Just as Hollywood is the centre for all budding actors and actresses, Nashville is the heart and soul of country music. This three-part series probes the city’s ties with the music industry, cutting through the hype to reveal its true nature.

On the way we meet the young Mindy McCready who, with her crop-tops and pierced navel, has caused quite a stir within the country music community. Country stars like Tammy Wynette aren’t known for revealing outfits and Mindy’s wardrobe choices have upset the traditionalists. But is it time for country music to modernise?  

We’re also introduced to Dale Watson, a musician in the same mould as Wille Nelson. Whatever he lacks in the image department, he makes up for in sheer talent. But, like all other music genres, country music is often concerned with the right look and not necessarily the right sound. Can his talent still push him to the top?

From the multi-million dollar earner to the newly arrived songwriter-performers, from the brightest stars to the veterans exiled from the business, we explore how country stars are made.

Episode 1: I Won’t Die for Any Man
Mindy McCready, a newly minted star whose first album went platinum is in Nashville to meet her fans. But Mindy's cropped tops, pierced navel and sassy attitude don’t sit well with the standard stand-by-your-man brigade who prefer the traditional charms of Tammy Wynette. We follow three generations of Nashville women – Mindy McCready, top-selling star Reba McEntire and legend Tammy Wynette.

Episode 2: My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Dale Watson is the most exciting new male talent to hit country music in recent years and a throwback to the great stars like Willie Nelson. Yet neither Willie nor Dale can get a record deal in Nashville because the record companies are too busy churning out bland confections by a succession of look-alike cowboys. Meanwhile, the MCA Records marketing machine gets to work on singer/songwriter Keith Harling.

Episode 3: Hillbilly Hollywood
Nashville is to songwriters what Hollywood is to aspiring actors. A mecca offering everything from instant stardom to rejection and obscurity. For the budding country and western songwriter, all roads lead to Nashville and to future success without any heartache.