Original subtitles

Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Who could that be?

Officer

bragg.

Officer, I did not miss that stop sign.

That thing's been there since --

well, let's just say

since you were a glint in your daddy's eye.

Mm-hmm.

Where you from? You're not from around here, are ya?

Fulton. Misstaylor, you ran through the stop sign --

officer, I was readin' in peoples digest--

you take peoples digest?

It said those radar guns can cause impotence

if you sit with them in your lap.

You, uh, don't sit with it in your lap, do ya?

Um

Lila's yellin',

get your philanderin' butt off my porch!

An old 70-year-old woman can pack a wallop.

Ooh!

Woman: Franklin, somethin' you don't want to forget.

Well, to Lila --

to allthe lilas, young and old,

makin' sure we neverrun out of songs.

Yep.

Right on, Bobby.

Call you.

I'm out.

Three Jacks.

Three kings.

Damn, Bobby!

Thank you, boys.

Where did you all dig him up, anyway?

You been with the band three months,

and already wiped out my life savings.

Evenin', sir. I was just -- well, miss Taylor was just --

mm-hmm. Leanna, by my watch you got about 12 minutes.

Hank has probably got his boxers in a twist.

We don't want that, do we?

No.

Come on.

Bragg: Yes, sir!

Thank you, darlin'.

Ruby, one of these days

that woman's gonna give me a heart attack.

Sit down, Hank. She's got her rituals.

Peoples digest ain't a ritual.

I've seen stranger.

Roy used to have to change his underwear

right at the last minute.

Would not go on stage

till he snugged up a fresh pair.

She could read them here.

At least I'd know where she was 30 seconds before

she's supposed to be on the damn stage.

Thanks, handsome.

Hey!

She's here!

You thought I wasn't gonna show, didn't you?

Come on. Let's go.

Hey, hey, hey! Hey, Bo!

Well, Julie evers!

Where's Joe tonight?

He let you out lookin' like that? That fool!

Hey, there.

Excuse me. Comin' through.

Man: Ladies and gentlemen,

Leanna Taylor and the blue valley ramblers!

Hey, everybody!

Y'all ready for another Saturday night at Ruby's?

Man: It's wednesdaynight, Leanna!

Well, now, do I look like a Wednesday night to you?

Well, all right, then!

Hey, honey.

A sound check would've been nice.

Oh, just put the knobs where you have the last 933 times.

Here's the set list.

I thought we were doin' bittersweet tonight.

If you'd been here all night like me,

you'd know what they're in the mood for.

Do the list.

All right, honey. Y'all ready?

You folks ready?!

I hope you're never happy

with anybody but me

I wish you nothin' but trouble

oooh oooh

if you've decided to leave

oooh

I'm just not like those heroes

find in books and on TV

I hope you're never happy

with anybody but me

she is gonna jump right out of that dress

one of these nights!

Keeps them comin' back for more.

Yeah.

I hope you're never happy

never, ever, ever happy

with anybody but me

yeah!

Hank: You should be drinkin' water.

In Germany pregnant women drink a beer every night --

somethin' to do with the minerals.

I was talkin' to Leanna.

I don't drink water. I can smell.

Talk to the city, don't talk to me.

We got a long weekend ahead of us.

I just don't want your voice froggin' up.

Ribbit! Ribbit!

Hank: You boys, the way you sound,

you might as well go on drinkin'.

Amen to that!

Oh, brother!

Leanna, Ruby, you want a coke?

You know how many cds we sold tonight?

Three.

Everybody that wants one has got one.

Well, if you're not gonna come up with any new material,

we're gonna be in trouble.

Well, you make it sound like I'm not even tryin'.

New songs don't just pop out of thin air.

Look, whatever has got you in a rut --

you -you -- aw, what's the use?

Maybe we ought to hit a couple of college towns

this time out.

I've talked to a friend of Ruby's.

She's got a club in asheville.

Now, what would those kids want with me?

I'm not exactly Courtney love.

Well, there's an idea.

Maybe you could cover one of her songs,

like, uh she walks on me

or you hit me and it felt like a kiss.

Well, ain't we full of surprises?

Well, I'm just tryin' to keep up.

Tryin' to keep up.

It's keepin' me down.

Tryin' to keep up

it's keepin' me down

tryin' to keep up

it's keepin' me down

tryin' to keep up

Grass needs cuttin'.

First thing tomorrow, honey.

When a flower grows wild

it can always survive

wildflowers don't care where they grow

no, wildflowers don't care where they grow

I have alwaysloved that song, and I have neverlearned it.

That was beautiful.

You've gotta do it.

Hank: Maybe you ought to

play a little mandolin on that.

No, I mean sheshould do it -- alone, just like that.

Really?!

Well if you want to do it, Leanna, do it.

But you gotta work up an arrangement, like always.

We got a sound people expect to hear.

We ain't gonna start throwin' them change-ups.

You can't get fastballs by them forever.

That's not how I see it.

Well, hell!

This band ain't nothin' but a bunch of knuckle balls.

And besides, it the curvesthat get them!

Don't you boys forget it.

Melon, don't leave your wife out there!

All right!

She said you could come in.

Leave me alone!

Just go back in the house.

Bobby, we'll do it --

work up an arrangement, just like Hank said,

'cause Hank isright.

Hanks's alwaysright!

That's why I keep him around.

Woman: I just don't got time to read.

Hey, you think they got cliff notes

for peoples digest?

I don't think so, honey!

Oh, Thelma.

I am gonna forward this number to Hank's cell phone.

So if you need anything at all, you just call the house here.

Oh, I never did trust those things.

Mnh-mnh.

Leanna

if melon was to --

well, I mean, you are gonna be at that college club,

and there's gonna be lots of girls.

And I know how he operates.

Oh, honey, we're only gonna be gone three days.

Well, it didn't take him that long with me!

You got nothin' to worry about.

Why don't you go on out there

and spend a little time with him before we leave?

And do me a favor -- give this to Hank.

Okay.

Okay.

Hey, baby!

Hey, baby. Don't be in the way now.

Here you go, Hank.

Hmm?

Thank you.

Thelma, please don't stand right in the way.

Baby, move, or you're gonna get hurt, now.

Of all the chicks you could'veknocked up.

I don't remember askin' your opinion!

Thelma!

Thelma, honey, come on, now!

Hank: Hello?

Aw, for cryin' out loud, Thelma!

We haven't even crossed the county line yet!

Leanna: Hank, let her talk a minute!

Does anybody else gotta take a leak?

It's all yours.

Thanks.

Melon: Sweetie, I will call you when I get to the motel.

Leanna, I was just wonderin'. I got this tune.

I mean, it ain't much -- a little lyric and all.

But it might be somethin' new

we could just toss out there.

I was wonderin' if I could show it to you.

You know, just tell me what you think.

Yeah, I'd be happy to.

Happy to what?

Oh, Bobby's workin' on a song.

We'll get together later.

We'll have some time before the show.

All right, thanks.

Hey, buddy.

This band has already got a songwriter.

Sure thing.

Let's go boys!

Saddle up. We're gonna hit the road.

I was thinkin' here we could split the verses.

And I could do the first half,

if it's okay, and you'd sing the second half.

And then we could come back in together on the chorus.

Yeah. That sounds good.

You don't happen to have some lyrics, do ya?

Uh!

Well, just like he was ready for this!

I've even got the changes in here for you.

Oh, well, good for you!

You don't have to show me but once.

They say I'm a quick study.

They say!

I love you, I love you

my heart seems to whisper

but my lips cannot form those words

it's pretty. Is this my part?

And I know my heart is --

is that calling?

Yeah.

You don't write very plain.

That's why I need your help.

I know my heart is calling out to you

in a voice you've already heard

oh, that's nice!

Does your heart feel as if hmm-mmm

it could burst any second? Hmm-mmm

is it racing and will not slow up?

Yes.

If you just want to be

with me endlessly

I'm thinkin' we might be in love

oh, that's gonna be nice!

I'm playin' with a real star.

A star?!

Don't be using that word around Ruby.

She'll think I'm bucking for a raise.

I can't imagine why you never got picked up

by a record label.

Well, that's a little like

wonderin' why a good-lookin' guy

is still runnin' around town single.

So we both sing this part, right?

We might be in love

the best I can tell

I'm thinkin' thoughts that I never pondered

and I'm feelin' like I never felt

do you girls like Tequila?

Hey! Sticks. Stage.

Aw, now?!

Excitement and pure ecstasy

we might be in love

come on, let's go. We're up.

You're going the wrong direction.

I gotta get my shirt!

Well, just tell her I'm in the can.

Yeah, and she's gonna want to talk to me,

and I cannottalk!

Thelma! Look, he's not messin' around on ya.

He's sleepin' in the car tonight.

Excuse me?

Uh, yes, ma'am. Hold on one second.

Leanna, it's your mother.

Yeah, right! My mother!

I ain't talked to my mother since I was a b-cup!

Thelma, you know I cannot talk before I go on --

wellno, mama.

I'm just surprised, that's all.

Daddy?

When?

So I guess

you need me to send money for the funeral?

No. Daddy wouldn't have wanted that.

So just something simple, then.

Come on! Let's go!

Yeah, mama, I-I can't talk right now.

Mama, did -did you ever get any of my letters?

Well, then, uh,

would you give the reverend my regards?

Okay, mama. Bye.

Uhyou don't need to mention this to Hank.

So

this Jimmy -he was just hangin' in there

just a li-i-i-ttle too close for just a little too long.

And he wascute!

So, I says to him,

get thee behind me, Satan!

And go wait in the back of my Cadillac.

Oh!

Well, let me see here. You know what?

Why don't we do something different?

Maybe like an old standard?

Angel band?

Y'all know angel band, don't ya?

Yeah, that's f.

You know it, don't you?

Y'all want to hear it?

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

My latest sun

is sinking fast

my race is nearly run

my strongest trials

now are past

my triumph has begun

oh, come

angel band

come and

around me stand

go bear me

away on your snowy wings

to my immortal home

go bear me

away on your snowy wings

to my immortal

home

mornin', miss Leanna.

He's here early today.

Oh, come

angel band

come and

around me stand

go bear me

away on your snowy wings

you can hear that every night.

Not like this, I don't.

Go bear me

away on your snowy wings

to my immortal home

The peoples digest 15 most popular

is even a small star shines in the dark,

don't run after a man or a bus.

There will always be another one

and you can catch more flies with honey

than you can with vinegar.

I would say manure gets the most of them.

Ew! Ew!

Oh come on, that was funny!

Next! Your turn.

You go.

Where's melon?

Still on the phone.

Anybody want anything from the drugstore?

Leanna: Not me, honey.

All right.

So, when is your daddy's funeral?

Saturday.

So, we'll be in asheville.

I'm sure they'll understand.

I can't go.

You see

me and mama --

well, I used to write her all these letters.

I even sent them to the preacher back home,

so daddy wouldn't know.

I never heard a single word from her

for 25 years --

25years

until today.

Damn! What time is it?!

Time to get up.

Is anybody else up yet?

Iam.

I'll be across the street at the pay phone.

You're up early.

Well, I need an early start.

If you need a shoulder, you don't have to tell me why.

You can just tell me when.

Bobby, you don't need to be worrying about me.

I was trying to figure out if you need to

let it out a little bit at a time

or if you just want to linger over it awhile.

I'm not a masochist.

Well, you're the only country singer that ain't.

Ain't that the truth!

Bishop, get out of bed.

Are you gonna let bishop sleep all day?

Well, he's up.

Well, yes he is! Good mornin', sweetie.

Listen, baby, I gotta go.

Don't cry. Now, don't cry.

I gotta go. The guys are waitin' for me.

Hey, you guys! What are you doin'?

In you go!

Melon: Thelma! Hey, Thelma!

Bobby: Ma'am, that was beautiful.

Thelma: What the hell are you doin'? Answer me!

You hear me, melon?

I swear to god, I'm gonna come and find you guys. I am!

I was thinkin' about springing for an extra room tonight.

Give everybody a bed.

You boys can stick all the equipment

into your room.

Bishop doesn't get to skip his turn in the car.

He's gotta do it tomorrow.

Hey, man, we drew nights. And Bobby'sgot tomorrow.

For cryin' out loud!

Just push the rotation back a night!

Give us a little time to ourselves for once.

Right, Leanna?

Leanna?

Yeah, that'd be great.

Man: The lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul.

Please do not climb on elephant.

You know, I never read one of those.

Well, you ought to.

It's the world's greatest literature andwisdom

condensed for busy people.

Like your songs.

You say a lot in one song. It adds up.

Don't you ever quit?

What?

Readin' between the lines.

I'm sorry.

I kinda like it, really. Makes me feel special

or important

or something.

Like you're not already.

You just need to push for more.

Well, you certainly are fixated on this celebrity thing.

I just like to see people get what they deserve.

Well, Bobby, don't get me wrong.

I'd be lyin' if I said I never wanted to be a big star,

but I'm pretty happy with the way things are.

Not a week goes by that I don't get to

stand up in front of an audience and sing.

A lot of talented people don't get to say that.

Oh, duty calls!

I'm just sayin' you deserve better.

Leanna: Hmm-mmm

I love you, I love you

my heart seems to whisper

but my lips cannot form those words

and I know my heart is calling out to you

in a voice you've already heard

does your heart feel as if

it could burst any second?

Is it racing and will not slow up?

If you just want to be

with me endlessly

then I'm thinkin'

we might be in love

we might be in love oooh

what else could it be? Oooh

these feelings of wonder, of passion, and romance

excitement, and pure ecstasy oo-oh oo-oh ooh

we might be in love

and it might be forever

I think there's a future for us

if you just want to be oooh

in and all over me oooh

it might be

we might be in love

I promise for keeps aah-ahh

if you're feelin' like me aah-ahh

then it might be

we might be in love

I dare say

we might be in

love

Aaah!

Sorry about that squalling, folks.

Somebody must be asleep at the switch back there.

Yeah, asleep, my ass!

What do you wanna do next?

Hmm

Why don't you all take five?

Go.

Now, you kids won't remember this,

but, you know, country music wasn'tcountry music

when I was growin' up. It was just our music.

It came straight from the heart, and that's why it was good.

Good thing to remember this day and time.

So, in the spirit of that, I give you this.

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm-mm-mmmm

the hills were alive

with wildflowers and I

was as wild, even Wilder than they

for at least I could run

they just died in the sun

and I refused to just wither in place

just a wild mountain Rose

needing freedom to grow

so I ran, fearing not where I'd go, whoa-whoa

when a flower grows wild

it can always survive

wildflowers don't care where they grow

de-de-dum de-de-de-do

de-de-dum de-de-de-do

mm-hmm, mm-hmm-mm-mmmm

I grew up fast and wild

and I never felt right

in a garden so different from me

I just never belonged

next time you step off that stage

without my permission

just keep right on walking.

Hitched a ride with the wind

and since he was my friend

I just let him decide

where we'd go, whoa-whoa

when a flower grows wild

it can always survive

man: Actually, I freelance, but, uh

Peter McNally at Wisteria records --

I work with him a lot.

How do we know that?

Oh, Hank, this is John Conroy.

I want McNally to hear you.

I'm gonna tell him to.

Are you guys gonna be on the road for a while?

We're in and out.

McNally is not going to make an appointment.

I need to give him your itinerary,

and he'll decide when and where to drop in on you.

I tell you what --

why don't you have a seat out here at the bar?

I'll write up the itinerary for you.

That last one was gorgeous, sweetheart.

It made the hairs on my arms stand up.

That's how I know.

Thank you.

Wow, Peter McNally!

You think after all these years he's --

what? He's forgotten?

Hell, no, sweetheart.

Well, it's worth a try!

Oh, get real, Leanna.

I mean, after the way you blew him off?

Look, if McNally was going to give you another chance,

he wouldn't go through some hack talent scout.

Listen, sweetheart.

You been playin' at Ruby's for what,

10 years now?

It's not like he doesn't know where to find you.

Well, maybe that's the problem.

Maybe I've been workin' the same gig for so long,

nobody's payin' attention anymore.

Plenty of people are payin' attention.

I see to that.

Oh, yeah, one more thing.

I can't mix the songs if I don't know

what the hell it is you're singin'.

Next time you pull a stunt like that,

you're liable to sound like

a whore on a 3-day binge.

Young Leanna: I know at least two dozen songs.

I got all the regular ones --

Carter family, miss kitty Wells.

Hold on, now. I get the picture, all right?

I got a couple of my own, too.

But she's real good, sir! Just listen.

Play him one, Leanna.

Mama!

Take this out of the house again,

and it's kindling!

There's nothin' wrong with her singing.

She's got a gift from god!

And it's for his ears!

His and mine!

Daddy, I don't mean to get you angry.

I just love to sing.

You're too young to know the good from the bad.

So I gotta keep the bad from ya.

Let's get some sleep.

We gotta get home early tomorrow.

I'm sorry about tonight, baby.

I'm sorry about the way I talked.

It's just that you're so doggone trusting,

somebody's gotta watch out for you.

My daddy's funeral was today.

I'm gonna get a cold drink. You want anything?

Hang on, you guys. I'm coming.

Hang on!

Hey!

Hey! You guys still up?

Yeah, they're still at the bar.

Come on in.

So, I wonder who is sleepin' on the cot tonight.

Well, bishop and melon are gonna be workin' that one out.

Yeah, I'm sure.

My boys!

Hey, I just wanted to tell you

that I think you are a greatsongwriter.

Thank you.

And you make my songs sound better.

I don't know about that.

Well, I do.

I've worked with dozens of musicians,

and I have never sounded this good.

Accidents happen.

Well, hey, if I was you,

I'd get me a bed before those guys get back.

That's a good idea.

Thelma!

What are youdoin' here?

Melon was supposed to call before the show.

So, is this you all's room?

Well, the men's room, yeah.

Mine and Hank's room is over there.

Uh-huh.

Well, don't let mekeep you.

Thelma, you got no business driving six hours alone

in your condition.

You can't just be thinkin' about yourself.

You got a baby in that car with you!

How you doin'?

Any sign of them?

Nope.

What's goin' on?

Thelma, you practically got him under surveillance.

How could you notknow where he is?

He's supposed to be here with Ruby's cake,

for crying out loud!

Sweetie, that's not good for the baby.

Would you just stop about this damn baby?

I know you all think I'm a bitch,

the way I check up on melon, and all.

But I'm stuck with him forever,

and this baby is what gives me the right.

Nobody's judging you.

You're the only friend I got here, Leanna.

If I hadn't gotten pregnant, I never would've married melon.

I'd just go back home

and leave melon to his own self.

Well, if melon ain't good to you,

maybe that's exactly what you shoulddo.

I don't think I could make it all alone with a kid.

Thelma, listen to me.

Nobody should ever stay with a man

because of a baby.

If melon don't treat you good,

chances are he's not gonna be good for that baby, either.

And don't let anybody tell you different.

Ah! Thank you! Thank you, thank you!

Yeah, well at least Hank takes care of business for you.

I can't get melon to take out the garbage.

Well, does that mean Hank gets to run my life?

Hey, I don't blame you checking out your options.

I mean, it's not like Hank has put a ring on your finger.

Thelma, whatever you think you saw last night

didn'thappen.

Well, I guess it's all where you draw the line.

Franklin, I don't get it!

Hank was here earlier.

Hey

who's that?

What the --

what now?

Hey, mister, you can't get up there!

Buddy!

I can't? Well, then

I better get down!

Who is responsible for this?!

Oh, no. Unh-unh!

Unh-unh!

Oh, my lord! I want to know who did this!

Who brung him in here?

Leanna Taylor, I see you!

I knewit was you!

I should've known!

Put that shirt back on!

Oh!

Oh, stop it, now!

Whoo! You enjoy it Ruby. You don't have much time left.

Oh! You cute thing!

You are a sweet darlin'!

Man: Ruby, speech!

Man 2: Speech!

Speech, Ruby!

Speech!

This is great and everything.

There's one problem.

It is notmy birthday!

Well, of course not!

Ruby ain't hada birthday in 20 years!

Happy birthday, baby.

Thank you.

Thank y'all. I appreciate it.

Oh, man.

Well, what did you expect, honey?

Come on.

Hank?

Oh!

Good mornin'!

Oh, yeah.

You look like hell. How do you feel?

I feel old, Ruby.

Want some coffee?

Oh, no. Unh-unh.

I am sosorry.

What do you want me to do?

Oh! Brush your teeth!

Come on.

We gotta figure out what's got Leanna on such a tear.

Well, it could be because her daddy died.

She didn't tell me

till after she'd already missed the funeral.

Well! She didn't tell me.

That's something.

Hey, you!

Hey.

Is Hank inside?

Yeah.

You know what -last night, I wanted to tell you,

it was the best birthday party inever had.

That wassomethin'.

It was.

Looki mean,

I been tastin' your lipstick all day.

I hope you had somethin'

a little more substantial than that.

We're doin' four sets tonight.

I don't wanna put you on the spot.

I mean, you and Hank --

I know y'all been together forever.

And I don't wanna be the one to try to bust that up.

Especially not now,

with everything that's going on with ya.

I just --

I don't know. What do you want me to do?

Hey, look

I am late!

You're alwayslate.

No, I mean, I am actuallylate.

Could you wait a few seconds?

Hey, there! Here I am! I'm sorry I made you wait!

I'm not late! You're early!

Well! Thank you!

As much as I'd like to talk to everybody,

somebody around here better be makin' some music,

or Ruby's gonna pop a gusset.

You should've told me about your daddy's funeral.

I could've changed the dates.

You look like hell!

Well, you look like a thousand bucks

an hour.

I love you, I love you

my heart seems to whisper

but my lips cannot form those words

I know my heart is calling out to you

in a voice you've already heard

does your heart feel as if

it could burst any second?

How many has he had?

Third round this set.

And will not slow up?

Do you just want to be

with me endlessly?

Well, I'm thinkin'

we might be in love

we might be in love oooh

the best I can tell oooh

I'm thinkin' thoughts that I've never pondered

and I'm feelin' like I've never felt oo-oh oo-oh ooh

it's like I drank

from some magic potion

sippin' from your loving cup

intoxicated oooh

infatuated oooh

I'm thinkin' we might be in love

we might be in love aah-ahh

what else could it be? Aah-ahh

these feelings of wonder, of passion and romance

excitement and pure ecstasy

we might be in love

and it might be forever

I think there's a future for us

if you just want to be oooh

in and all over me oooh

it might be

we might be in love

I promise for keeps aah-ahh

if you're feelin' like me aah-ahh

then it might be

we might be in love

I dare say

we might be in

love

Thank you.

We will be right back!

I'm gonna get something to drink.

What?

Don't let go, Leanna.

Huh! It's cold!

Daddy!

Ugh!

I thought it was the man

who was supposed to turn the womanin

for a younger model.

Hey, you'rethe one

that didn't come home last night.

Yeah, well, there were some friends

I hadn't seen in a while.

It felt good to think about myselffor once

instead of the band.

Oh, you're breakin' my heart!

Hey, listen to me!

I don't do it for the vast appreciation it gets me!

The anchor ain't the most glamorous part of the yacht!

Leanna? Are you okay?

She's fine!!

Bobby, it's okay. Go back inside.

What are you doin'?!

Will you stop?! What are you --

are you crazy?!

Daddy, stop! Daddy!

Stop!

Hank, get off of him!Get off of him!

I'm fine!! I'm fine!!

Hey, Leanna!

You get back here!

You get back here!

We got two more sets!

You are fired. You hear me?

You get your guitar

and you get the hell out of here!

Young Leanna: Daddy, he's hurt!

You fell, you hear me?

Yes, sir!

You fell.

You say different, and I'll finish the job.

You understand me?

Yes, sir!

Now, ge-e-et!

Ugh!

Look what you made me do!

I love you, I love you

my heart seems to whisper

but my lips cannot form those words

I know my heart is calling out to you

in a voice you've already heard

does your heart feel as if

it could burst any second?

Is it racing and will not slow up?

Do you just want to be

with me endlessly?

Well, I'm thinkin'

we might be in love

we might be in love oooh

the best I can tell oooh

I'm thinkin' thoughts that I've never pondered

and I'm feelin' like I've never felt oo-oh oo-oh ooh

it's like I drank

from some magic potion

sippin' from your loving cup

intoxicated oooh

infatuated oooh

I'm thinkin' we might be in love

Did you get my guitar?

What?

Last night -- did you get my guitar?

It's in the trailer.

I need a change.

What the hell are you talkin' about?

I been standing in the same place for too long.

Then go for a walk. Rearrange the furniture.

Hank, you're not listening to me.

Last night's the first time I've ever walked out on a show.

Well, thank god you got your prioritiesstraight!

I thought last night was the first time

that you slept with another man!

It turns out it was just a little career crisis.

It's not my career! It's my life!

Well, it is mine,too.

And 15years of it

has been dedicated to you!

When I first met you, you were a flake.

You couldn't have gotten a gig

at a fire department picnic if your hair was in flames!

You were on a fast track to nowhere,

ready to crash and burn!

And I fixed it!

I fixed it, damn it!

I fixed it so you never had to do anything

but write your songs and sing them.

Idid that for you!

What more do you want? Jeez!

Something to hope for.

I gotta have a shot at something better!

I just have to!

Leanna, the grass is always greener.

Well, maybe! But I have to know!

I've got to reach for something higher!

I've got to, Hank!

Or I'm gonna reach for the door!

What do you want me to do?

Sit on my hands while you throw yourself at some guitar player?

No. And I can't talk about thatright now!

I want you to call John Conroy.

McNally knowsyou. Leanna, he kno--

no, he doesn't! I've changed!

Are you gonna call him?

Sure.

If that's what it takes, I'll call him.

Good.

I've known Peter McNally forever --

way before you started working with Leanna.

He has this phrase he likes to joke about -snake alert.

When he worked here 15 years ago,

he saw lots of talent come through.

Problem was, most of them had snakes in their heads --

his words.

Peter has an aversion to snakes.

And he can spot one in 10 seconds flat.

This Conroy guy -does he carry any weight with McNally?

Shoot, Leanna doesn't need Conroy to get to McNally.

Why don't you just stay out of it

and let nature take its course.

She doesn't want me to stay out of it.

Franklin: For what it's worth, the way I see it,

a filly gets spooked, a man's got to hang on, let her run.

That happened to an uncle of mine once.

He got knocked off by a tree branch --

killed him.

Well, that too.

Yep.

I thought you told him to make an appointment.

He insistedon waiting.

He said he knew you -- Mr. Hatcher.

Hank!

Oh, hey, Peter. I wasn't sure you'd remember me.

I heard you were with Leanna Taylor.

Yep. Goin' on 15 years.

I don't have much time to talk. Call me.

This won't take but a second.

Thing is, one of your fellows has been giving me a problem.

Really? Who?

A guy by the name of John Conroy.

He's been sniffing around Leanna,

making all these big promises.

Frankly it's got her all distracted.

Is she still a handful?

Well, she's still hanging in there.

We got a lot of solid bookings.

It ain't nothin' like the big time,

but we're gettin' by.

Should I be paying attention?

Well, I'd give up my right arm for Leanna,

-but lord knows she can be a problem. -Still?

Just the other night, she walked out on the show.

I mean, right out of the blue,

just up and left before the third set.

Look, I know Conroy can get excited.

I'll talk to him, okay?

I appreciate that.

Hey, it was good seein' you.

If you see Ruby, tell her I said, hey.

And tell her if she's on this side of the river,

she'd better come and see me.

I'll do that. Thank you so much.

Hank: Sometimes, she'll repeat the chorus right here.

You just got to keep an ear out for it.

Good mornin', honey. You know Dwayne randolf.

Oh, we've never met.

But, yeah, sure. Of course I do.

I've seen you all a bunch of times over at Ruby's.

Dwayne was supposed to go on tour with Ricky,

but Ricky's wife got sick.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Anyway it's our luck

I talked him into slummin' for a few weeks,

takin' that swing down to Georgia with us.

Yeah, well, that would be good.

Sure would.

It's Bobby.

-Hank, about that chorus -hey

huh?

It's been 30 hours -31.

I'm sorry. I just couldn't wait any longer.

Well, things are a little complicated.

I kind of picked up on that. Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm all right. How about you?

Well, this tornado blew in here the other night,

kind of spun me around,

then blew right back out the front door.

Sorry about that. I didn't mean to --

Bobby, I'm going to have to be straight with you.

Peter McNally may audition me, and I can't take any chances.

-McNally? -Yeah

that's great. It's amazing timing.

And, well, about the band --

you don't have to worry about me there.

What I really need right now is to see you.

I'm not sure how --

to meet on Saturday.

Hank's going to be watching the ballgame at melon's,

and I'll be at the candlelight.

I don't know how that could happen.

Just say you'll come, please. That's all I need right now.

I don't know, Bobby.

That's enough for now.

I'm glad you came, Hank.

You know, I used to want to be a singer.

Really?

I've never heard you sing.

I can't.

Well, you can't be thatbad.

Wanna bet?

You're going to be something I never could be --

you're going to be a mama.

And that is the most important job in the whole world.

If kids are so great, then how come you never had any?

Well, I just ran out of time, I guess.

I kept waitin' around

afraid I didn't, you know, qualify.

I guess I was just afraid I'd mess it up.

Honey, bring me a beer.

You ever notice how they get drunk,

then weend up with the hangover?

Announcer: They're all over the kicker.

So, third down and

Leanna, you'd make a real good mother.

Oh, thank you.

Hey, Hank, what was that beer shower all about?

You looked a little hot.

Yeah, right.

Hank, I need the car keys. I got to get some air.

It ain't Thelma, is it?

You want me to tell her to shut up?

You be good to Thelma. There's nothing wrong with her.

Where are you goin'?

I'm goin' home.

Here in Nashville.

We'll be back after these messages.

The ref was in somebody's back pocket.

See you later.

Bye, Leanna.

Let's do it! Let's do it!

Go!

Hank: Hey, leave a message for Hank or Leanna.

Hatcher, it's Conroy. Look, what you did was stupid.

Oh, hello? It's Leanna.

I got no problems with you. This is between me and Hank.

Well, Hank's not here.

Well, tell him to call me.

Any business you got with Hank, you got with me.

Hank shouldn't have gotten in the middle of it

if he had told me about your history with McNally,

I could have finessed things.

As it is you want him to hear you now,

you better pray for divine intervention.

What are you talkin' about?! What did Hank do?

Ask him.He's the one who messed it up.

Damn him!

Hank still at melon's?

Why didn't you just tell me you weren't gonna come?

I wanted to.

I couldn't.

The other night, I crossed a line I wouldn't have crossed

unless I thought you wanted me to.

I shouldn't have come there. I was just --

well, I kind of let it all come up out of me.

I gotta know

if I'm walkin' away from a lie or somethin' real.

I don't know, Bobby.

Oh, I should have known. Yep.

Where you goin'?

Go to hell!

Reverend taft

I'm Leanna Taylor.

Leanna Taylor?!

Your mother didn't say anything about you coming.

No, I-I guess I should call her.

She doesn't have a phone.

I got somethin' that belongs to you.

And I don't suppose

there's any need for me to keep it any longer.

I probably should burn these.

If I ever get famous,

I'm pretty sure there's some incriminatin' stuff in here.

Just a girl growing up in those pages.

She had me read them to her.

It did her good to share it with someone, I guess.

You know, everything

is just so much smaller than I remember.

Things don't get smaller, Leanna.

They just kind of lose their power to overwhelm us --

with enough time, anyway.

Mama!

Leanna?

I made sweet tea.

You know, you can't get good tea in Nashville.

All they have is that old, instant stuff.

Oh? Uh-huh?

Please, sit.

You know, remember when you was a little girl

how you always loved them doilies?

Well, they went out of style a ways back,

and they was just collectin' dust, anyway.

So I kept them for ya.

Oh, well, thank you.

I was just about to --i was just about to --

your room's just a dump-it room now.

Seems like I got more and more to dump.

Things just keep breakin'.

And now I got all of daddy's stuff.

You need help with that, mama?

Oh, no. The church will come by and get it --

soon as I call them.

How you gonna do that? Let me have you a phone put in.

Now, just who am I gonna call?

Reverend taft and me. And what if you had an emergency?

I got my Bible.

I kept your daddy's old shotgun.

Anything those two can't handle, I don't want to know about.

Here -- have some turnip Greens.

You're not gonna believe this,

but I still have that dress you made for me.

That old sewing machine still purrs like a kitten.

Do you still have the touch?

You bet I do. In fact,

I still got that swatch of fabric around here somewhere.

I don't know how you keep that tiny waist.

My mama had an hourglass figure, too -till she had me.

My daddy used to say,

a figure like that brings nothing but trouble.

Fly you away from my window, little bluebird

for the only one that I have ever loved

has gone away

and I'm in no mood

for to hear your song today

mm-hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm

hmm hmm mm-hmm mm-mm-hmm hmm

so spread your blue wings

light your blue sky

and I'll share my blue tears

hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm

Oh, here it is.

You look so pretty in this dress.

Your letters, for years now,

it's, Hank this, and, Hank that.

I declare, for the life of me,

I can't seem to get a fix on him in my mind.

Well, when you get back to Nashville,

you find me the fabric as soon as you can.

Of course,

I can go on over to Knoxville and get the material.

I just thought you'd want to pick it out.

Reverend taft must have had 50 letters there.

I'll go ahead and make a pattern.

How come you never wrote me back?

You know I can't barely write.

Reverend taft would've been glad to have helped you.

I thought things were gonna get better.

I didn't think it was gonna be this long.

25 years?!

For 25 years, I've been thinkin' about you.

I've been thinkin' about you and that door.

What's behind that door, anyway, mama?

What you got locked up in there now?

Nothin'!

You saw how he acted.

How could you just pretend it was nothin'?

You just played your guitar -- he never touchedyou!

He was crazy! He didn't let me play anywhere!

All he did was lock me in that room and sing just for him!

How could you just sit and do nothin' about it?!

I was afraid.

I apologize, mama.

I shouldn't have come.

Hank: Are you home to stay,

or is this just another stop on your way to who-knows-where?

I don't know.

I've been to hell and back a hundred times on your account.

I can't tell you how many times I almost called the police.

Maybe you ran off a bridge, or you got kidnapped.

I don't know.

Maybe you left town with some guitar player.

What does it matter?

Oh, damn, Leanna, that's not fair.

I mean, what is wrong with you?

I got a right to know.

Ask John Conroy.

Mm-hmm. Yeah, of course.

Were you listenin' to me?

She's got laryngitis --

that's what I've been tellin' ya.

Oh, hell, I've had to cancel a bunch of gigs.

We haven't rehearsed for more than -ow! -Three weeks.

I don't know. Not like I planned it this way.

Yeah, I'll call you. You'll be the first one I call.

Hatcher.

Yeah -lemon and honey, and saltwater gargles,

antibiotics -- done it, doin' it.

I'll call you.

Bye.

I can't believe

Hank would be so stupid to mess something like this up.

One thing Hank is not is stupid.

So, what happened back then?

Well, McNally put on a talent showcase.

She was a no-show.

He promoted the hell out of her.

He was just getting started,

and she embarrassed him pretty good

in front of a bunch of record-company muckety-mucks.

She wouldn't do that now.

She wouldn't even cancel for her own father's funeral.

That'sthe picture of mental health, isn't it?

We aretalkin' about Leanna.

Yes.

We are.

And I love her to death, and so do you.

Leanna?

Leanna, open the door.

It's me -Thelma.

Leanna?

Leanna?

Hoo hoo?

This package was on the doorstep.

I got some food for ya.

Ruby sent it over.

Oh, hey, I saw an ultrasound today --

you know, of the baby.

Poor thing looks just like melon.

Okay, then.

Well, I'm just gonna go home.

I'll be sittin' by my phone in case you need me.

Okay.

Oh!

Oh, god, mama!

Oh, mama!

Oh, there.

That's fine.

Wonderful.

Let's see the back.

Oh

you are so beautiful!

Oh, mama!

Hey, Hank.

Look, man, I just wanted to say, um

I mean

hey, buddy,

I got in the middle of something that I didn't understand.

Leanna's with you --

I see that.

And I see how it's all wrapped up in her music.

I mean, it's her safety net.

I pushed her.

I was wrong to do it.

Doo doo doo doo

bluebird

doo doo doo doo doo-doo-doo doo-doo

mm-hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm

hmm hmm hmm mm-hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm

I --

Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm-mm-mm-hmm-hmm-hmm

Hank?

What are you doin'?

I just thought we might kick out some jams.

You and me?!

Sure, why not?

Oh, I don't think so.

Leanna, I'm tryin' here.

You haven't played in so long.

Well, I know how the music -- it's your safety net.

You don't know the first thing about not bein' safe.

You know, I've been doin' a lot of thinking

about what I could have done,

what I could have done different,

about all the things that I screwed up.

I mean, I could think of

a thousand things I could probably apologize for.

Where I keep getting hung up is, I-I thought

you wanted me to take care of everything

and leave you to the music.

Now I just don't know.

Oh, it's not that simple and you know it.

I don't know anything anymore.

I mean, nothing you're doin' makes any sense.

What do you want me to do?

Just tell me and I'll do it.

Well, I want you to stop comin' up with all the answers.

And I want to go back on the road.

Okay.

And I want Bobby back in the band.

Donny's a good guitar --

it's the best we've ever sounded, and you know it.

You've got to trust me, Hank.

What I did was wrong.

I shouldn't have hurt you that way,

and I am truly sorry.

But I didn't get there all by myself.

And one more thing.

Hmm?

You play that thing again,

we're gonna have to have it put down.

Well, you always did have the gift.

Oh, yeah --

the gift of gettin' in my own way!

I always made sure I had somebody else to blame for it.

Oh, well, men can be handy for that.

All I know is god dealt me a hand of cards,

and that's what I've got to work with.

Well, havin' a hand to play and knowin' what to do with it --

that's two different things.

Knowin' what you cando, and wantin'to do it --

that's a whole otherthing.

There's my ride. I'll see ya.

Get in. Lets go.

Hey.

Whoa!

Franklin, get on your hat.

We're goin' to town.

You mean uptown?

I mean Peter mcnallyuptown.

It's time we set him straight on a thing or two.

Come on.

Got a crazy, restless feelin'

I cannot be consoled

got an itchy urge to up and run

I think I've lost control

like Elvis and his hound dog

in a deep fog, I keep runnin' after you

uh-huh

I thought I'd been in love before

but before doesn't matter anymore

anymore

I've got that

runaway feelin'

I could grab you up and just run off

footloose and fancy-free

yeah, that thought's appealin'

and that runaway feeling's

lettin' my feelings run away with me

run away with it, boys

whoo!

Got that runaway feelin'

I could grab you up and just run off

footloose and fancy-free

yeah, that thought's appealin'

and that runaway feeling's

lettin' my feelings run away with me

I got that runaway feelin'

run away!

Runway feelin', run away

runaway feelin'

won't you run away with me?

Runaway feelin', run away

runaway feelin', run away

runaway feelin'

won't you run away with me?

Thank you very much.

No, thank you.

Whoa!

Thank you, thank you! You all stay put.

We will be right back.

Now, that was fun!

Hey, thank you for being my guitar player.

Thank you for havin' me.

It's good to be back.

Hey, Leanna, the baby kicked through the whole set!

Oh, did it?

I think I got a little dancer in here.

Thank you so much!

Well, what did ido?

I want to be a mom now, and I really want to be good at it.

You gave me that.

You're gonna be a great little mama.

Thank you.

Hey, there, Leanna!

I got some good news for you, sweetheart.

What might that be?

Well, let me tell you --

I don't know where the divine intercession came from,

but McNally called.

It seems he's changed his mind.

He wants you to call him -- direct line.

Wow! Yeah, we'll call -- first thing.

Good. Let me buy you all a round.

You get the biggest news in your career,

and you're at a bar too cheap for champagne!

Come on, baby. Let's go.

Honey, you know this is gonna have to wait till we get home.

Why?

What if we call and he wants to see you right away?

We got two more weeks on the road.

What are we going to tell the boys?

Oh, Hank, don't do this to me.

Fine. I just didn't figure you'd be one of those singers

who gets their big shot -- forgets who got them there.

I'm not forgettin' anybody -- or anything.

Gimme a kiss.

Well, nobody ever accused me of good timin'.

I guess that's why

I could never play an instrument worth a damn.

So I'm probably about to make the biggest damn fool of myself,

but some things are just too important to keep private.

Honey, I can't make you a star

but I can giveyou one.

This is for you.

Now, this is yours, no matter what you say.

You deserve it -- and more.

Hank, I --

no, no, please, don't say anything either way --

excuse me.

Unless you're sure

because once you say well, it's for good,

Well, I guess we better hit the road, huh?

We have to be in macon by 3:00.

I'm just gonna finish my soda.

Ever noticed

how it's theirweaknesses wind up definin' you?

Honey, you take your time with your drink.

Please tell me you see what he's up to this time.

Yeah.

But you got to love him for tryin'.

I'll leave that to you.

Trouble is, I never saw myself as havin' any real options.

You've always had choices.

Yeah, but I had it all mixed up.

It was never about findin' the right man.

It was about findin' the right way.

That sounds like a country song to me.

Thelma, I ain't waitin' all day.

Okay.

Oh!

Man!

She took the car!

Oh, man!

She left this on the table.

I don't believe that!

Young Leanna: Daddy, stop!

Aaah!

Daddy, stop!

Don't you tell me -- she's mine!

No!

-She does what I tell her! -Mama!

No! No!

Daddy, stop!

Next time you raise your hand to me,

you better kill me,

'cause if you don't, it'll be the last thing you ever do. -I'm sorry!

How sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost

but now I'm found

was blind

but now I see

Leanna?

I'd like to introduce you to the dobsons.

Leanna, we understand you have quite a little voice, honey.

Thank you.

Leanna, honey

you know how god sometimes answers prayers

in ways we just don't understand?

Well, the dobsons got a little church in Nashville.

They sometimes help people out.

Y-You can sing.

Why, sure she can!

And you can do chores for them

until you get a job.

And there's the ywca, where you can get a safe bed

for not much money.

Come on.

Let's get your things.

Every year

I give a sermon on forgiveness.

And every year, after the sermon,

I go into my office, and I look up to god.

And I say, god, please don't take me off of this earth

till I learn how to forgive.

'Cause, one day, when I give that sermon

I want to know

what the hell it is I'm talking about.

And?

I'll be 83 next month.

Mama?

Mama?

Mama?

Leanna, I'm so happy to see you!

Oh, let's go.

What did you say your name is?

Leanna Taylor.

Man: I'll see you tomorrow.

Woman: All right. Bye.

Leanna, you haven't changed a bit.

Oh, I'm not so sure about that.

Come on back.

Okay, just relax.

Well, if I get any more relaxed,

I'm gonna slide right off this stool.

Okay, good. When you're ready.

Oh, what do you have for us? What do you call this?

Well, this is a new song. I just wrote this.

It's called blue valley songbird.

All right -- when you're ready.

She was born in a place called blue valley

at the foot of the Tennessee hills

with the bluebirds and bluebells

and blue mountain water

and the sound of the blue whippoorwill

but there was no peace in the valley

her daddy -- a cruel, ruthless man

used and abused her mind and her spirit

so her mama said, run while you can

so at 15, she took to the highway

belongings and guitar in hand

and she buried herself in her music

Ruby here.

Just a moment -- from Mr. McNally.

Ruby, you were right -- pure platinum.

Well, I appreciate that.

See you later.

Thank you so much.

Ye-ha-ha-ha!

She hurts, and her songs are the best way to show it

so the blue valley songbird is traveling around

ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

a blue dress, blue shoes

a blue Cadillac

a band dressed in blue by her side

instruments tied to the top and the back

'cause the blue valley songbird is singin' tonight

one night, as honkey-tonk tears fly on by

she's never made it, but god knows she's tried

expressing the feelings

she holds inside

and the blue valley songbird is singin' tonight

oh, the blue valley songbird is singin' tonight

and she sings like a bird

and she writes like a poet

So long, Leanna.

Good luck.