Connie Britton: Singing ‘Terrified’ Star Until Voice Coach (and Whiskey) Stepped In

Golden Globe-nominated actress Connie Britton had a lengthy list of credits on her résumé, including starring roles in "Friday Night Lights" and "Spin City," before joining the cast of the ABC drama, "Nashville." And although she has spent years perfecting her acting skills, it had been a long time since she shared her singing voice with audiences.

"Honestly I was really excited because I used to sing and dance when I first started out," she shared on the "Rachael Ray Show." "But I hadn't done it in a lot of years. I mean, I hadn't done it in a long time. So when this came along I just thought, this is an exciting opportunity and so amazing to play a country star. I was excited about the challenge to get back in my singing voice and all of that."

Connie admits, however, that she was initially intimidated by her character's frequent on-set performances. "I'm getting a lot more comfortable thanks to my amazing voice teacher," she explains. "They have taken me from where I was so terrified that the first time I recorded, they had to give me whiskey. I don't even like whiskey! I was like, 'hand it over.' And now I really, genuinely have a blast."

The single mom to Yoby, the 1-year-old she adopted from Ethiopia last year, has enjoyed family time with her new set of friends (including singer Sheryl Crow) while living in Music City.

"Nashville is a great town," she notes. "I've met so many really lovely people there. I'm going to go to L.A. right before the holiday, because we'll get off right before then. But, honestly, I've met so many lovely people in Nashville, we're going to have a tree-trimming party ... Everybody has been so welcoming to us. I think the people in Nashville are really proud to have a show there."

Connie is also spending time aiding a cause she believes in passionately. "I'm working with Curel and Direct Relief International, which is an amazing organization that sets up clinics all over the country to provide medical needs for people who are below the poverty level," she explains. "It takes the pressure off our medical system in terms of helping out those people. And then Curel has this amazing intensive healing lotion that is the most incredible thing ... It's really nice for those people to have products as wonderful as these."

Direct Relief International donates care packages to people all over the world, including those recently affected by Hurricane Sandy. To help support the organization, click here.

Connie also lends her voice to the show's just-released soundtrack, which also includes tunes by her co-stars (fellow Globe Globe nominee) Hayden Panettiere, Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio, among others.

"Nashville" airs Wednesdays at 10:00 PM ET on ABC.