Singer-songwriter Kip Moore brought the Nashville music industry out on a chilly evening (Nov. 13) to the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn. The crowd, composed of industry members and a select group of fans, got an early look at Moore’s upcoming sophomore album, through both a new documentary and through an acoustic set.
The Life In Rewind Films documentary, Burn The Whole World Down, gives a glimpse at the singer-songwriter’s life, both onstage and off. More than anything, it captures Moore’s intense passion for music and songwriting. After moving to Nashville to pursue his songwriting dreams, the 33-year-old says he purposefully lived in a $200/month apartment with no heat and, at times, no water. “I decided to work just enough to allow me to spend most of my time writing everyday,” said Moore.
Now, even with three consecutive chart-topping hits from his debut album, Moore still maintains a minimalist life, spending most of his time in the recording studio with producer and co-writer Brett James, and living the nomadic life of a traveling musician. Moore even invited viewers into the decidedly sparse, college dorm-esque room he inhabits while he’s in Nashville. “I’m writing the best I ever have because I still feel like I’m at the bottom,” said Moore. The documentary also showcased the intense focus Moore displays in the studio as he helps craft each song to perfection layer by layer, as well as his goofy side when he’s on the road with his long-time band.
The Georgia native did a Q&A with industry members and fans after the documentary. “I didn’t realize the pressure and the business that comes with it,” Moore says of adjusting to life in the public eye. “There’s so much gossip around your name and everything gets exaggerated. I’m starting to learn that’s the way it is and there’s nothing I can do about it, so I have to roll with it.”
Equal to his love of music is his love of the ocean. The documentary highlights Moore’s various trips to locales such as Hawaii and most recently Costa Rica, relaxed locations that allow him to recharge, contemplate new songs, and indulge in his love of surfing.
After the documentary screening, Moore treated the Franklin Theater audience to a brief acoustic set, combining familiar singles such as “Beer Money” and “Hey Pretty Girl” with a preview of songs from his upcoming album. He performed new tracks “Unless Heaven Has a Dirt Road” and the brooding “I’m To Blame.”
Moore says he thought the new album was complete, until the song “Come Back Kid” came along. “I’ve always felt like the underdog,” said Moore. “Brett James, I don’t care what you say, it’s going on the record,” he quipped to James, who was in the audience. The unreleased song garnered one of the most enthusiastic crowd responses of the evening.
Before closing with his new single, “Young Love,” (co-written with Dan Couch and Weston Davis), Moore thanked those from his team that had attended. “This has been a long road. I can’t express my gratitude for the life everyone in this room has let us live. I’m grateful for you guys who are fighting for us.”

Juliette Barnes knows how to make power moves as well as any music industry mogul, as she demonstrated in last night’s episode of ABC’s Nashville. While in Houston to open her tour, Barnes is underwhelmed when local radio station DJ Bobby Delmont states on-air that opening act Layla Grant is a better performer than headliner Barnes. Later at a business event, Barnes is less than affectionate to Delmont, who turns his sights on Layla. Delmont further humilitates superstar Barnes by instigating a press boycott during the concert, leaving the press box nearly empty.
Barnes vents her frustration to media mogul Charlie Wentworth, who also happens to be in Houston on business; she reveals that Delmont is known in the industry as Santa Claus, because young aspiring female performers learn to sit on his lap and flirt with him in order to get their songs played. This fact doesn’t sit well with Wentworth, and a short time later, Barnes learns that Delmont has been fired. When she learns that the Houston station is under the Wentworth media umbrella and that Charlie was behind the firing, she orders Wentworth to rehire Delmont, claiming that she doesn’t want Wentworth to fight her battles for her.
Barnes then meets with Delmont, letting him know that she was the one who had him fired and then rehired. She warns him against taking advantage of young aspiring female performers in the future, and demands twice the airplay as Grant receives.
Rayna Jaymes is dealing with daughter Maddie’s angst about her father Teddy marrying Peggy. Jaymes turns to Luke Wheeler for advice; Wheeler has also been through a divorce. The pair also seal the deal for Jaymes’ Highway 65 artist Scarlett O’Connor to become an opening act on his tour. After seeing her father looking happy at the wedding, Maddie drags her younger sister onstage to perform a song at the wedding reception, dedicating it to her father. The sweet moment is brief for Maddie, however; she later calls Rayna to come get her, interrupting the superstar’s fling with Wheeler.
Meanwhile, Deacon Claybourne is still grappling with how to live without being able to play guitar. He gets coaching from O’Connor’s current flame Avery Barkley, who accompanies him to an open mic night at Shotgun Sally’s, the first place Claybourne ever performed onstage. Unfortunately, the place is now a comedy club. He later finally returns to the stage with Barkley backing him up. He performs the soulful “You’re The Kind of Trouble” (written by Shannon Wright, Adam Wright and Paul Kennerley).
The scene is a uneven sequence in the episode’s plot, as Deacon suddenly sees Rayna and Maddie in the audience in front of him; in the last scene that featured Rayna and Maddie, the mother and daughter had been getting ready to watch a movie at home. Regardless, Maddie and Deacon are able to begin to connect after Deacon’s performance.
Meanwhile, Gunnar makes a power move of his own when Edgehill president Jeff Fordham calls to meet with him about having Will record Gunnar’s song. The only problem is that while Fordham wants the song for Will, Gunnar wants a record deal and slips Fordham his demo tape. The move works–Fordham calls him later to say he has potential as an artist. Fordham promises to pair Gunnar with a mentor, give him a showcase performance at the Music City Festival and put him on tour.
Just one problem with that little plan–the tour happens to be the same tour that his ex-girlfriend, Scarlett O’Connor is on. And it seems they are sharing the same tour bus.