Juliette's mother shows up. Juliette calls Deacon to the studio to record the song they wrote (Undermine) in another attempt to sign him to her band. Rayna's girls perform in their school talent show. Rayna discovers information about her mother that gives her new perspective on her father, but they are still feuding. Scarlett and Gunnar go into the studio to record their demo, but things do not go smoothly.

Deacon offers to help talk Juliette's mother into rehab. Rayna says no to a Greatest Hits album again. Rayna is recording one of her and Deacon's songs for a commercial, it was altered and Deacon won't sign off on the change. Teddy and Coleman debate the baseball stadium. Teddy meets with Peggy and we learn it's not an affair they are hiding, it's a crime. Scarlett and Gunnar get an audition for one of their songs. When they need another guitarist Avery steps in, but he gets jealous and takes over the song by playing a flashy lead.

Juliette and Sean elope. Sean wants them to tell Juliette's mom on family day at rehab, but Juliette talks him into letting her go alone. Juliette and her mom continue to argue. Lamar uses Rayna's daughter to threaten her, and Teddy tells him to back off. Deacon is on the road with the new band and avoiding an interview, but not the attractive reporter. Avery tells his band that he made a solo deal. Scarlett agrees to be their lead singer in Avery's absence.

Rayna and Teddy disagree about how to handle the divorce right before Rayna steps on stage. Rayna is overwhelmed and for the first time in 20 years, she misses her cue. Scarlett gets a call that Rayna wants to sign her and Gunnar to her own label. Scarlett finds out Gunnar's brother is in town in violation of his parole. She refuses to let him stay with them pointing out it's harboring a fugitive, but later changes her mind. Avery is not happy with the way Dominic is changing his music. Glenn is not happy with the way Juliette is changing her music. Glenn tells the crew to run all Juliette's changes past him and he'll handle it, but when Juliette finds out she calls everyone including Glenn to a middle-of-the-night meeting to say it's her way or the highway. Glenn quits. Rayna goes out drinking with Liam. Rayna's oldest daughter overhears Teddy on the phone with Peggy and tells Rayna.

Deacon hates parties and watches Old Yeller every birthday, so naturally Juliette plans a surprise party for him. Rayna tells Teddy their daughter knows about Peggy, and Rayna will not cover for him like she did with the press. Despite filing in another county, the divorce is all over the tabloids and the paparazzi are all over Rayna and her girls. A crisis manager tells Rayna not to be seen in public with any man but her dad, but Rayna defiantly has Watty take her to Deacon's party. Rayna wrote a special song and Juliette says cattily that she's going to sing for Deacon, only she has to leave when her mother gets drunk. Teddy appoints Coleman as Deputy Mayor, infuriating Rayna's dad Lamar. Avery is in the studio and tells Dominic the music isn't right, but doesn't realize Dominic's responses are recorded. . . he isn't even there. Gunnar finds a gun in his brother's bag and Scarlett hits the roof. Scarlett gets Deacon to the party (attended by music celebs) on the pretext of finally hearing her and Gunnar sing. Two detectives pick Gunnar up at the party. Juliette gives Deacon an old yeller (yellow) dog.

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.

Juliette and Dante are still in bed when Rayna knocks on the door to say she has to go back to Nashville for a family emergency, and may have to cancel that night. Later Avery is searching for equipment, sees Dante in bed with Juliette, and Dante fires him. Deacon gives Stacy a key to his place and plans to quit the road, then hears about Lamar. Deacon challenges Juliette about Dante and she storms off. Deacon confronts Dante and says until he hears from Juliette, Dante can't fire Avery. Jolene accuses Juliette of stealing Dante from her and realizes they're sleeping together. At the hospital, Rayna and her sister see Lamar who is less than appreciative. Watty comes to the hospital, Lamar has a fit and ends up in surgery. Rayna realizes Watty is the musician her mother was seeing, and hears her mother was leaving Lamar the night she died. Tandy finds the connection between Lamar and Peggy. Scarlett tells Gunnar he's still having nightmares. She wants Gunnar to write with her, but he says he can't. Will gets closer to Scarlett and Gunnar; he and Gunnar play chicken with a train.

Rayna and Deacon are back together. Juliette finds out Dante's embezzlement was just a start. Rayna and Juliette are both nominated for the same CMA award and the label throws them a party where Juliette gets smashed. Right before stage time Juliette lays into Deacon who quits on the spot, so Avery steps in. Teddy asks Maddie to let him take her to the Father-Daughter dance, and Rayna tells him about her and Deacon. Coleman hears more about Teddy's past and quits. Gunnar records his brother's song, but the producer isn't interested in his own work. Gunnar offers more of Jason's songs, and Scarlett learns the truth. Will takes Scarlett to the label party and uses it to get Rayna his demo.

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.

Rayna tells the girls she's dating Deacon. Deacon gives Juliette his condolences on Jolene's death and she blasts him. Maddie tells Deacon she thinks he may be her father. The US Attorney's office notifies Teddy they're investigating the Cumberland deal. When Teddy contacts Peggy he hears surprising news. Scarlett and Avery meet for a meal. Gunnar brings flowers home and tells Scarlett he came clean about the music to the producer. Scarlett says flowers won't fix what's wrong and leaves to go hear Avery play. At the CMA awards, Juliette lashes out backstage and is horrified by what she said. She leaves. Deacon confronts Rayna backstage about Maddie's parentage, they argue, and he winds up in a bar. Rayna goes home where she and Teddy try to calm a hysterical Maddie. The morning of the funeral Glen brings Juliette her award. Rayna comforts Juliette at the funeral. Juliette arrives home where the mail includes a letter from Jolene. Tandy quits her job. Gunnar proposes to Scarlett. Rayna flips the car with her and Deacon inside.

The accident leaves Rayna in a coma. Deacon takes the blame for the accident and is sent to jail, but a fierce lawyer is set to find out the truth. Juliette decides to make the best out of the situation for herself. Gunnar moves together with Will while Scarlett prepares for her record deal.

Edgehill's new chief is determined to put the label back on top.

Death changes lives forever as a mystery arises; Scarlett and Gunnar receive an offer from Kelly Clarkson; a video adversely affects Juliette's reputation; Rayna is under intense pressure to succeed.

Scarlett's career is on a hot streak as she performs with Zac Brown; Rayna asks Deacon for help writing a hit for her new album; Jeff is furious when concert venues keep dropping from Juliette's tour.

Rayna and Luke organize a concert for the troops. Scarlett makes a decision about her future. Maddy's bond with Deacon grows. Will realizes the reality show might have been a bad idea while Juliette tries to forget what happened at the BMI party.

As Will Lexington's album climbs the chart with the help of Jeff Fordham's deep pockets, Rayna enlists Teddy's help to plan a huge, free concert at LP Field to draw attention to her Highway 65 debut. She will perform with Luke Wheeler and duet with Juliette before thousands of fans. Zoey, Avery and Gunnar rock out at a benefit for Deacon's favorite charity, Sober House, and Avery plans to serenade Juliette with a song he wrote for her. But when he attempts to sing it, he doesn't understand why she is not present. And Scarlett makes a decision about her future in Music City.

The brightest stars of Nashville have gathered in support of Teddy's music education initiative, "Note By Note," where Juliette plans her return to the spotlight, and Layla finds herself thrust into it, alongside Jade St. John. At the gala, Rayna, Deacon, Maddie and Daphne get ready to take the stage and perform, but before they can, Deacon receives the call he's been waiting for containing some life-changing news.

Juliette becomes so focused on her album that she puts it ahead of everything else.

Juliette breaks down during a talkshow appearance, prompting Avery's concern. When she continues her pattern of irrational and volatile behavior, she leaves Avery with a struggle of his own. Meanwhile, Rayna is determined to show the world that Highway 65 is not just a vanity project and devises a plan to sign Markus Keen, one of the biggest rock artists around.

Rayna's concerns about Deacon's business venture with an old friend threatens their relationship. Luke's relationship with his son is on the line following recent events.

Juliette Barnes returns to Nashville after receiving treatment for postpartum depression and finds herself at a critical crossroads. Layla, weeks away from launching her first album, courts a country-music superstar in order to secure an opening slot on her tour.

Gunnar gets to perform with music legend Elton John. Rayna and Deacon reflect on their relationship while Scarlett does some soul searching. Luke goes on a talk show to speak on a subject important to him, but the focus quickly shifts to a family emergency.

Juliette helps Maddie navigate the wave of attention she receives after her performance at the CMT Music Awards, and Zach demands the masters from Rayna and Deacon's unfinished album.

Juliet's first appearance since her plane crash brings on a bout of anxiety. Bucky and Zach are still at odds on the direction of Highway 65.

Juliette searches for a hit to put her gospel bomb behind her. Damien returns with grand plans for Scarlett and her baby. Maddie and Clay get pulled over by the cops.

Juliette continues to be plagued by her injury. Avery finally gets a taste of independence. Scarlett and Gunnar shoot a commercial. Deacon plays a charity event.

Gunnar goes to his hometown and faces the ghosts of his past; Maddie and Juliette find themselves nominated for the same music award; Deacon helps Jessie record; Scarlett learns self-defense.

Daphne struggles with the idea of Deacon dating. Juliette introduces Avery to Darius. Maddie and Jonas record a song but Maddie finds Jonas's life too public. Will seeks to enhance his appearance.

Deacon and the girls grow worried when Gideon starts leaving the house. Juliette confronts Darius. Twig tries to keep Jonah's secret from Maddie. Brad's behavior is not limited to Alannah.