Juliette's publicist sets her up with a squeaky clean rookie football player named Sean to repair her image and Juliette dislikes him sight unseen. Rayna wants a new producer and a new sound for her new song. She picks Liam, a rock 'n roller who doesn't want to work with Rayna and who the label doesn't want. Avery's band gets some interest from two promoters, but one (Marilyn) makes it clear her interest isn't just business and comes with a price.

Rayna and Juliette are forced to work together for an upcoming event. Juliette's relationship with Sean hits a bump in the road. Scarlett goes out for a night on the town with Gunnar and his girlfriend with the hopes of cheering herself up.

Scarlett tells Gunnar she has two passes to Deacon's concert in Austin, but Gunnar says he's making the trip because of family obligations. She convinces him to take her along saying they can work during the long drive. Cy (band leader) is jealous of the attention Deacon is getting with the press and the women, which prompts him to make a bad move and Deacon quits the band. Juliette files divorce papers, Sean files annulment papers. Rayna isn't happy with any guitarist playing in Deacon's place. The election results come in.

The label throws a party to celebrate the success of "Wrong Song" and Rayna is courted by another label. Juliette is unhappy with her mother's attendance and behavior at the party. Deacon holes up at home and battles his addiction. When Juliette finds him, he asks how she can have so much concern for him and none for her mother when they are fighting the same battle. Scarlett asks Gunnar to consider playing with Avery's old band. Avery ignores Marilyn's advice on negotiating his contract for a better deal and signs the first offer.

Deacon finally accepts Juliette's offer to tour with her, and Rayna's not happy about it. Liam wants Rayna to change labels, neglecting to mention he has a side deal. Rayna fires him and hires a woman guitar player. Rayna gets her own label and wants to sign Scarlett and Gunnar. Rayna struggles with being on the road with Deacon, and finally texts him to come up to her room. When she opens the door, it's Teddy who came to tell Rayna he wants a divorce. Juliette slips a ballad that she and Deacon wrote into the show and the crowd response is OK, but Glen has a fit. The song ends up online and is popular. Scarlett is having trouble making rent and Gunnar hates his roommates, so they agree to move in together platonically. Avery has a camera follow-along interview and takes them by Scarlett's house. That evening Gunnar and Avery get into a fist-fight.

Gunnar is blaming himself for his brother's death, and sleeping with Scarlett didn't help. Scarlett turns to Deacon when Gunnar goes after the killers. When Gunnar doesn't show for their label audition, Scarlett has to play solo. Deacon is at his wit's end dealing with the puppy, so he takes it to the vet (Stacy) and promptly starts dating her. Dominic tells Avery that he owns him, and Avery will play what and how Dominic wants. Avery torches all the master tapes of the music, signs a publishing contract, and gives Dominic a cheque telling him to take a hike. Rayna's crisis manager books her on the Katie Couric show. Rayna deals with (Maddie) her eldest daughter's disrespect, and ends up giving Maddie the first guitar she ever played to help her deal with her feelings. Juliette tweets her small concert location and six people get hurt in the mob that shows up, including Maddie. Juliette continues dodging her mother's counselling sessions until she overhears one.

Dante sends Juliette a blackmail demand. Juliette asks Avery to help with her new song. Gunnar goes on a radio show; Scarlett doesn't like what he says and gives him a piece of her mind. Will uses information from Scarlett to crash Rayna's auditions. Will and Gunnar get in a bar fight and Gunnar misses Scarlett's debut at the Grand Ol' Opry, but Avery makes it. Scarlett tells Gunnar she can't be with him the way he is now. Rayna has Deacon over for dinner with the girls and Teddy objects. He serves Rayna a restraining order and Rayna seeks Lamar's advice. Tandy goes to the board of Lamar's company over the leadership. Maddie goes through Rayna'a papers and finds the family secret. Dante changes his demands. Jolene buys drugs and contacts Dante.