Nashville Girl (1976) - full transcript

(country rock music)

♪ Hold on tight ♪

♪ Baby let me take you ♪

♪ Baby let me make you fly so high ♪

♪ Off of the ground ♪

♪ Don't let go ♪

♪ We've gotta try to keep
this feeling we found ♪

♪ Say you're ready, come on ♪

♪ This old eagle wants to
fly high with his girl ♪

♪ Hold on tight, hold on tight ♪

♪ Hold on tight, hold on tight ♪



♪ I think it's love ♪

♪ Here we go ♪

♪ I can feel it building ♪

♪ Baby, say you're willing ♪

♪ And we'll be heavenly bound ♪

♪ Keep it up, keep it up ♪

♪ And once we're there ♪

♪ We'll never want to come down ♪

♪ Say it's all right, honey ♪

♪ You've got that something that I need ♪

♪ Been dreaming of ♪

♪ Hold on tight ♪

♪ Don't let go, don't
let go, don't let go ♪

♪ I think it's love ♪



♪ Say you're ready, come on ♪

♪ This old eagle wants to fly ♪

♪ High with his girl ♪

♪ Hold on tight, hold on tight ♪

♪ Hold on tight, hold on tight ♪

♪ I think it's love ♪

- Now I come to you from
Centennial Park in Nashville.

Another song from Jeb Hubbard

who's donated services to raise money

for his favorite charity, the
Tennessee Memorial Hospital.

♪ There's 111 lovin' pounds of heaven ♪

♪ Waiting at the end of the line ♪

♪ A light fell down on me ♪

♪ As I was rollin' out of Dallas ♪

♪ She came up on me in Tennessee ♪

♪ Halfway home in Memphis ♪

♪ I stopped, gassed and coffeed up ♪

♪ I don't wanna waste my time on sleep ♪

♪ There's no smoking, taking pictures ♪

♪ Lord, I hate to slow her down ♪

♪ But I guess I better ease it up a bit ♪

♪ Can't afford to spend
my money on a ticket ♪

♪ Here or Jackson ♪

♪ 'Cause tonight I'm gonna make ♪

(radio clicking)

- Put that down, and where's my clothes?

- Up there.

Hey, I wonder what your pa would say

if he found you skinny dippin'.

- Carl, go away, please, go away.

- I ain't doin' nothin'.

Just lookin'.

- Well, it won't do you no good.

I can stay in here for hours.

- Hey, Jeb Hubbard's my favorite, too.

You know I can listen to him

for hours, and hours, and hours.

- If I don't get home in half an hour,

Pa'll come looking for me.

And if you're still here
he'll break your neck.

♪ 111 lovin' pounds of heaven ♪

♪ Waiting at the end of the line ♪

♪ I'll be rolling in clover ♪

♪ Instead of driving over ♪

♪ On this country pipping
messing up my mind ♪

♪ Everybody knows from Maine to Mexico ♪

♪ The reason why I wanna hurry home ♪

♪ My baby's got more curves ♪

♪ Than this winding mountain road ♪

♪ And that's why I keep
these big wheels rolling on ♪

♪ And that's why I keep
these big wheels rolling on ♪

(crowd applauding)

- Coming up next is popular
country western star

Zane Davis who will sing a song to you

about the working man.

- Jeb, Jeb, listen.

Hey man, I got a dynamite
song I gotta show you.

- Ah, talk to my manager.

- I tried to, he's too busy.

- Just keep trying ,bud.

- Baby, baby, baby.

Give me some of that good.

Mmm, mmm, mmm.

You betcha.

Mmm.

(knocking)

- Jeb, you in there?

- No, I ain't!

(knocking)

- Jeb, open that door!

- Go screw!

- Jeb, you keep screwing them young chicks

and one of these days
you're gonna screw yourself

into oblivion, old boy.

♪ And he plays the banjo ♪

♪ Shep plays guitar ♪

- I'm coming out now.

And if you don't go away,
I'm gonna tell my Pa

and him and my brothers
will take care of you.

♪ We sing about love and sing about hate ♪

♪ Talk about the working man ♪

- Caught you.

As they say on TV, let's make a deal.

Give old Carl a little kiss

and he'll let you have your clothes.

- Agh!

(Carl grunting)

(ominous music)

- No!

No, no!

Get off of me!

No! (screaming)

(screaming)

(sobbing)

(Carl moaning)

- I'm sorry.

Please forgive me.

Please.

I'll do anything, anything.

But please, don't tell.

Don't tell nobody!

(somber music)

- I still say if you
boil that carburetor out,

that'll do it.

- That fucking carburetor.

- Don't you let your mother
hear you talking like that.

- Boys, did you all see Jamie?

Stop retiring.

Oh dear god!

- Did you see the dress
Amy was wearing in church?

What happened to you?

- Let her be.

You wanna tell me what happened?

What's the matter child,
can't you tell me?

- Today, brothers and
sisters, we look to Genesis,

the first book of the holy bible

to speak to us not of history
and things of the past,

but of what will happen
if we turn deaf ears

to the word of God.

In Genesis Chapter 19,
we read of two angels

who come to the city
of Sodom to visit Lot.

They abhor the wickedness
of the people therein.

The children have fled from their parents

to frolic in wickedness
and to do evil deeds.

To rob, to rape, and to live
in sin with one another.

They painted themselves
and they loved money

and music and frivolity, more
than they loved holiness.

So the angels said to him,
we will destroy this place

because the cry of them is waxen great.

From the Lord out of heaven,

and he overthrew these cities

and all the plain and all
the inhabitants of the cities

and that which grew upon the grounds.

- I'll take care of you later.

(country music from radio)

- God does not fool around, my friends.

(bell tolling)

- Hey sister.

Hi there.

- Preacher.

- How's auntie?

I will.

Brother, good to see you always.

(crowd chattering)

- Let's get him.

- Thank you mam, thank you.

Sister, good to see you.

- We'll be home soon, Ma.

- [Ma] Don't y'all be late now.

Dinner's at 10:30.

(car starting)

(revving)

(tires screeching)

- [Man] Move, come on.

- [Man] I'm going as fast as I can go.

(shouting over each other)

(shouting over each other)

(car honking)

(crashing)

(shouting over each other)

- Stay away from me,
you fuckers, stay away!

- Go on, dammit!

(crashing)

Get out, follow him, follow him!

- I'll get you!

(bashing and shouting)

(screaming)

(screaming)

(belt slapping)

(panting)

- That'll teach you to be
sacrilegious in church.

(light music)

- It's a girl.

- Can you give me a lift?

- What are you doing out here
this time of night, honey?

- I'm going to Nashville.

- We're heading for Murphy's burrough.

- Well, that's close to Nashville.

- Are you running away from home?

- My parents know all about it.

- How old are you?

- I'm 19.

- Sure, and I'm 120.

Look, I'm not about to
get myself into trouble

over no runaway girl.

- I live more than 60 miles from here.

You want me to walk all the way back

in the middle of the night?

- Come on, Burt.

- All right.

- No way, come on.

(zooming)

- So, what's in Nashville?

- Didn't you see the guitar?

She's gonna be the next
Tanya Tucker, ain't she?

- I don't know about
that but I found an ad

that says these people can help me

get my songs published.

No!

- Knock it off George, she's only a kid.

- I changed my mind.

You gotta let me out!

Let me out!

(car honking)

- He won't try it again.

(zooming)

It's gonna be a long night.

How about some ham and eggs?

- I don't like what I see.

- Oh you ain't seen nothing yet.

It's just a couple truck
drivers and that girl

walking in the cafe.

- Want a menu?

- Give me three eggs over easy,

hash brown potatoes and coffee.

Skip the toast.

- Hotcakes and sausage for me.

- Coffee?

- Yeah.

- What about her?

- My fiancee will have a milkshake.

- Gee, I hope they'll
excuse her from kindergarten

for the wedding.

- Now Ofert, I'ma tell you again.

If they're just sitting there,

there ain't nothing we can do about it.

- Something tells me they're gonna do more

than just sit there.

- I know it ain't easy.

But Brenda Lee started
singing when she was four

and recording when she was only nine.

- Yeah and look how long it took her

to get where she is today.

- And what about Tammy
Wynette and Loretta Lynn,

and Dolly Parton?

You know she's got a sister
Stella who ain't doing so bad.

- You think you can just
walk into a recording company

and say here I am, my name is Jamie,

please publish my songs,
give me a recording contract?

It don't work that way.

- I didn't say that.

But look.

See what this says?

This Mr. Ordell can help me.

- These ads are a lot of crap.

Pass the ketchup.

- Jesus, it's three o'clock.

I'm bushed.

- Yeah, why don't we shack up for a while?

We can go on when it's light.

- [Burt] Well even if we can get a room,

what are we gonna do with her?

- Oh I can hitch a ride with someone else

or I can just stay in the restaurant.

- They won't let you do that.

- Then I can stay in the truck.

- Hey, why couldn't she
sleep in the room with us?

On the floor.

- I suppose she could.

And nobody gonna bother you.

- Okay, I guess.

- Okay, we're all set, come on.

- [Cop] Hot damn.

- [Cop] I told you that.

- [Cop] Damn we go.

- Now?

- Let's go.

- You owe me five bucks.

(crashing)

Go freeze, assholes.

- What the fuck?

- What the hell's going on?

- You stay where you are.

- You heard what this man said,

don't nobody move.

(chuckling)

- Hey, what's your name?

Come on, come on, come on up.

Come on here.

Come on out where we see.

Are we having a little party, are we, huh?

- I'm gonna ask you one more time.

What's this all about?

- Now son, she don't look 18 to me.

Now do you know what that means?

- And you, you son of a bitch,

you know what it means to bust in here

without a warrant then.

And molest my daughter!

- Your daughter?

- Who the hell do you
expect to be sleeping

in a bathtub, my goddamn girlfriend?

Now get your ass out of
here before I file charges!

- Let's go, come on.

Come on, let's go.

Come on, come on, come on.

- Sorry mister.

I hope we don't get into trouble.

- Oh shut up!

- You think you're gonna get away with it?

- Well I sure as hell ain't
gonna wait to find out.

Come on, let's move it.

(fast paced country music)

Music City USA, here we come.

Listen kid, I don't wanna get stuck

in the middle of town.

But we'll take you to the
outskirts of Nashville.

- Thank you guys, you're beautiful!

- Why couldn't you be a little bit older?

(strumming)

- [Man] Hop in, young lady.

- You're Ray Hamilton!

- The king of country Western.

Six gold records, six
million fans, that's me.

Now you hop in here.

Time's wasting.

- Hey!

What?

Ow!

Stop it, ow!

No!

Hey, come on.

Stop!

(tires screeching)

You goddamn son of a bitch,

I ain't ever buying your record again!

(slamming)

- It's not supposed to work this way.

What do I keep doing wrong?

- [Woman] Hey, whoever
it is, I forgot my towel.

Can you give me a towel please?

- I only got the one I'm wearing.

- So give me yours.

- I can't go back to my
room without anything on.

- This is the YW, not the YM.

What's your name?

- Jamie.

- Okay Jamie, do me a favor.

Go back to room 207 and grab something.

Grab anything and bring it back, okay?

- Okay.

- Tada!

- Uh hey look, I'm sorry.

I thought you were Al.

- Who's Al?

And who are you?

- I'm Al, short for Alice.

And this is my boyfriend Bill.

- Hey.

- He's been staying with
me at least twice a week

since I moved in.

That's the only way he
can get into this joint.

- Excuse me.

- Hey, don't go.

Hey, why'd you come to Nashville?

- To have my songs published.

- Oh no.

Not another one.

- You too?

- Sure, what would a girl
from Brooklyn do over here

if she didn't get into
country western music?

- How'd you make out?

- Great.

How does unemployment insurance grab you?

- [Bill] Hey, have you
met anybody yet, any guys?

- I ain't interested in boyfriends.

- You never fucked a guy?

- I never slept with a guy.

- I'll bet all she ever
wanted was a guitar.

- I just wish I still had one.

(strumming)

How much?

- 49 dollars.

- You're kidding.

- I'll let you have it for 45.

- Well how about five bucks down?

- 15.

- 10?

- All right.

It's a deal.

But five dollars every week

until you got it paid off.

- How much is this one?

- 945 dollars.

If you're a good kid I'll
let you have it for 900.

I tell you what, come
back in the year 2012,

if you're still here, you
can have it for nothing.

- Smartass.

- Thank you.

- Now what?

- Now we go for what I came
here for in the first place.

Well this is the place all right

but it don't look like much.

- Few places in Nashville do.

All the big companies are here

and 90 percent of them
are places just like this.

- Mm, oh, what do you want?

- I read this ad and I
wanna know what I have to do

to have my song published.

- Oh, I'm so sorry.

I thought you was here for a job.

Mr. Ordell's out of the office right now.

He's at a recording session
with one of our clients.

Won't you girls sit down?

- Thank you.

- Oh, I'm Beauty, Mr. Ordell's secretary.

(buzzing)

Um, he should be here any minute.

I'm sure he'll be glad to talk to you.

- Any messages, Miss Jenkins?

- Oh, Motown called.

They liked the tapes you sent over.

They want to discuss
them with you tomorrow.

Also, you had a call from MCA.

They wanna know if you've got anything

for Tanya Tucker.

Oh and Columbia Records also called.

- That's all for now.

I'll take the rest of them later.

(knocking)

What is it?

- Um, Mr. Ordell, there's a
Miss Barker out here to see you.

Can she come in?

- [Ordell] I'm a very busy man.

Ask her to come back tomorrow.

- But Mr. Ordell, she came
a long way to see you.

She's been waiting outside forever.

- Well, I can only give her
five minutes, send her in.

- Right this way, girls.

- Well, howdy girls.

Ordell's the name, C.Y. Ordell.

My friends call me C.Y.

Now my secretary informs
me that you're a composer

and looking for a little help
to get your song published?

Is that right, Miss Barker?

- I'm Miss Barker, Jamie.

- Of course.

- She's already filled
out the questionnaire.

- Oh, thank you Beauty.

- Now, a couple of things
I like to caution you

young ladies about.

First of all, I'm gonna
work very hard for you.

But at the same time, I can't guarantee

100% that I'll be successful
in getting your song published.

But my track record is good.

And of course there is a bit of investment

required in a deal of this kind.

- How much?

- Well we'll get to that later.

But to get to point number three.

I only handle composers and singers

that have real talent.

Because it would be
unfair to both them and me

to take the time and the money it costs

to get a thing like this
started, you follow?

- Oh I understand, yeah.

- Now, did you bring your tapes?

- Tapes?

- Yes, of your songs.

- I ain't got no tapes.

But I brought my guitar.

May I sing a song for you?

- Why certainly.

Why not?

Go ahead.

(light guitar music)

♪ It was a cold and lonely world ♪

♪ Till you came along ♪

♪ Summer's ending in the rain ♪

♪ Suddenly you smiled ♪

♪ And opened up your heart ♪

♪ Now what's happened
here is easy to explain ♪

♪ Oh friend ♪

♪ Nothing like friends ♪

♪ Nothing like having someone to talk to ♪

♪ Friend ♪

♪ Nothing like friends ♪

♪ Nothing like having someone to talk to ♪

♪ Suddenly you smile ♪

♪ And opened up your heart ♪

♪ Now what's happened
here is easy to explain ♪

♪ Oh friend ♪

♪ Nothing like friends ♪

♪ Nothing like having someone around ♪

♪ Who knows you ♪

- Well that's not bad.

Matter of fact, it's kind of good.

I think the song needs a little polish

but I think I can handle it.

Now the first thing we
have to do is make a demo.

- What's a demo?

- That's like an audition
record that we play

for the big record companies.

Now if they like it,
they may make the record

and pay for it themselves.

Otherwise, we may even cut it.

- What do you mean by we?

- Well I have to hire a producer.

- A producer?

- [Ordell] Well how else are
we gonna get a band together?

- What band?

- The band to make your demo tapes.

But don't worry about it.

Now let me see, I think we'll
need about eight pieces.

A lead guitar, an electric guitar,

12 string guitar, bass
piano, couple of fiddles,

maybe a drum.

- Well I can do my own playing.

- She's good, really good.

- Well maybe you got a point there.

It'll be only one less guitar.

Maybe we can save a little money that way.

- How much?

- How much what?

- How much will it cost?

- I don't know, I figure about five.

- Five hundred?

- Five thousand.

- [Both] Five thousand dollars?

- How else are we gonna hire a producer

to hire a band to hire a recording studio

to get to the music publishers,
the record distributors,

the disc jockeys.

That all costs money.

- [Al] Let's go.

- But Al.

- [Al] Let's get out of here.

- Now, just a minute,
let's not get excited.

Let's just relax, huh?

Give me a minute to think about it.

Maybe I can figure some
way to cut the costs

a little more, like,

- About how much?

- Say, 3,000 dollars.

Of course that means I get a little higher

percentage of your earnings.

- Mr. Ordell, could you do us a favor?

- Well certainly, anything.

- Shove the percentage up your ass.

- Very very busy man.

- Same to you, fella!

- Well look on the positive side.

You just saved yourself 3,000 bucks.

- Yeah, well I ain't quitting.

If I need money I'm gonna get some.

- How?

- I'm gonna get a job.

- Haven't you heard
there's a recession on now?

- Where I come from there's
always a recession on.

(typewriter clacking)

(light music)

- Hey there's no work here.

- Look honey, even if we had a job

and there's nothing open right now,

we couldn't hire you anyhow.

You're too young.

And we don't hire nobody under 18.

- Thanks.

- Anyway, that's why
I'm leaving Nashville.

Look, now I've at least
got a job in Memphis.

There's no point in me
staying in Nashville.

- I'm gonna miss you.

It's gonna be really lonely without you.

- Any luck with a job yet?

- I've been to every crummy joint in town.

There's nothing.

- Have you got any money left?

- Enough to last a few days.

I'm going to see the producers
and publishers myself.

- What if nothing happens?

- I just can't squeeze
anybody else in today.

No, look, I'm sorry.

I've listened to 27 tapes today

and I just don't have any more time.

All right, call me next week, okay?

Here you go.

- Well, what'd you think?

- I like it.

It needs some more work.

The instruments are drowning
out the voices too much.

- [Man] We can take care of that.

- I thought you could.

Okay, tell you what you do.

Work up a new budget, get
it back to me next week.

I'll submit it to L.A.
and if they can go for it

we're in business.

- Thanks Jake.

- Okay.

All right, who's next?

- I am.

- [Jake] I'm Jake
Miller, what's your name?

- Jamie Barker.

- Well Jamie, did you
bring your tape with you?

- I ain't got no tape but
I can play you a song.

- Honey it wouldn't make
any difference if I liked

your songs or not.

I don't have time for demos.

Now you've got to find
somebody to do one with you

then bring it back and I'll listen to it.

- But maybe--

- Look, kid, I wish I could help you.

But there are a hundred
kids who come to Nashville

everyday just like you who
are trying to be performers,

trying to get their records published,

and I just don't have time.

Don't you have a family
you can go back to?

- Shit.

- Yeah?

- I read the ad.

- Kind of wet behind the ears, ain't you?

- I'm 20.

- Sure, kid.

I'll ring Fred.

(dinging)

- Yeah?

- Girl says she read the
ad and wants the job.

She says she's 20.

- She says she's 20, then she's 20.

You wouldn't lie to us, would you?

The job pays two bucks an hour.

You come in at six in
the evening and you work

until two a.m.

Any problems?

- No, that's just fine for me.

That would give me the
day to make my rounds.

- We don't allow no sidelines
away from the premises.

- I make my rounds to
the publishing houses

and record companies, and I,

- Ooh, another one of those.

Look kid, I just want you to be on time

and be polite to the customers.

And just one more thing.

Do you have something a
little more catchy to wear?

Well maybe we can find something for you.

- You got an appointment?

- Jesus H. Christ.

I'll take you honey, or you can take me.

- Now look, buddy, I found this lady.

- I am not a masseuse,
I am a receptionist.

(dinging)

- You're back in town.

- Hey, your favorite customer's back honey

and I got an extra 20
for a real good time,

you understand what I mean?

- Are you gonna take care of me?

- You bet your wife I will.

- You could make a lot more money

if you give a massage
every once in a while.

- I ain't interested.

- Thanks Jamie.

Two more payments and it's all yours.

- How much did you say that one was?

- It's still the same price.

945 dollars.

- Someday.

Thank you.

- Here's your receipt for 15 dollars

for a half hour massage.

- How much for a half and half?

- What's that?

- You mean you haven't heard?

It's when the girl
massages me for a half hour

and I massage her for a half hour.

- What'll they think of next?

- When will Meredith be
through, and where's Laura?

- Laura's sick.

- I'm not gonna wait much longer.

- Okay, you, take the next
customer, I'll take your place.

- No, I ain't, I'm the receptionist.

- I'll give you five
seconds to think it over

and then you're fired.

- No.

- [Fred] Then you're fired.

- Here, you keep it.

- You don't understand.

I need the money I already
got in this guitar.

- Look, I'll tell you what I do.

You hold on to the guitar
and I'll give you 20 dollars.

In a few days, if you don't have a job,

bring the guitar back and
I'll give you the difference.

- Okay.

- If you wanna pick it up
and play it, Jamie, go ahead.

- Thanks, but no thanks.

I might get to like it,
and then where would I be?

(light music)

♪ Put your life in music ♪

♪ Let love be a song ♪

♪ Let hope be the highway
that you travel on ♪

♪ Give your hand to someone ♪

♪ Who needs it to hold ♪

♪ Let your arm be a shelter ♪

♪ When their world turns cold ♪

♪ Let your heart be the light ♪

♪ That brightens their way ♪

♪ And today you'll do better ♪

- I said fuck off!

- Hey.

Get out.

I said get out!

- Damn crip joint,
don't think you're gonna

get away with it!

- And don't come back!

Don't let it bother you kid,

they ain't all like that.

- But what about his threat?

- He's not gonna want anybody to know

he was anywhere near this place.

- [Judge] Fred Loban, two
years in the penitentiary.

(gavel hitting)

I'm taking your age into
account, Miss Barker.

I'm sentencing you to three months

to juvenile detention farm.

(fly buzzing)

- Why, you look like you've
been doing it all your life.

- I grew up on a farm.

- What you in?

- Prostitution and indecent
exposure, but I was framed.

- Yeah, so was I.

Probably two guys have copied you,

one in front, one in back.

Haha pow pow wonder what you get changed.

- How long you in for?

- Five days, three hours and 12 minutes.

- You're lucky.

- [Woman] Hey you, Jamie, get over here!

- Watch it, throw a string to that bitch

and she'll try to make a pass at you.

- What do you mean?

- You can't be that innocent.

- Come on, get your ass over here!

What's that nigger bitch been telling you?

- Nothing.

- Come with me, I've
got a surprise for you.

- My guitar!

Wow.

Oh, how can I ever thank you?

- There'll be a way.

- What am I gonna do about Brenna?

- What did you do about
the guy who attacked you?

- Yeah, but that was different.

- [Frisky] No difference.

- You know Frisky, I'm
really glad for your sake

that you're getting off tomorrow.

- [Frisky] Yeah.

- But every time I get to like someone

they take off on me.

- How much more time you got?

- Five weeks.

- Hey listen.

When you get out, you
wanna come stay at my pad?

- Could I really?

- Yeah.

Hey and I can even
introduce you to this guy

who knows everybody in the
music business in Nashville.

- Oh, Frisky, you're beautiful.

- Yeah, you ain't told
me nothing I don't know.

I said hurry up, lights out at nine.

And if Lois catches you in
there it's gonna be trouble.

I'll be here at seven.

- I can do that myself.

- It's almost curfew time.

You could get in trouble
if I reported you.

- Leave me alone, Lois.

- I'm only trying to help.

- Fuck off, Lois.

- Ungrateful slut!

(slapping)

(slapping)

(bashing)

- Lois, this is not the
first time you've accosted

a girl, but it is the last.

You are hereby relieved of your duties

and you'll report to the
board for disciplinary action.

I said dismissed.

(sighing)

I'm sorry that happened.

Jamie I've looked at
your record, and frankly,

I think you should never
have been sent here.

Well I know what you're thinking.

It's my job so why don't I change things?

Well believe me, I'm trying.

It's just that it's going
to take a little time.

Meanwhile I'll do everything
I can to get you paroled

as soon as possible.

(light music)

(whistling)

(laughing)

- As Lois would say,
get your ass over here!

- Thank you!

- For what?

- For being here.

- I said I would, didn't I?

Hey remember that guy Kelly
I was telling you about?

- Uh huh?

- Well he thinks he might be able to help.

- That's wonderful.

- Oh no, before you get excited
and pee all over yourself.

A word of warning.

Now Kelly's a good musician
and he's not such a bad guy

but nobody does anything
in this town for nothing.

Well nobody I met anyway.

- I'll take my chances.

- [Frisky] You sure?

- There are only two things I'm sure of.

I can't go home again.

And more than anything I wanna
make it in this tiny town.

- Well that what you just might have to.

(revving)

- Okay Kelly, that's
what I want, seven minor.

- You got it.

But I sure don't get the
value of the G chord.

- Well okay, let's drop it one.

Six minor.

- A one four five.

- But it starts on a nine, doesn't it?

- Tell me what it is, Kelly.

- Just your basic A, D, E.

- Okay.

Now on that next bar, hold the E bass.

Okay now, give me a little bit of B.

I'm sorry, A.

Okay, that's it.

Ready Johnny?

- Yeah.

- Okay everybody let's
see if this thing plays.

- I'm gonna introduce you to Mishmash

just as soon as the session's over.

- Thanks, Kelly.

Isn't that Johnny Rodriguez?

- Yeah, shh.

- Yeah, okay.

All right, there's a take.

(slow music)

♪ As I read the letters ♪

♪ That you wrote to me ♪

♪ It's you ♪

♪ That I am thinking of ♪

♪ As I look at those lines ♪

♪ That to me were so sweet ♪

♪ I remember our faded love ♪

♪ I miss you darling
more and more everyday ♪

♪ As heaven would miss the stars above ♪

♪ And with every heartbeat ♪

♪ I still think of you ♪

♪ And remember our faded love ♪

(singing in foreign language)

♪ As heaven would miss the stars above ♪

(singing in foreign language)

♪ And remember our faded love ♪

(crowd applauding)

Woohoo, woohoo!

- Okay everybody, that was great.

Three songs in two hours, that's a wrap!

- Hey Johnny that was really good.

Hit that F sharp minor like a champion.

- Barely.

- Say, this is Jamie.

- Hello Jamie, how you doing?

- Jamie, this is--

- I know, I know, Johnny Rodriguez.

- Hey, nice to meet you.

Listen I gotta go in here
and listen to some playbacks.

It was nice meeting you, see you again.

- Hey, Mishmash.

- Kind of busy, Kelly.

- This is the girl I told you about.

- I'm Jamie Barker.

- Well hi, it's nice to meet you.

- She just happened to
bring her guitar along,

could play a few songs for you.

- I can't do it now, I'm a
little late for an appointment.

Why don't you bring her
by my house after dinner

and I'll listen to her there?

- Sure man, whatever's fair.

Come on, I'll put this thing away

and we'll get something to eat.

♪ Friends, nothing like friends ♪

♪ Nothing like having someone around ♪

♪ Who knows you ♪

- That wasn't good.

- It wasn't?

- That was excellent.

- You mean it, you really mean it?

- Look, my business is country music.

I know what I'm talking about.

And I know something else.

- What?

- Well, there are a lot of
talented kids like you around.

You need special handling to be noticed,

well to get ahead.

Look, I'll be straight with you.

You have talent, lots of it.

And you can get someplace.

But, well I only have so much time

to devote to newcomers.

I don't know if it's
enough to look after you.

- I wish you would.

- Want a joint?

- No.

- You seemed awful nervous.

Was I too rough on you?

- No, you were just fine.

Really great.

- I think that you're lying.

- What do you mean?

- Well, you talk like
you've had a lot of men.

You screw like you haven't had any.

(sighing)

- Well to tell you the truth, I haven't.

- You mean you're a virgin?

- Not exactly.

- How old are you?

- I'll be 17 next week.

- Oh my god.

Get out of bed, get dressed
and get out of here.

Now hurry up!

- What's the matter with you?

- Jesus Christ.

If anybody knows that I
screwed a 16 year old.

- But I have--

- No buts.

Just get your ass out of here!

(slamming)

- [Kelly] Don't blame the guy, Jamie.

- All he wanted to do was screw me.

- Maybe yes, maybe no.

There's always a possibility
that he likes your song.

- Yeah, then why didn't he hear me out?

- He told you, he doesn't
want to be involved

with a 16 year old.

- Look, I'm gonna be 17
in a couple of weeks.

Maybe if I went and
explained to him what I want.

- Forget it.

When Mishmash is through, he's through.

- Kelly, tell me what to do.

I wanna get ahead so
bad, I'll do anything.

- You sure?

- Yeah.

- All right.

Don't come around to me
if things don't work out

exactly the way you want them to.

- Okay, you can go in now.

- Hell, I was here first.

If you ain't beautiful and
female, you can't get a chance.

♪ Who knows you ♪

- I'm sorry, he's busy.

- Guys, I promised Jamie
here a demo session.

Now we got just a couple of minutes.

It's in A, simple one four
five progression, follow me.

I'll bring the piano and the
drums in on the second verse.

Try not to make too many mistakes.

Make the little lady look like a million.

Ready?

Greg?

(light guitar music)

♪ Put your life to music ♪

♪ Let love be a song ♪

♪ Let hope be the highway ♪

♪ That you travel on ♪

♪ Let each stop that you make ♪

♪ Be one you can say ♪

♪ Well today I did better ♪

♪ Than I did yesterday ♪

♪ Give your hand to someone ♪

♪ Who needs it to hold ♪

♪ Let your arms be a shelter ♪

♪ When their world turns cold ♪

♪ Let your heart be the light ♪

♪ That brightens their way ♪

♪ And today you'll do better ♪

♪ Than you did yesterday ♪

♪ When your burdens get heavy ♪

♪ And smiles can't be found ♪

♪ And you want to give up ♪

♪ And life's knocked you down ♪

♪ Run to your knees from
the place where you fell ♪

♪ Let faith be the pennies ♪

♪ In your wishing well ♪

♪ Let each stop that you make ♪

♪ Be one you can say ♪

♪ Well today I did better ♪

♪ Than I did yesterday ♪

♪ And today you'll do better ♪

♪ Than you did yesterday ♪

- She's got talent.

- Hey let's do it over and
make a real demo out of it.

- I'd really like to man,

but just haven't got the bread.

Unless you guys wanna pay for it.

That was really good.

- Thank you.

- Let me see what I can do with it, okay?

- Okay.

- I'll see you tonight.

- You liked it?

- Mhmm.

- My music recording session today?

The demo.

- Mr. Mansby will see you now.

- Come in.

Kelly told me all about you.

- Get your hands off me!

Fuck you!

Fuck you!

Fuck you!

Fuck you!

Fuck you!

- When's the last time you saw Kelly?

- About a week ago.

I was just another lay.

- I hate to say it but I told you.

- It ain't your fault.

(knocking)

(laughing)

- [Frisky] Hey Kelly!

- I've been looking all over for you.

- Couldn't have been looking very hard.

- Hey we're celebrating.

- Yeah, what you celebrating?

- Jamie's 17th birthday.

That is the legal age of
consent in this country.

- Big deal.

- Well happy birthday.

I have to have something for you

that happens to be a little headliner.

Something really worth celebrating.

- Like maybe a king size mattress?

- Aha, will you get off my back?

Can't you see the handwriting
up there on the wall?

Kelly plays your tape for Jeb Hubbard.

- Jeb Hubbard?

Did he like it?

- He happens to think you're very talented

and wants to see you in the morning.

- Yeah, where?

- He keeps a little
place in town, his place.

- [Frisky] Does he know how old she is?

- Sure he does, who cares.

He's got a weakness for young chicks.

Let me look at you.

You know you just might
be too old already.

- I don't care, I just wanna meet him.

- You are tomorrow morning.

- Oh god.

(laughing)

(knocking)

- Oh Jesus I forgot.

That must be Kelly.

Come on, get in here.

You be quiet.

I'm gonna need this.

Oh.

(knocking)

Yeah, yeah.

- You said 10.

- Yeah sure, come on in.

- Jeb, this is the girl
I told you about, Jamie.

Jamie, this is Jeb Hubbard.

- I know, I've been a
fan of yours forever.

- Don't make me sound so old.

Why don't you sit down, I'll
order up some more coffee.

- None for me, thanks.

- Not for me either.

I really better get going.

Thanks, man.

Jamie, see you later.

- I heard your demo.

Kelly was right, you're good.

- Thank you, Mr. Hubbard.

- Jeb.

- Thank you, Jeb.

- I tell you what I'm gonna do.

I'll put you under personal contract.

But you have to agree to
a number of conditions.

- Such as?

- First of all, you're an unknown.

You need a lot of work.

Promotion, buildup, right
songs, right exposure.

Not much will be coming in at first.

- I don't mind, honest.

- Second, you have to promise to do

whatever I ask you to do.

Third, I get 50 percent of your earnings

for a manager's fee.

And I've also got a
seven year option on you

and all your services exclusively.

- What do you mean by option?

- That means every six
months if I wanna continue,

you have to stay with me
till the seven years are up.

- [Jamie] And he gave me a
hundred a week extra earnings.

- Cheapskate.

- A hundred a week!

- Well that's chicken feed.

Has he screwed you yet?

- He hasn't even made a pass at me yet.

- He will.

(birds chirping)

- It's like I said Jamie,
image is what counts.

Not just talent.

We're gonna give you a
whole brand new image,

me and May Oxton.

She's the best publicist in her field.

- And I already have your
official bio prepared.

- What's a bio?

- That's the story of
your life that we send out

with your press releases.

Introducing Melody Mason.

- I thought you were writing about me.

- Well from now on, you are Melody Mason.

I thought up the name myself.

- This 14 year old beauty from
Okinaw County, West Virginia

is the youngest of seven children.

Her father worked as a coal miner

until he was killed in a mine explosion

when she was only three.

Tragedy struck again
in the Mason household

when the family car driven by her mother

crashed into a cement
truck on the way back

from church on Sunday morning.

Only Melody survived.

Thereafter, Melody was
raised by her grandparents

in Wheeling, West Virginia

where she sang in the choir
at the First Baptist Church.

Her grandparents, strict and decent folk

wanted her to become a school teacher.

But Melody was interested only

in becoming a country Western singer.

With the money she saved from babysitting

and working in a school cafeteria,

she bought tickets to hear her favorite

country western singers
when they came to Wheeling.

Melody was discovered
when her music teacher

went to see Jeb Hubbard,

America's beloved country western singer

who is the holder of six gold records.

She told him about Melody.

And Jeb was so impressed by
the sincerity of the teacher

that he agreed to listen to Melody.

After one listen to
the girl with the smile

and the tear in her voice,

he immediately saw her
tremendous potential

and put her under personal contract.

Soon Melody will be traveling all over

the United States with Jeb, his wife Fran,

and Jeb's famous country westerners.

- [Jamie] You and Jeb been
married a long time, haven't you?

- 20 years, four kids,
approximately 500,000 miles.

And he didn't have anyone to sponsor him

when he started.

I wanna tell you honey, it wasn't easy.

He used to drive around in an old beat up

station wagon, not a luxury bus like this.

- I'm sure glad that Jeb took me in,

I'm really grateful.

- You're young and pretty.

I guess you can have whatever you want

but I don't know if I'd
trade places with you.

- What do you mean?

- Well she means exactly what I told you.

Being a country western singer's

a hell of a lot of work.

- But look at the reward.

- Hah, like an ulcer.

If it weren't for Fran here

I wouldn't be on the road right now.

Mama really takes good care of me.

- Well somebody's gotta look after you.

You ain't doing it yourself.

(country music)

♪ Building blocks ♪

♪ One on top of the other ♪

♪ They keep stacking up ♪

♪ Helping us love one another ♪

♪ We've got building blocks ♪

♪ Solid as a rock we're sitting on top ♪

♪ Of our building blocks of love ♪

♪ A, it's all the little things you do ♪

♪ B, I was born to be with you ♪

♪ C is the caring for
all the world to see ♪

♪ D is devotion between you and me ♪

♪ Building blocks ♪

♪ One on top of the other ♪

♪ They keep stacking up ♪

♪ Helping us love one another ♪

♪ We've got building blocks ♪

♪ Solid as a rock we're sitting on top ♪

♪ Of our building blocks of love ♪

- [Jeb] Okay you work on
this with the guys, okay?

- [Man] Okay Jeb.

- [Jeb] All right.

- Where do you want her stuff?

- Uh, put her back in the conference room.

She can use that seat
that turns into a bed.

It's better to have her here with us.

- I was okay where I was.

- Well, Fran can look
after you here, Melody.

- I wish you'd stop calling me Melody.

My name's Jamie.

- It's Melody, you hear!?

Now here's a young girl whose
popularity is rising fast.

Folks, the darling of young
and old alike, Melody Mason.

(crowd applauding)

- Thank y'all.

Y'all made me really happy.

When I started out, Jeb asked me

what I wanted out of life.

And I'll tell you what I told him.

I wanted to sing and make people happy

even when they're sad.

And now I'd like to sing
for you my latest song

which was just recorded on the JH label.

Still Water Runs Deep.

♪ Hah ha ha ha ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ooh ♪

♪ Still water runs deep ♪

♪ Flowing easy and free ♪

♪ Still water runs deep ♪

♪ Just like the love you give to me ♪

♪ We stay high on this feeling we found ♪

♪ Never gonna let it drift away ♪

♪ We've got ourselves
a sweet understanding ♪

♪ To hold on to each other every day ♪

♪ Just as long as still water runs deep ♪

♪ Oh my darling ♪

♪ You'll have all my love to keep ♪

♪ We've got ourselves
a sweet understanding ♪

♪ To hold on to each other everyday ♪

♪ Just as long as still water runs deep ♪

♪ Oh my darling ♪

♪ You'll have all my love to keep ♪

- Kelly.

- Darat darat dat dat, you
fit the rose, miss deb.

Come here.

Hey there for a minute I
thought you were almost

glad to see me.

- I was, I am.

What brings you way out here?

- Would you believe you
or a music gig, huh?

- A gig.

- A gig.

Well you think anything you like

but I sure am glad to see you, a star.

- Kelly, I have a show
to do in 45 minutes.

- Well I just happen to
be available tonight.

- Look, I'm in 209.

I've got to get dressed now.

- Talk to you, kid.

See you tonight.

- What's the idea of
going through my mail?

- There's nothing else to do.

Started with the Gideon bible
and ended up with your mail.

You really send money to your old man

after what he did to you?

- None of your business.

- Hey your sister really
thinks you're something.

- We've kept close.

- Jamie.

(sighing)

Come here.

- Kelly, I said you could come to my room

not climb into my bed.

- Come here.

- Kelly, do me a favor.

Get dressed and get out.

- Hey I can't do that,
the place is booked.

You wouldn't do that to
an old friend, would you?

- Yeah.

- I'll get you that new set of teeth,

can of fishing worms you wanted.

- Out!

- Jamie, please.

- All right, you can stay.

But not in my bed.

- [Kelly] Which bed do you want?

- Doesn't matter.

- Why?

- You wouldn't understand.

Maybe I don't.

Maybe some other time.

(crickets chirping)

- You sure took your
sweet time this morning.

- I couldn't help it, something came up.

- I just bet it did.

- You don't own my private hours, Jeb.

What I do is my business.

It's the first time I've ever been late.

So now who's holding up the show?

(revving)

Gin!

I got it, wow.

- Wow, you learn fast.

- Well I'm trying.

- Can I give you a piece of advice?

- Sure.

- Be more patient with
Jeb, will you honey?

Sometimes he still thinks he's 21.

But he's really tired
and he's getting older.

He just don't let himself
admit to any of it.

- Well I'm tired too, he's not
the only one that's working.

- Yeah but he's the one
time's running out on.

You got your whole life ahead of you.

Just hold back.

Don't fight him so much.

He'll come around to his
senses, he always does.

By god I've picked up
the pieces so many times

I can't even remember.

But he always comes around.

(revving)

(knocking)

- Can I come in a few minutes?

- Of course.

- Come here.

- Jeb, Jeb.

Jeb.

Don't, Jeb.

- Well just, just listen to me.

Let me try and explain.

When I first heard your demo,

I knew that there was a talent.

A real big honest to goodness talent.

So I made up my mind right there

that old Jeb Hubbard was
gonna stay off the girl.

Now you got to admit I lived
up to what I promised you.

- You have.

- Well.

I also knew I was
falling in love with you.

Now you don't think
I'd let any other chick

take that much applause on my show.

But I held back and I held back.

And then when I saw Kelly
in your dressing room,

shit, I don't know how to say it.

- I wish you wouldn't.

Fran and I are friends.

She is a lovely woman, she loves you.

Now--

- No, fuck Fran!

- Then go and fuck her, but not me!

I like you.

I appreciate all that you've done for me.

But from now on, it's gonna
be talent and nothing else.

I wanna become what
the public thinks I am.

- You mean you want your virginity back?

(slamming)

- I don't know why you're
still so upset, Jeb.

- Well that don't surprise me none.

- Is it the girl?

- What girl?

- Melody.

- I don't give a damn if
you believe it or not.

But I didn't screw her.

(slamming)

(light country rock music)

♪ You said you were ready ♪

♪ Come on be my eagle ♪

♪ Come and fly ♪

♪ High with your doves ♪

- Hold it, hold it!

I want you to lower your
voice about half a step.

- [Jamie] It feels right, Jeb.

- You telling me how to sing a song?

- No I'm not.

But I have two gold records and I know

what's right for me.

- Have it your way.

- Jeb, what about your song?

- You let her sing it.

She's got two gold records.

She knows all the answers.

- But Jeb, that song wasn't written for

- Melody Mason!

(crowd applauding)

Here at last is the young lady I found

two short years ago

and she already has won two gold records,

Melody Mason!

(crowd applauding)

- Thank you.

♪ Hold on tight ♪

♪ Baby let me take you ♪

♪ Baby let me make you fly so high ♪

♪ Over the ground ♪

♪ Don't let go ♪

♪ We've got to try to keep
this feeling we found ♪

♪ You said you're ready ♪

♪ Come on be my eagle ♪

♪ Come and fly high with your dove ♪

♪ Hold on tight ♪

- Look, Kathy, I promise I'll be home

as soon as I finish the next trip.

- Oh Jamie, do you really mean it?

- I promise, cross my heart.

- Hey Jamie, I wrote a song.

You wanna hear it?

- Since when are you writing songs?

- Well I figured that
someday I could be like you

and have all--

- Don't.

I'm sorry, Kathy.

Yeah I'd like to hear your song, go ahead.

- Okay, okay, just wait
a minute, one minute.

♪ I've got a good feeling about you ♪

♪ You're what I've been looking for ♪

♪ Don't wanna live my life without you ♪

♪ Never felt this kind of thing before ♪

♪ It's like daisies in the springtime ♪

♪ Berries on the vine ♪

♪ Grandpa telling stories in a song ♪

♪ It's like chasing butterflies ♪

♪ Mama's apple pies ♪

♪ It's the country kind of feeling ♪

♪ That's the high you got me on ♪

♪ It's like daisies in the springtime ♪

♪ Berries on the vine ♪

♪ Grandpa telling stories in a song ♪

♪ It's like chasing butterflies ♪

♪ Mama's apple pies ♪

(knocking)

- [Jeb] Open that door!

Come on, open this goddamn door!

Jamie!

Open it!

- Well Jamie?

What'd you think about it?

- [Jeb] Do you hear me?

- Jeb, go away!

- [Jeb] You little harlot,
open this goddamn door

or I'll break it down.

- Okay, okay!

- Just what the hell was going on tonight?

- I don't know what you're talking about.

(slapping)

- Bitch, you know damn good
what I was talking about!

You're trying to take my
audience away from me!

- Jeb, you are crazy.

- I got the heights now.

- Jeb!

Let go of me!

Ow!

Ow, ow.

Jeb!

(grunting)

(tense music)

(breathing heavily)

- Honey, I'm sorry.

- Go away.

Just,

get out of my life.

I don't want you and I
don't need you anymore.

- You mean you don't want me to fuck you

because you don't need me?

- Did I fuck you before?

- Physically no.

Mentally yeah.

You made a play for me all this time.

- I'm gonna tell you
something, Jeb Hubbard.

I paid my dues to get to where I am today.

And I paid them before I ever met you.

I paid them to you not in sex

but in dollars and cents.

When you signed me and took
50 percent of my earnings

I was very naive.

So don't think that I got
something for nothing.

Now it is over, finished ,through.

Now you just get out of here.

- Okay.

I'll get out.

But I'll be back tomorrow night,

you better be willing.

- Who the hell do you think you are, God?

Now you hear me.

If you show your face here again,

I'll tell everybody what
you did here tonight

and how you raped a 17 year old girl.

- 18.

- Rape is rape!

Now you hear me Jeb, you
show your face here again,

- Now I'm gonna tell you
something, you little slut.

Who's gonna believe a girl who worked

in a massage parlor?

Who's got a police record
who was in a detention camp

and who fucked everybody in town?

They gonna believe you or me?

And I'll tell you something
else, Miss Melody Mason.

They're gonna think I was taken in by you.

Used by you.

And I was whether you
want to admit it or not.

Now they're gonna feel
sorry for me, not you.

And it's your career that's
gonna be finished, not mine.

And you're gonna work for
me and you're gonna fuck me

until I tell you you're finished!

(knocking)

- Jamie!

Jamie, Jamie, are you in there?

Jamie!

Jamie, what's wrong?

(knocking)

Jamie.

Jamie, you left the phone off the hook.

I knew something terrible happened to you.

But this, Jamie, who did this to you?

And why?

- And that's about all of it.

That's why I didn't want
you coming to Nashville.

That's what I couldn't
tell you on the phone.

But most of all, that's
what I don't want you

telling the folks.

Pa would kill Jeb, and so
would Ben and Clay and Jeremy.

You know, he said I was leading him on.

And you know something, Kathy, I was.

- And you really think
he'll do what he says

he's gonna do if you don't play ball?

- I don't know, Kathy,
I'm so terribly tired.

I can't think anymore.

Maybe tomorrow I'll think of something.

- Well you get a good
night's sleep, Jamie,

and maybe by in the morning

I'll have found a solution.

(light music)

(sighing)

- Kathy?

Kathy, where are you?

(phone ringing)

- Hello?

- Hello, Fran, is that you?

- Yes of course it's me.

Who's this?

- Jamie.

Is everything all right?

- Yes of course everything's all right.

Is Jeb there?

- No, why do you ask?

- A young girl came by
about 45 minutes ago.

She said that she was your sister Kathy.

You told her to pick
up Jeb and bring him by

to your place because you
wanted to talk to him.

- [Jeb] I said slow down, dammit!

- I'll slow down under one condition.

- Anything!

- You leave Jamie alone
from now on, you hear me?

- I promise, now will
you please slow down?

Look, you're making me nervous.

Why don't you stop the
car and let me drive back?

- Okay.

You're not gonna go back
on your word, are you Jeb?

- No I won't.

(bashing)

Now that's for that crazy
ride you just took me on.

And I'm gonna let you in
on another little secret.

If your sister can't tell me what to do,

you sure as hell can't.

(car starting)

- [Jamie] I wanna talk to you.

- [Jeb] You're already talking.

- [Jamie] Where's my sister?

- Your sister's up the
road there about 28 miles,

she's gonna walk.
- I warned you

to stay away from me.

- I didn't, she came here!

- What did you do to her?

- I slapped her stupid little face

which is what I should have done to you

the first time you started acting uppity.

- You ain't gonna slap her again.

You ain't gonna slap me either

'cause I'm through!

You don't own me.

- Oh yes I do.

I've got you under contract
for another five years.

And you're gonna do what I tell you to do.

- Well if being Melody Mason
means singing to your tune,

you could take back your contract.

You could take back your royalties

and you could take back
your whole goddamn character

that you've created.

I can go back to being Jamie Barker.

And if that means starting all over again

then that's what I'll do.

I can make it on talent alone.

And if I can't, I'll find some other way

of earning a living.

- You just can't walk
out of your contract!

- [Fran] Jeb.

- You know what you can
do with your contract.

You can take your contract
and shove it up your ass.

(light guitar music)

♪ Wish I could be as clean ♪

♪ As a stone in your mountain stream ♪

♪ Wish you could take
me back to yesterday ♪

♪ But boy it came to this ♪

♪ And I wasn't colored with ♪

♪ The kind of dirt your
water can't wash away ♪

♪ River you've been my friend ♪

♪ When I couldn't hold my feelings in ♪

♪ Hey you're the one I
poured my heart out to ♪

♪ You've been in my secret world ♪

♪ Since I was a little girl ♪

♪ Old friend now I come
home to talk to you ♪

♪ River won't you help me find
out who I am and how I got ♪

♪ My life so all mixed
up and out of time ♪

♪ I need someone to talk to ♪

♪ And from what I know and listen ♪

♪ To my trouble and he'll
bring me peace of mind ♪

♪ Wish I could be as clean ♪

♪ As a stone in your mountain stream ♪

♪ Wish you could take
me back to yesterday ♪

♪ But boy it came to this ♪

♪ And I wasn't colored with ♪

♪ The kind of dirt your
water can wash away ♪

♪ River won't you help
me find out who I am ♪

♪ And how I got my life all
mixed up and out of time ♪