange that it’s coming to an end. The show has been a real gift.” ● The Nashville Farewell Tour is at the SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Tuesday.