10 music-themed tv shows

But was homegrown Tutti-Frutti better than Nashville?

SINCE Nashville first appeared on our TV screens in 2012, the series has become a worldwide success.

The glossy drama about the lives and careers of fictional country music singers – think Dallas with music instead of oil – has garnered a fanatical following.

Spin-offs include a series of albums featuring songs from the show as well as concerts starring the cast members.

Four of them were in the UK last week for the Nashville Live tour and played a sold-out show in Glasgow.

Charles Esten, who plays Deacon Claybourne, was one of the performers.

“The reaction from the audiences was unbelievable,” he said.

“We talk between the songs about what it’s like to play the characters and we also play some of our own songs as well as favourites from the show.”

Portraying a country music singer meant Charles had to display his musical talents as well as acting chops in the audition process, but he had a good grounding in both in the UK more than 20 years ago.

His big break came when he played Buddy Holly in the Buddy musical in London’s West End, and then became part of the Whose Line Is It Anyway team on the Channel 4 comedy.

“It’s like coming home,” he admitted. “Buddy was my acting school.

“Half of the week I played Buddy and the other half another actor did it, so some nights I would be swamped by people as I came out of the theatre and other nights I would be ignored.

“That taught me to never confuse the love of the character for the actor, something I adhere to with Deacon, which is the role of a lifetime.”

The success of Nashville has led to Charles playing historic country venues such as the Grand Ole Opry but it looked like the show was coming to an end after the fourth series – which will be shown on Sky Living this summer – when its US network cancelled the show. However, following an outcry from fans it’s been picked up by another channel and the show lives on.

“I was grateful for the time we were given rather than being sad about it ending, but it makes sense to keep it going when you see the passion of the fans,” Charles added.

“I said to the rest of the guys it would have been difficult standing on stage, with the reception we were receiving, if we knew we weren’t making any more shows when you see the love there is for it.”