Signs Point To ABC’s ‘Nashville’ Staying Put In Nashville

Isle of Printing created the “As Seen on Nashville on TV” prints and has been distributing them to local landmarks featured on the ABC drama. Credit: Bryce McCloud / Isle of Printing 2012

The casting agency that finds extras for the TV show “Nashville” is reopening its Music City office next month, according to a Facebook announcement. The company has been told shooting resumes July 17^th, even though the show has not confirmed publicly it plans to keep filming in Nashville.

Producers of the show wouldn’t comment. Neither would Mayor Karl Dean’s office. But Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation CEO Butch Spyridon says he’s becoming more optimistic.

“The fact that they haven’t started packing up the sound stage, the studios, is a good sign, I would think.”

Another good sign the show is staying put, Spyridon says, is that executive music director T. Bone Burnett (the husband of show’s creator) was replaced this week by a local – Buddy Miller.

After producer Loucas George was fired from the ABC drama, there were concerns about changing locations for season two. But city officials have made clear they will offer financial incentives to keep production in town. No numbers have come out, but Spyridon says his agency has offered what it can to sweeten the pot – $125,000.

“We don’t have millions to contribute,” he says. “But we want to show our support.”

Update 10 am CST: Producers Confirm to NBJ

Nashville Business Journal reporter Jamie McGee got producers to confirm they will be filming in Nashville for season two.

“I am very excited and looking forward to getting back to Nashville in just a few weeks,” assistant location manager Wendall Hinkle said.