'Nashville' star Charles Esten has found his dream role

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Charles Esten has found his dream role on ABC's "Nashville." As the drama series moves through its third season, playing the character of Deacon Claybourne has allowed him to utilize his acting, singing and songwriting talents.

"My wife likes to say if I'd written down on a piece of paper my ideal dream job, it would be nowhere near as good as what I actually get here," Esten said.

In real life, Esten could not be any further from the role he inhabits on the show each week. Where Deacon has a turbulent romantic life with his longtime love Rayna James, played by Connie Britton, Esten has been happily married for 23 years!

"Deacon wants everything that I already have," Esten said. "I married my Rayna. He's still fighting to get his."

Esten's singing world is expanding. He's part of a new "Nashville" cast Christmas album.

"I was the first to jump and say 'Yes please!' Christmas is my favorite holiday. To think that maybe that might be part of other people's Christmases, that's going to be wonderful for me," he said.

Esten performs "Blue Christmas" with country star Vince Gill on the "Christmas with Nashville" album, which will be available in November.

You can catch "Nashville" Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC7.