Predators fans viewing the premiere of ABC's Nashville series tonight got a glimpse of some faces familiar from many, many evenings at Bridgestone Arena.

Members of the Small Time Rock Stars, the Predators' intermission house band, played the band backing the show's lead diva Rayna Jaymes. Guitarist Steve Mandile, bassist John Howard and drummer Chuck Tilley were instantly recognizable to Nashville hockey fans. Actress Connie Britton sang her own songs as Ms. Jaymes. The music rang true throughout under the direction of the show's celebrated music producer T-Bone Burnett.

The Small Time Rock Stars is the nom de hockey of Sixwire, five veterans of touring and recording who also serve as the house band for CMT's Next Superstar.

For suffering hockey fans, one of the pitifully few benefits of the current NHL lockout is the opportunity to sample what's on television besides hockey. Yet even a show like Nashville provides a reminder of what we're missing.