Behind the scenes on the set of Nashville ABC

NASHVILLE, Tn. — The re-creation of the Bluebird Café on the set of ABC’s Nashville is so authentic, that after taping one day, Erika Wollam Nichols, the real life GM of The Bluebird, headed to the bathroom where the restrooms are located in her actual restaurant, but found just a blank wall on the set.

RELATED: Secrets from the Men of Nashville | Nashville's Best Quotes 

So began our behind the scenes tour on the set of ABC’s Nashville. The set itself is located in a non-descript warehouse district outside of downtown Nashville. Once you walk through the doors however, it’s like you’ve been dropped into a mixed-up dream where some scenes are so lifelike that it’s easy to forget it’s not real. Even the trucks that take the equipment out on location confuse reality. The line of big 18-wheeler’s have ‘Luke Wheeler’ emblazoned on the side.

Details, Details

The details of each set are my favorite part. Rayna’s fully stocked fridge includes a few lime LaCroix waters. The living room is full of crystal country music awards. At first all these were borrowed and if you looked closely, had the wrong name, but not anymore. Rayna’s made it big time now. Mattie’s room is a typical teenager space. It has a corkboard full of friends pictures, and a poster of her favorite band BLVD. Deacon’s house has a manly vibe, and of course lots of old school albums and even a bunch of cassette tapes. His musical taste is quite varied. Juliette’s house is sleek. The living room is located in one area of the warehouse, the bathroom in a completely different area. The bathroom is about as big as the kitchen. Standing in the middle of the shower with your arms out, you won’t reach the walls.

Behind the Behind the Scenes

The real magic of the show happens on the other side of the decorated walls. There are over 200 people who work on the set behind-the-scenes. Although there was limited filming the day we were there, the place was buzzing with folks setting up for the afternoon taping. We passed a wall of paint tubs, chronicling the show in colors, and hung out in the guitar room learning the history of the many guitars and instruments the characters use. Apparently, the guitar room is a favorite of the show’s stars as well.

I wish we had more time in wardrobe, which is housed in a community of trailers behind the soundstage that once served as a Dillard’s distribution warehouse. The compact wardrobe trailer contained the costumes for each of the characters on the show.  There were a few of Deacon’s famous flannel shirts, a pair of Layla’s cowboy boots and a long sweater of Scarlett’s. Costuming is such a big part of creating the character. It would have been fun to dissect the clothing choices a bit.

Authentic Nashville

One of the coolest things about the show Nashville is the authenticity. When Rascal Flatts played, they brought in folks from his crew to help set up the stage, just to make sure it was right.  As I mentioned earlier, the real life owner of the Bluebird has played the hostess of the iconic restaurant on the show.  And Nashville songwriters write all the songs. Although the sets may not be real, there is a lot of real Nashville on the sets.

Watch Nashvillle every Wednesday night at 10 on ABC/WSOC-TV.

Sue Rodman publishes a local family travel blog called Field Trips with Sue. She's a member of the WSB-TV parent influencers panel, a faithful Nashville watcher, and a burgeoning country music fan.

WSOC