ABC INVITES FANS TO NASHVILLE'S ICONIC BLUEBIRD CAFé IN A SERIES OF INTIMATE 'NASHVILLE: ON THE RECORD' VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCES

Footage Includes the Re-Creation of a Pivotal 'Nashville' Show Scene and 'In the Round' Musical Performances From Cast Members Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Aubrey Peeples, and Lennon and Maisy Stella

Beginning today, fans are invited to join the stars of ABC's acclaimed primetime series "Nashville" in series of virtual reality experiences set at the iconic Bluebird Café, one of country music's most storied listening rooms. Part of its ongoing "On the Record" digital series, ABC shot three "In the Round" musical performances with cast and singer/songwriters from the show, as well as a performance scene from the show featuring Layla (Aubrey Peeples) and Avery (Jonathan Jackson) in the middle of a very telling moment. The experience can be accessed on ABC.com/VR and via Littlstar's app for headsets, mobile, Apple TV and the web.

"If music is the heart of our show, then the Bluebird Café is its soul," said Dawn Soler, senior vice president of music at ABC Television. "Its signature 'In the Round' format is what makes it so unique. Singer/songwriters pull up chairs and perform in a circle in the middle of the café. They play, sing, tell stories, and basically just have fun with the music, the audience and with each other. With this VR experience, fans will literally be at the center of it all. It's a perfect format for virtual reality and a natural extension of 'On the Record.'"

"As storytellers, we strive to create a world rich with characters and stories that fans will want to completely loose themselves in," said Chris Thomes, vice president, Digital Media Studios, Disney|ABC Television Group. "Nashville fans love the music, and with VR, we can bring that world to life for them in way that is completely authentic and immersive."

The "Nashville: On the Record VR 'In the Round at the Bluebird'" episodes will be available as follows:

May 11 - Features performances by Charles Esten, singing "Let's Do This Thing," as well as a duet with Jaida Dreyer on "This Town." Jonathan Jackson offers a special performance of "Alleluia," and Lennon & Maisy Stella share "A Life That's Good."

May 18 - Features Chris Carmack's "Pieces of You." Sam Palladio shares his personal hit "Wake Me up in Nashville" and joins K.S. Rhoads for "Battles." Levi Hummon caps the performances with "Life's For Living."

May 18 - Full performance scene from that night's episode of "Nashville," featuring Layla (Aubrey Peoples), Avery (Jonathan Jackson), Bucky (David Alford) and Glenn (Ed Amatrudo).

May 25 - Features Clare Bowen and Brandon Robert Young singing "It's Not Yours To Throw Away." Sarah Siskind sings "Keep Me Alive" before joining Aubrey Peeples on "Too Far From You," and Erin McCarley and K.S. Rhoads perform their heartbreaking song, "I Will Never Let You Know."

"Nashville" airs WEDNESDAYS (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) on the ABC Television Network. Full episodes are available the day after they air on abc.com and the WATCH ABC app.

ABC Digital Media Studio's "On the Record" is a documentary web series that follows the life of original songs performed on "Nashville" written by singer/songwriters in the music scene, from the songs' inception to on-air premiere. The series offers an intimate look into the songwriting process, from guitar demo to music video and all the steps in between.

All original music is released by ABC Studios, Lionsgate and ABC Music Lounge in association with Big Machine Records.

"Nashville" stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O'Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Will Chase as Luke Wheeler, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad, Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad and Aubrey Peeples as Layla Grant.

"Nashville" is executive produced by Dee Johnson, Callie Khouri and Steve Buchanan. Buddy Miller is executive music producer and Frankie Pine is music supervisor. The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios, and Opry Entertainment, and is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Big Machine Records is the leading independent Nashville-based record label home to superstars such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts. The imprint is under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella, which also includes The Valory Music Co., Republic Nashville, Dot Records and Nash Icon Records, a joint venture with Cumulus.