IT'S the TV series which has introduced a whole new generation of fans to country music.

After six years, the show is approaching its final episode and there was definitely a poignancy in the air as Nashies gathered to bid farewell to their heroes live on stage.

Gunnar, Scarlett, Will, Avery and - of course - Deacon were there, in Manchester, in person.

It's credit to the stars of the show - Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Jonathan Jackson and Charles Esten - that they can hold an arena in the palm of their hands. Make no mistake these five can really sing.

And as any devoted Nashie will tell you, what has made Nashville compelling viewing, has been the quality of songs used in the show.

Each star took it in turns to bring some of those songs to life - What If I Was Willing from Will, Adios Old Friend from Gunnar, Sideshow from Deacon - they were all there.

Clare Bowen flitted round stage like a bejewelled Tinkerbell. Her version of Black Roses sent chills down the spine and, along with Charles Esten, she headed out into the audience during a duet of Hand to Hold.

Esten brought the first half to a close by devoting a version of Don't Look Back in Anger to the city of Manchester which went down well as you might expect.

The live show gives the performers to showcase their true abilities. Chris Carmack is clearly a mean blues guitar player and Sam Palladio ain't no slouch on the drums.

But the real surprise was Jonathan Jackson. In the first half of the show he did a stunning version of Simple Minds' Belfast child - bet that surprised the country fans. Then in the second half he surpassed himself. Following a dedication to his wife and children (real life one, not Juliet Barnes!) the opening bars of Unchained Melody began. Surely he wasn't going to attempt the Righteous Brothers' classic was he? Oh yes he was and boy did he pull it off. A standing ovation was the least he deserved.

Perhaps it was because it was a Wednesday night, maybe the fans were just stunned by the sight of their TV heroes on stage or maybe it was the knowledge that this was a farewell tour but the air of anticipation before the show didn't translate to a rocking arena all night.

Having seen last year's tour it didn't have the party atmosphere of those shows but for any devoted Nashville fan it was still a special night. Like the TV series, it was good while it lasted.