The rise of a raucous hayseed named Lonesome Rhodes from itinerant Ozark guitar picker to local media rabble-rouser to TV superstar and political king-maker. Marcia Jeffries is the innocent Sarah Lawrence girl who discovers the great man in a back-country jail and is the first to fall under his spell.

Tennessee singing G.I. Verne Brand travels to New York City after his Army discharge. Alongside his buddies, he convinces a former bookie turned record executive to sign him, leading to a massive publicity blitz and attention from socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor. The situation draws Verne's hometown sweetheart, Marietta. to the city just as Verne becomes a television sensation in a high-stakes network ratings battle. Ultimately, Verne chooses his roots over fame, returning to Tennessee with Marietta to open a local recording studio.