Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles will release her first solo album this fall. The vocalist – and multiple Grammy, AMA, ACM Awards, CMT Awards and CMA Awards winner – has enlisted the help of esteemed producer Rick Rubin on the project.
Rubin, previously co-president of Columbia Records and founder of Def Jam Records, has worked with a variety of artists including Johnny Cash,  Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, Lana Del Ray, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Dixie Chicks.
“I am absolutely thrilled and wholly proud to be working with Rick,” said Nettles. “If you ask any musician who is on their producer ‘bucket list’, Rick would be on each and every one.”
According to Rolling Stone, Nettles and Rubin have been working at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, Calif., with several ace studio musicians, including keyboardist Ian McLagan (who worked with the Rolling Stones), drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), bassist Jason Lader (who has worked with Mars Volta), guitarists Smokey Hormel (who has played with Beck and Tom Waits) and Matt Sweeney (known for his work with Cat Power). Both Sweeney and Hormel worked on Rubin’s American Recordings series with Johnny Cash.
This weekend, Nettles will be in Las Vegas as a presenter at the Billboard Music Awards on May 19.

“A Picture from Life’s Other Side”
Season 1 | Episode 120 | Aired 05/15/2013
Nashville has been picked up for a second season on ABC, albeit without producer Loucas George. The show will remain in its Wednesday night, 10 p.m. ET/ 9 p.m. CT, time slot.
Next week’s season finale looks like a doozie. Last night’s episode was full of big plot developments, mostly in the last few minutes of the show. Juliette’s mom Jolene died from a drug overdose after shooting and killing Juliette’s blackmailer Dante. Juliette discovered them dead in her mom’s apartment in an apparent murder/suicide. Also, Juliette’s relationship with Avery continued to develop, including a songwriting session together.
A storyline that has been bubbling all season is heating to a roaring boil. Rayna’s daughter Maddie snooped through her mom’s things and discovered that Teddy is not her biological father. This will play a major role in the season finale (see video below).

Rayna continued to build her record label, and was very impressed by Will (Chris Carmack) during an audition. He floored her and her manager with a performance of “A Showman’s Life” (written by Jesse Winchester–the song has also been recorded by George Strait on his album Here For A Good Time).
Rayna revealed the name of the imprint, Highway 65, during an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. The occasion was the Opry debut of her first label signee, Scarlett. Shown escorting the young songwriter to her dressing room was real-life Opry exec and Nashville executive producer Steve Buchanan. Supporting Scarlett on one of her finest performances to date were musicians Jim Lauderdale and Sam Bush.
Too bad Scarlett’s beau Gunnar wasn’t in the audience to see her shine. Instead, he and Will were in lock-up following a bar fight. The brawl broke out after Gunnar played “If Momma Coulda Seen Me” (written by Steve Earle) and a guy in the audience questioned the authenticity of the lyrics about spending time in prison.
At the Opry, Scarlett’s ex, Avery, watched proudly from the Opry balcony and even sent a gift to her dressing room. Later, when Scarlett bailed the guys out of jail, she told Gunnar she was fed up with his new bad-boy persona, and said he should take a hike until he could get his act together.
Other songs featured on the episode included Rayna’s “It’s My Life” (written by Sarah Buxton and Bob DiPiero).
Next week, look for Brad Paisley in the season finale.