Esten, Bowen to perform songs from 'Nashville'

MORRISTOWN — Charles Esten and Clare Bowen, stars of ABC's Nashville, perform songs from the hit television series and other country favorites at Mayo Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m.

Tickets range from $39 to $89.

Charles Esten stars as Deacon in ABC's series Nashville. Born in Pittsburgh, he made his theatrical debut in London, starring as Buddy Holly in Buddy. It was during his run as Buddy that Esten first appeared on the original British version of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," with Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops. When "Whose Line" came to ABC, he became a recurring cast member and frequent song improvisor. Since then he has appeared on Drew Carey's Improvaganza and toured frequently, performing live improv shows with Stiles, Proops and Jeff B. Davis.

Esten's many additional television credits include recurring roles on "Big Love," "Enlightened," "The Office" and "ER." Besides being the father on Disney Channel's "Jessie," he has been a Klingon on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a secretary on "Murphy Brown" and Kelly Bundy's fiance on the series finale of "Married with Children." His film credits include "Swing Vote," "Thirteen Days," "61*" and "The Postman."

While on "Nashville", Esten has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and the historic Ryman auditorium. He was also honored to officially "flip the switch" at the 2013 Graceland Christmas Lighting ceremony. Many of the songs he has performed as Deacon (Undermine, Sideshow, Playin' Tricks, and including "I Know How To Love You Now", an original that he co-wrote with his friend, Deana Carter) are available on the seven "Nashville" soundtracks that have been released to date.

Clare Bowen stars as Scarlett O'Connor on ABC's musical drama television series "Nashville". A native Australian, she appeared as the female lead in Jared Moshe's directorial debut "Dead Man's Burden." The Western film explored the story of a husband and wife (Bowen's "Martha") trying to survive in New Mexico following the Civil War. Justin Lowe from The Hollywood Reporter declared Bowen "shines in the central performance as Martha." The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 16, 2012, and was released in the US by Cinedigm Entertainment Group on May 3, 2013. Bowen's other film credits include "Not Suitable for Children" opposite Ryan Kwanten, The Clinic, and 10 Days to Die.

Bowen has appeared in several of her home country's iconic television dramas, including "Home and Away", "All Saints", "The Cut", and "Chandon Pictures". She also appeared in the Australian film The Combination.

Bowen resides in Nashville, Tenn., where she is currently collaborating with T-Bone Burnett on her debut solo album.