ABC STUDIOS AND BIG MACHINE RECORDS ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE MUSIC PARTNERSHIP FOR ABC'S UPCOMING DRAMA SERIES "NASHVILLE"

Check Out the First Song from the Show, "If I Didn't Know Better"

ABC Studios and Big Machine Records, the leading independent Nashville-based record label home to superstars such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts, announced today an exclusive partnership to release and market music from the critically-acclaimed upcoming ABC series "Nashville." Stars Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson, Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio are among the cast slated to sing original content created for the series by established and breakout songwriters. Grammy(R) Award-winning producer T Bone Burnett serves as the executive music producer. Dubbed one of fall's most anticipated new TV dramas, "Nashville," premiering Wednesday, October 10 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network, was shot entirely in Music City, and pulls back the curtain to reveal the inner workings of the music industry.

Under this new partnership, Big Machine Records will release original music from "Nashville" each week on both iTunes and ABC's Music Lounge. Multiple songs from the show's first episode will become available on iTunes beginning October 9, including "If I Didn't Know Better" -- a song written by John Paul White and Arum Rae and sung by Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio.

"This is a dynamic and innovative partnership," said Peter DiCecco, senior vice president, ABC Music Business Affairs. "Unlike any other show, the music originates with the story. By doing this, television's next great drama will have a soundtrack to match."

"Nashville is a project that is very close to our hearts, and we are elated to have found a partner with the same passion and vision for the accuracy we are trying to achieve in the show," said Dawn Soler, senior vice president, ABC TV Music. "Scott Borchetta and the Big Machine Label Group came to the table with a great sense of enthusiasm and commitment to creativity that will uniquely maximize the music experience".

"We are very selective of where and how we place our music into visual media," said Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group. "Music has to feel organic, appropriate and authentic when it is paired with on-camera visuals. When I saw the pilot for 'Nashville,' I knew instantly we needed to be part of it. Not only does our partnership make sense given how closely the show reflects the nature of the music business, but the show's talent has created some incredible music. We look forward to working with all of the amazing actors and actresses on the show."

Music by Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) artists will also serve as the soundtrack for the series. The premiere episode of "Nashville" opens to the Eli Young Band's No. 1 hit song, "Even If It Breaks Your Heart," a dynamic vocal group and song that are both nominated for CMA Awards (airing Thursday, November 1 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. ET on ABC). Other BMLG artists featured in the first episode include Greg Bates' current Country radio hit, "Did It for the Girl," as well as Justin Moore's No. 1 smash hit, "Small Town USA."

The Big Machine Label Group is composed of Big Machine Records, The Valory Co. and Republic Nashville (a joint partnership with Universal Records). "Nashville" is a co-production between ABC Studios and Lionsgate Television.

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ABC Music Lounge: http://abc.go.com/music-lounge