Deana Carter talks auditioning for Rayna Jaymes

Among the musical highlights of ABC's "Nashville" season premiere was "I Know How to Love You Now," a tender acoustic ballad Deana Carter co-wrote with one of the show's stars, Charles Esten.

It's Carter's first cut on the show, but it turns out she goes way, way back with "Nashville" — when the show was still in the planning stages.

"I auditioned for Rayna," she says, referring to the lead role that eventually went to Connie Britton. "I know quite a few people did. I think Connie does a great job. And I love the show, I'm a huge fan."

While Carter didn't make it to the cast, she was on set on Wednesday as Esten performed the song live on the season premiere. The pair also filmed a performance of the tune for "Nashville's" online video series "On The Record."

Like Rayna Jaymes, Carter has started her own label. Her version of "Highway 65" is Little Nugget Records, which released her latest album, "Southern Way of Life."