The Neon Highway (2024) Movie Script
Well, there she was
at the fruit stand
At the farmers market
Off of Fourth and Main
Selling raspberry
jelly In her right hand
I joked about the jam
Just to catch her name
She said, "You
oughta give it a try"
But, oh, what
really had my eye
Was that local honey
Come on. Let's go.
I'm coming, I'm coming.
There's an awful
lot of people here.
Yeah, I'm sure that's why
they chose this place.
Hey, house band learned
our song. We gotta play it.
We always play together, right?
I won't do this without you.
- Okay.
- All right, all right.
Come on.
I should've known better
Oh, yeah, you
should've known better
- She's real good.
- Don't worry about that.
Just focus on what we're doing.
Should've known better
Yeah, you should've
known better
There they are.
Look.
No, thanks.
Hey, they liked our demo.
- We were at home by ourselves.
- Don't worry about that.
Focus on playing
guitar. I got the rest.
Should've known better
Thank you. Thank you.
Now all the way from
Columbus, Georgia,
give a big ol' Bobby's
welcome to our next victims,
The Collins Brothers.
What do you say?
Close your eyes. Let's go.
What's going on,
Nashville? Evening.
Got a place to lay my head
Got a house and a little yard
Been saving all my money
So I can buy a farm
Breathe in that fresh air Sit
creekside in a beach chair
Let a little outside in
This country boy's heart
I need dirt on my truck
I need dirt on my roads
I need dirt on my boots
I need dirt on my boots
Crops need the rain And
the stars need the sky
But I need some
dirt in my life
Open your eyes.
Dirt on the floorboards
Dirt on the dash
Dirt on my jeans,
dirt on the left
Dirt on the right
I just need a little
dirt in my life
Dirt on my truck I need
dirt on these roads
I need dirt on my boots
Need dirt on my toes
Crops need the rain
And stars need the sky
And I need some
dirt in my life
Thank you, thank you.
You did it, brother.
- I can't believe it.
- I can.
Really loved watching you play.
There's some folks here that would
like to have a little chat with you.
Hey, let it go. We got
work to do. Come on.
Uh, go on. I'll catch up.
Well, hello.
You write that?
Yes, sir, every
note and every word.
- Well, we like your style.
- And your song.
We think we might
be able to sell you.
Come by the office tomorrow.
You bet. What time
you want us there?
You, not him.
Did you see him?
Everybody loved him.
Yes, but he's not what
we're looking for.
We're looking for a singer-songwriter.
We have the best players in the world.
We wrote that song together.
Our legal department will
take care of all that.
The best part of my day
Is when it's through
...to do but kick
off these boots
How'd it go?
They loved it.
I got a meeting with some
guys from a record company.
That's fantastic.
Hey, Ginny!
Wait. Who's that?
Get out of here.
I'm on the phone.
Just Lloyd. I've never
seen him like this before.
Once he got going,
there's no stopping him.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Everything's going great here.
Oh, Wayne.
I love you too.
They did it. They got a meeting.
He called you at this time
of night about a meeting?
Yes. It's a big deal.
And when you hear him on
the radio, you'll see.
If he loses his job,
that will be a big deal.
I thought somebody
died or something.
And you woke the baby.
Mm.
Whoo-hoo-hoo!
I'm a singer and I'm a star
Gonna buy me a Cadillac car
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Oh!
Whoo! Oh, that was amazing.
I had no idea it'd be
like that. I mean...
And we got a record deal.
We don't have a deal.
I've got a meeting.
Don't we have a meeting?
Look, I'll handle it.
What's going on?
They don't want
you. They want me.
Did I... Did I do something wrong?
No, you didn't do anything
wrong. You were great.
Just business is all. I'm
gonna go talk to them.
No, you don't. Let's
go somewhere else.
Not gonna go someplace
else. They made an offer.
I'm gonna go talk to them. Maybe
I can try to work something out.
Lloyd!
Daddy, have you seen my
tennis shoes anywhere?
Your tennis shoes?
Which ones, the pink ones that
light up with those fancy stars?
- Yeah.
- With the speckly purply shoelaces?
- Daddy, yes.
- They're next to the couch.
- Is that where they're supposed to be?
- Thanks.
Hurry up, Angie. The bus
will be here any minute.
- Morning, hon.
- Hi. Morning. Yeah.
- Cereal's on the table.
- Okay.
Hi, Karen.
What? Yes. Everyone
wears a costume.
That's why it's called
a dress rehearsal.
Yes, we have to bring them.
Mnh-mnh-mnh. Sit down,
finish your fruit.
Dad, Dad, my ride's
here. They won't wait.
- What is that?
- I gotta go.
See you before school starts.
The dryer's doing
that thing again.
I think it's done for this
time. This is unbelievable.
I have two more loads of
costumes for the play.
Let me do that.
I hope we don't need a new one.
- Nope, I'll look at it tonight.
- Looking at it won't fix it.
- Love you.
- That won't fix it, either.
Hey, looks like I'm
riding with you today.
- Again?
- Yeah.
Dad says I can learn a lot
from an old pro like you.
Taught you everything
I know yesterday.
- There's...
- Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.
What's up?
I need some overtime
this weekend.
Well, it's Jackson's turn.
Come on, Charley.
You know I gotta
spread it around.
Then you should be paying me
extra for babysitting your kid.
I'll tell you what.
Get him to stop messing
around with that damn guitar.
There's no future in it, Wayne.
You know that
better than anybody.
All right, I didn't
mean it like that.
Just...
he's not any good.
He isn't.
He knows you were. That's why
he wants to ride with you.
Talk to him, I'll
see what I can do.
All right, everyone, listen up.
Pull up your work orders.
You'll see we've got a
busy day in front of us.
What were you and
Dad talking about?
Nothing.
Was it my music?
It was, wasn't it?
I knew it. He just
doesn't get it.
Oh, he gets it, all right.
Do us both a favor and tell
him we talked about it.
EPN Telecom, Mr. Allen?
Mornin'.
Well, come on.
I didn't expect you this early.
Bacon's on the stove,
so give me a minute.
Order says reactivate
the line with Internet.
- Is that right?
- Yeah.
Where's your service?
- My what?
- Your phone jack.
Oh, over by the
chifforobe, I think.
I'm sorry for the mess. Just
move whatever you need to.
Don't matter.
Here, get rid of this.
Man, look at this cool guitar.
Huh?
It's got a bird
on the pick guard.
Don't touch nothing.
That's Johnny Cash.
And that's Merle Haggard.
And that is this guy.
Robert C. Allen.
He's Claude Allen.
Damn it!
Whoa! Whoa!
Well, that's a dead soldier.
Are you Claude Allen?
How about stirring them grits?
I got plenty here.
Coffee's about ready.
You boys are welcome to join me.
Uh, no, thank you.
Oh, I'm Bob, and
this here is Wayne.
Glad to meet you.
What are you doing way out here?
Oh, this was my folks' place.
Been empty for years.
Thought I'd move back for a while, kind of
whip it into shape, maybe get a few cows.
You playing any shows
while you're here?
No, I'm taking some time off.
Well, man, I can't wait to
tell my daddy you're out here.
I wish you wouldn't.
Let's just keep it a
secret amongst us chickens.
Okay.
How's that going?
Good.
You know...
I used to play around
here all the time.
Lulu's Lookout. I think
that's the name of the place.
Mm, yeah. Place closed down.
Now it's a parking deck.
Oh, that was a hell of a place.
Yeah, in fact, the last
night I played there,
old Red Ramus quit the band.
Some guy was razzing him
about being a lousy fiddler,
which he was.
And then Red said something about the
guy's girlfriend having a horse face,
which she did,
and, oh, my goodness,
they were at it.
It was on like a couple of dogs.
Next morning, we bailed
old Red out of jail.
He was madder than
a wet rooster.
Said he'd had enough.
He went back to Texas.
Well, last I heard, he made
a million selling hot tubs.
Must be nice.
Mm-hmm. He still
can't play the fiddle.
Bob, why don't you run to the
truck and grab a 320 modem?
Bob!
- What?
- 320. Go.
Well, let me know if
you need anything.
She's a beauty, ain't she?
Used to belong to Duane Eddy.
I'd appreciate you
closing her back up.
Yes, sir. I... Mr. Allen,
I... I'm sorry. I...
I've just... I've never seen
one of these in person before.
Oh, you must play.
Yeah. Yes, sir, I used to.
Me and my brother used to...
We played Nashville
a little bit.
Mm. Covers or original?
Mostly original.
Play the Ace of Clubs?
No.
- Forty-One.
- No, sir.
Well, you had to have played
the Music City Lounge.
I can't say we did.
Well, do me a big favor and
don't touch nothing else.
We played Bobby's.
Bobby's Bar?
Once.
Oh, you had to know what you
were doing to play there.
What happened?
It didn't work out.
Why not?
We got in a wreck.
Oh.
Kid brother, Lloyd, he, uh...
It didn't work out.
Well, I'll tell you what.
It's dangerous
living on the road.
Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly.
There have been a
whole bunch of them.
Odds are something's
bound to happen.
Hell, I don't know how we
survived that old school bus
we traveled around in.
We tore out all the seats
and jammed a bunch of
them recliners in there.
They used to slide around like bumper
cars every time we made a turn.
Oh, hey.
Try this one out.
No, uh...
Oh, go ahead.
Come on.
If it's in your soul,
it don't go away.
Yeah, Bob, why don't you
go ahead and finish up?
Yeah.
Play me one of yours.
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls
I come alive when they hit
me With them bright lights
That's the kind of
rush I'm looking for
Go on. Keep going.
Longneck lies And
smoke-filled barrooms
Fits me like a pair
of broken boots
Living this life
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
Troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
The only way I know to
do it Is to do it my way
Living a dream
on a neon highway
I'm a little rusty. I haven't
touched a guitar in a while.
I, uh... I thank you, though.
We're all finished up here.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
It sure was nice to
meet you, Mr. Allen.
I play too. I'm actually
learning right...
Real good, son.
You keep at it.
That's just what
the world needs.
Another picker.
- Come look.
- Let me see.
"We are pleased to inform
you that you've been accepted
into the Summer High School Honors
Program at the University of Tennessee."
- Thataboy.
- Oh, Meemaw will be so excited.
- Let's give her a call.
- Okay, let's go.
Ah!
Ah!
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls
I come alive when they hit
me With them bright lights
That's the kind of
rush I'm looking for
Smoke-filled bars and long...
Good to hear you sing again.
Don't. Play some more.
Waste of time.
Wayne.
Hey.
Everything okay?
Yeah.
Throw that away.
Hey, um...
So I've been thinking.
Some of my friends got jobs as
counselors at camp this summer.
Maybe I should go with them.
What do you think?
I think you're going to
UT. That's what I think.
I don't... I'm not...
I'm not sure I want to.
Well, I want you to go.
I want you to go. And you got
a hell of an opportunity here.
You're not missing that.
You're going.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Now help me haul this thing
to the street, will you?
Okay.
Well, howdy.
Something up with my phone?
No, no, question for you.
Okay.
Was my song any good?
Yeah, sure.
Would you want to buy it?
I'm retired from that racket.
There ain't nothing I can do for
you. But thanks for stopping by.
Oh, well, look, I'm sorry, Mr. Allen,
but I can't let it go that easy.
Do you... Do you know anyone
that might want to buy it?
Can you help me get a cut?
Oh, I see.
Come on in.
Son, when I said I
was retired, I lied.
They retired me.
I'm about as useful to
them as a flat tire.
You're a legend.
When's the last time you
heard me on the radio?
This business is
a bitter mistress.
Oh, that's fine, thank you.
It'll take what you got.
And with no warning at all
run off to the next thing.
Don't matter if it's any good.
Just gotta be new.
I'm not complaining.
I had my day.
I don't have any money.
What you see here
is all that's left.
I... I wish I could, but there's
nothing I can do for you.
But, hey, you wrote
a damn good song.
Ain't many people that
can pull that off.
That's... That's what's important.
All the rest is bullshit.
Thank you, Mr. Allen.
Call me Claude.
Thank you, Claude.
Sometimes when
I'm feeling low
There's a little place I go
Where the neon lights
Make the world seem bright
And that Southern
Comfort flows
All it takes is
a couple of shots
Good morning. Right on time.
Ha-ha. I like that.
I want to show you something.
Come on in.
- Hmm?
- Come on.
Stand right there.
Better acoustics.
Yeah, give it a
little Elvis echo.
Ah, hold on.
She always needs a little love.
You know, this old boy
told me a long time ago,
"Son, you don't want to
listen to your head."
Listen to your gut.
Closer to your heart.
"And let the soul come through."
Interesting, huh?
Yeah, just let the
song come to you.
Hmm.
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls
I come alive when they hit
me With them bright lights
That's the kind of
rush I'm looking for
Longneck lies,
smoke-filled barrooms
Fit me like a pair
of broken boots
Now here's the modulation on
the chorus I came up with.
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my song
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rocking the house
down all night long
Only way I know to do
it Is to do it my way
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Well, you get the idea.
Well, it ain't a hobby.
Oh, don't you worry, son.
It's still your song.
I just made it better.
Well, you're welcome.
There you go.
Mmm.
Hey, you want some?
What am I supposed to do now?
Drink up.
I'm not talking
about the coffee.
I know what you're
talking about.
I've, uh... I've done
what I know how to do.
Now it's up to you.
You know what?
I have an idea.
About buying the song?
Goodness, no.
I'm going to take it to
Nashville, record it myself.
Just about everyone in that town
owes me something one way or another.
So I'm calling in the favors.
I can do this for
next to nothing.
I'll make a deal with a label,
get it out there on the radio.
It's a straight-up business
deal between me and you.
We split everything 50/50.
You serious?
As a train wreck.
Well, come on, what
do you got to lose?
I suppose I could try to
get some time off work.
Well, to tell you the truth, it
might be better if I go it alone.
Between the lawyers, managers,
and all the rest of them leeches,
having you around might
just muddy the waters.
No.
I'm going.
Or no deal.
Oh, I see.
Well, let's make it legal.
You haven't even told
Charley, have you?
Nope, and I don't have to.
I'm owed sick days anyhow.
But what if he finds out?
What are we going to do?
Well, he won't.
You know, hearing you sing
again was wonderful, okay?
After all these years, it
was real emotional for me.
And I would love to hear more,
but to just pick up and go to
Nashville with some ol' has-been
that everybody thinks
is dead is ridiculous.
He's not a has-been.
Just been taking some
time off, that's all.
For 25 years?
He knows everybody in the
industry. He's calling in favors.
It's not gonna be
like last time.
Not a good tactic
to bring that up.
I will never, ever get
another chance like this.
I know it's crazy.
At least it's a shot.
I'm going to Nashville.
Me and Claude are
recording my song.
And if it sells, it can mean a
hell of a lot of money for us.
Those are dirty.
You know I've always
loved your music.
But I love you more.
Just get back before
Charley finds out.
Love you.
Don't open that. That's illegal.
Not anymore.
- How you doing on gas?
- Just fine. Why?
'Cause I'm running on empty.
There's plenty of stores
along the interstate.
Be faster anyhow.
No, I know ol' 41
better than my playlist.
Miami to Michigan.
I played every joint on this highway
that's big enough to have a neon sign.
Have you done that?
Now, you want my help, shut up.
Oh, that radio don't work.
You need to get that fixed.
Waste of money.
No, it ain't. That's
what it's all about.
If you ain't on that
radio, you ain't nothing.
That's the prize we're after.
That's why I said all this up.
What... What did you set up?
Oh.
Don't you worry. I got
it all figured out.
I'll be making some
calls when we get there.
I'll tell you what.
How about you make
some calls right now?
Right now?
Right now. It's
still business hours.
Okay.
That's not the way it's done.
But if it'll make you
happy, what the hell?
Studio Sandy. How
may I help you?
Mornin', hon. Hook me
up with the old man.
Old man?
Skitch.
Skitch?
Yeah, Skitch.
One moment please.
Listen to that.
You hear them snaps
on beats two and four?
They're as irritating
as somebody popping gum.
This crap's like cotton candy.
Mostly nothing, and you're
still hungry when it's done.
That's what's selling, isn't it?
That's why they
call it "Cashville."
Nobody gives a rat's ass
about nothing except money.
I'm sorry.
There doesn't seem to
be a Mr. Skitch here.
Never mind.
I ain't wasting no more
time talking to idiots
who don't even know
their boss' nickname.
From here on out,
we do it my way.
Got it?
Good.
I'm glad we cleared that up.
Well, I think we're... I
think we're near Ring...
I think we're near
Ringgold, yeah.
Yeah, I know where we
are. Take that next right.
My throat's drier
than a popcorn fart.
Oh, yeah.
Huh? Oh, come on.
Watch this.
Hi, there, beautiful.
Hey. What can I get you?
Whiskey straight
up, two of them.
Coming right up.
Aren't you...
Yes, ma'am. What's
your name, hon?
Me? Rosie.
Well, Rosie, we are a couple
of dry, weary troubadours
in need of refreshment,
not only of spirit, but of soul.
Yes, sir, Mr. Allen.
Oh, call me Claude.
- I went a little heavy on yours.
- Oh.
No.
Oh, well, thank you, brother.
Mmm.
Ahh.
Howdy, boys.
It's an honor to be in your
personal den of iniquity.
Peace. Peace.
What you got there,
sister? Come on.
Oh, yeah. Claude loves you.
There it is. Oh, yeah.
How about you, young lady?
Would you like something...
Are you anybody?
No, ma'am.
Well, that'll be 12 bucks, then.
He's still got it, don't he?
Let's hope so.
Good to see you guys.
Hey.
You hear that?
Yeah.
Music City.
It's in the air.
Whoever that is,
that's pretty good.
Good ain't good enough.
Yeah, hold your horses.
Hold your horses.
Hold your horses.
Evening.
If you wouldn't mind
filling this out right here.
Don't forget to put your
license plate number on there.
Checkout is noon.
If you need some ice, it's that little
rinky-dink machine right out there.
Did you wash the
sheets this time?
Oh, my God, Claude, is that you?
'Fraid so.
Where the heck have
you been? Good gosh.
- I've been around.
- Oh, my gosh.
What are you doing here? I
thought you were in Oklahoma.
Well, I was, but that old girl,
she left me for a guy that
owns a funeral parlor.
And if you ask me, I think
she did it for the free makeup
that they use on
the dead people.
And God knows she
could use it, too.
Then Pepper calls
me up and she said
why don't I come back here and
help her run the place, so...
Where is that beautiful
sister of yours?
She went to the store here,
you know. She'll be back.
- My God, it's great to see you.
- Good to see you, too.
Oh, Ray, this here's
Wayne Collins.
Hey, Wayne. How you doing, sir?
- Good to see you.
- Good to see you.
So tell me, what you
doing back in town?
Hmm.
I'm getting back in the game.
Oh, it's about time. Come on, now.
You ain't kidding me, are you?
Nope, nope, nope, nope. I
got... Well, we got a song.
He and his brother made
the rounds a few years ago.
Used to play at Bobby's.
Oh! Well, I can't say
that I remember you,
but I don't remember
much of anything anyhow.
If you got a room to spare we'd
like to hole up here for a while.
Well, I got 12 rooms
and 12 vacancies,
so I think I can squeeze
you in here somewhere.
What an honor to have you
here. Just like old times.
Well, this is business, so you go
ahead and charge us the full rate.
No, sir. No, sirree, Bob.
When people find out you're staying here,
they're gonna flock in from everywhere.
So you stay as long as you want.
And you don't owe
me one thin dime.
Well, thank you,
Ray. God love you.
Nothing better than old friends.
Even the ugly ones.
I'll be darned.
Good. Hot water cleared up.
Hey, hey, easy, easy. Hey,
hey, try the other one.
You know, when, uh, Ray and
Pepper's folks built it,
this was the best place
this side of town.
Then the new
interstate opened up.
They ought to sell the damn
thing, but nobody'd buy it.
How'd y'all meet?
Well, back in the
day, she sang backup.
He played in my band. He
was a pretty decent picker.
By God, it is you.
There's not never a time
I'm not glad to see you.
My goodness, look at you.
You are a sight for
these sorry old eyes.
Oh, come here.
- Ha!
- Well, who's this?
Wayne Collins, ma'am.
Real nice to meet you.
- What are you up to, old man?
- Well...
Let me guess. Picker,
singer, songwriter?
Well, used to be. Work
for a telecom company now.
Well, that's good, honey.
Keep your wits about you.
Don't let this busker
steer you wrong.
Yes, ma'am.
Y'all come on up for
a visit after a while.
Get yourselves settled in.
- Okay.
- Okay, okay.
I should've married that girl.
Why didn't you?
I couldn't after
what she said to me.
I'll bite.
What'd she say?
She said, "Pack your shit
and get out of here."
Leaving my poor
darling all alone
All alone
With the cold prison
bars All around me
A-ha!
And my head on a
pillow of stone
Now if I had the
wings of an angel
Over these prison
walls I would fly
I'd fly to the
arms of my darling
And there I'd be willing
To die
Ahhhh-hoo!
Yeah, baby.
It is just so great having y'all
here. I can't even tell you about it.
Oh, my Lord. You see
this guy right here?
He's the best damn country
singer there ever was.
And I mean ever. Ain't
nobody better than him.
Well, I'll drink to
that even though I know
you're the best damn
liar in the world.
I mean it.
You think back about 20
years ago, there ain't nobody
that had more songs on the radio
than this guy right here, period.
Yeah, that was more
like 40 years ago.
Man, bet y'all had a good time.
You're dadgum right we did.
Big time.
Oh, my God.
Remember that time we
went up to Pittsburgh
and you didn't think any of
them Yankees were gonna show up?
By the time we got there, the
place was completely sold out.
I mean, standing room only.
Yeah, like nobody's business.
And when we finished,
nobody wanted to leave.
It was like that
everywhere we went.
I ain't kidding you there, you know?
Come on, let's play another song.
I got one. I got one
here. Watch this.
Yeah. Okay.
If the ocean was
whiskey And I was a duck
I'd swim to the bottom
And never come up
- Uh-oh. Save the guitar!
- Oh, Lord.
There you go. Let me
get his feet here.
Come on, get up here.
There you go. You
just take it easy.
Whew.
Claude, you know I love you.
But you do bring out the
worst in some people.
Morning.
Morning.
Morning. Man, I already
said that, didn't I?
Sorry. Hey, ain't you that fella,
uh, staying with Mr. Allen?
Well, I mean, you gotta be right.
You just came out of his room.
He is in that room,
right? He's in there?
- Yep, yep.
- Yeah. Wow.
Man, I cannot believe Claude
Allen is staying here.
He's staying here. Claude
Allen's staying here.
I stay here too.
I live here too.
And I work here too.
My name is Elton.
- Right, Elton.
- Wow. Boy.
I bet you must be something
if you're playing with him.
I mean, he is a piece of living
history, you know, a legend.
He might be the last one left.
- Okay, Elton?
- Yes, sir.
Where can I get some coffee?
Coffee?
- Oh, coffee?
- Yeah.
Oh, Pepper.
Pepper... Pepper has coffee.
Pepper has coffee right
there, right in that office.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
- Thanks, bud.
- Yeah.
- Morning.
- Yeah, morning. Morning.
Man.
Ain't that something?
Morning.
Good morning.
Boy, do I need some of this.
I can make a fresh pot.
Oh, no, this is...
This is just fine.
How's, uh... How's Ray?
Still passed out
where we left him.
How long has this guy
been working for you?
A few months.
He showed up one night offering to work
for a place to park his old camper.
He had a fiddle in his hand,
so Ray couldn't say no.
Oh.
We hid it out back.
Thought it'd scare people off.
He's not much good at anything,
but when he picks
up that fiddle...
Hmm!
I think we heard him play
last night. Not half bad.
A lot of things around here
burn bright in the night,
then the sun comes up.
Well, makes me glad
I'm here with Claude.
You got a family?
Yes, ma'am. Wife, two kids.
Tell you what.
You stay here a few days,
get it out of your system.
Then go on home and forget it.
I've been here before.
Not so easy to forget.
Well, I wish you both luck.
So what's Claude's plan?
Oh, Lord only knows. Guess
I'll find out when he wakes up.
Go wake him up.
Get!
- Now! Get!
- Yes, ma'am.
Hey, wake up, man. Pepper
wants to talk to you.
- Come on.
- Huh?
What for?
Uh, Mr. Allen?
Get away from there!
Come on, Pepper. I got a plan.
What?
We record a demo, then take
it to Southlane Records.
It's that simple? Really?
- Well, there are a few details.
- Who do you know at Southlane?
Bob Wells. You remember old Bob.
I remember Bob
Wells, for God sakes.
He retired, gotta
be ten years ago.
I'll take it to PZE.
No, you won't either.
They don't even exist.
First you gotta make a demo.
Where are you going to do that?
You ain't set
nothing up, have you?
I called Studio Sandy
yesterday. You saw me.
You didn't talk to nobody.
That girl didn't know nothing.
Besides, I'm better in person.
I'll call Skitch again today.
Skitch done merged
with Buck Bates.
- Not Buck.
- Yep.
Well, I'll deal with Skitch.
No, you won't. He don't
even come in there anymore.
Buck runs the whole
shebang by himself.
Everything you know
isn't that way anymore.
You might want to consider
going home right now.
Hell no. We got a great song.
That's all that matters.
I'll think of something.
Come on, Wayne,
we got work to do.
Remember, it's your
song. Keep an eye on him.
Damn right it's my song.
I hope we did the right thing.
Lord only knows.
- Lord only knows.
- Yeah.
I don't remember so many steps.
You sure this is
the right place?
Okay, okay.
I'm just saying, it seems like a
weird place for a studio is all.
What'd you expect, Studio B?
Quit asking so many questions.
Now do exactly what I say.
But we're...
How many deals you put
together in this town?
Don't say nothing.
I got this.
Mornin', darlin'.
Sit over there.
Yes? May I help you?
Well, aren't you a pretty thing?
- I'm here to see Buck.
- Do you have an appointment?
- No, don't need one.
- I'm sorry.
- But without an appointment, I'm afraid...
- Cut the crap, lady.
There's no need to be rude.
Sister, I'm lucky
to be housebroken.
Tell Buck Claude Allen is here.
Oh, Mr. Allen.
I'll let him know right away.
I said sit over there.
Mr. Bates, Claude Allen
is here to see you.
Mr. Bates says he'll
be right with you.
Can I get you a coffee or tea?
No, thanks, no.
Claude Allen.
Hey, stranger. So
good to see you.
Oh, good to see you too,
Buck. How's business?
Well, I can't complain.
He with you?
- Nope, don't know him at all.
- Oh.
Take a seat and somebody'll
be with you in a minute.
Come on back. How
long has it been?
It's so good to see
you, uh, out and about.
I'll bet it's been 20 years...
To get me through
the night so long
My baby done done me wrong
And I need a place to hide
Now I'm here with
a broken heart
Love wasn't what...
You should have told
me you were in town.
I really don't have much time,
but, uh, so nice of you to drop by.
- Oh, thank you.
- So how's... How's the family?
They're all dead, Buck.
But that don't matter.
I got something here, and I
want to make you part of it.
Claude.
This song is as good as
anything I ever recorded.
It can't lose.
You know one isn't
enough anymore.
I got more, a lot more,
enough for a whole damn album.
Let me talk to Skitch.
He can smell a hit.
Skitch isn't here. I am.
Okay, I want to make
you part of this deal.
You know, I could have taken
it anywhere but didn't.
I came to you.
You need a hit.
Well, so do I.
What's the deal?
I need studio time
to make a demo.
What's in it for me?
Once we sign with a label, I'll come
back here and you'll produce it.
Uh...
Well...
We're booked solid for
the next few weeks.
But I might be able to work
you in tomorrow at 4:00.
Oh.
It'll be just like
the good old days.
I'll need at least
three hours and backup.
Two hours. Get your own backup.
You won't regret it, Buck.
This is a bullet.
I can feel it in my bones.
See you later, darling.
Hope not.
Open up.
Sorry about cutting you out.
That's just the
way it went down.
I'm part of this
too, remember? 50/50.
Yeah, 50/50.
Just making sure.
Hey, I got us a
session for free.
It's about the only good deal I
ever got out of that lying jackass.
Oh, by the way, you got
more songs, don't you?
Yeah.
Good.
Leopold's, the best.
Peace, brother.
Love their strawberry.
I don't drink
'Cause I know my mind
And every time I do
I just think...
- Been here before?
- No.
Well, pay attention. You
might learn something.
Whiskey on the rocks.
So what do you think?
He's killing it.
Not him. Watch the drummer.
That's Max Attaway. Used
to play for me years ago.
Rest of them are some of the
best session guys in town.
They've been together a long time.
They're about as tight as it gets.
I don't drink
'Cause I know my mind
And every time I do
I just think about
what you're doing
And who you're doing it to
I don't take no pills
to kill the pain
They ain't never
told me the truth
I don't smoke
'Cause I'll never get high
enough To get over you
I don't smoke
'Cause I'll never get high
enough To get over you
Yeah
All right
Thank y'all.
If y'all like what you're
hearing, check out my CD,
"Lamont Johnson
Sings the Classics."
And speaking of classics, y'all,
Mr. Claude Allen just
walked in the building.
Hey, Claude, why don't
you come up and join us.
You know him?
Hell, I can't remember.
But in this business,
we're one big happy family.
Sounds like you're up.
Sit down.
Come on!
Sorry, folks, I'm honored,
but I'm a bit under
the weather tonight.
But I got another idea. This
here's my backup singer.
Lamont, old buddy,
let's give him a shot.
Come on up.
You show 'em how it's done.
Y'all know "My
Heart Is Bleeding"?
- We got you.
- All right, I got you.
Fall in.
My heart is bleeding
My lungs are drowning
My baby's on fire...
Hit me again. Make it a double.
I soiled the bed
Yeah, man, that
there's the truth
Heh.
Lord grant me forgiveness
Oh, for what I done wrong
How many you need, Claude?
- I'll go with what I got.
- Max?
I'll take three.
Just one, Pops.
Uh, two for me.
Dealer gets one.
Listen, boys, uh, I
need a little help.
Uh, I got a new song, and I
need some backup to make a demo.
When?
This afternoon at 4:00.
I ain't doing it
unless it's union.
What is scale these days?
About triple what it was
last time you did anything.
Well, it's my bet, boys.
Five bucks.
I'll see your five.
All right, I'll take five.
And then I'll raise you 15.
How about that?
This game's a little
bit too rich-blooded.
I fold.
I'll see your $20
and raise you ten.
All right, there's your
ten. What do you got?
Three little ladies.
Three old hags, more like.
Hello?
Hey, Gin.
Wayne? Are you okay?
Yeah. Been a long
day, but good one.
We booked a studio for the demo
and now we're lining up musicians.
At 3:30 in the morning?
Yeah, they work late.
Anything from Charley?
Just a text.
He asked if you're
okay. I said yes.
Thank goodness he didn't
ask how sick you are.
Oh, good.
Hang on a second.
I can get these
boys on the cheap,
but I need more cash.
How much you got?
That's good.
That's all I got!
Ain't you got a credit card?
- I'll have to call you back.
- O... Okay.
All right, boys, here's $120.
Let's play another round
of straight poker, Max,
just you and me.
You win, you boys
split the money.
I win, you still split the
money, but I get my backup.
Straight poker, nothing wild?
Yeah.
All right. Deal 'em
up. Deal 'em up.
I feel good.
Well, Claude,
your little ladies seem
to like the look of me,
'cause here they are.
You win.
That's it for me.
I'm out of here.
Yeah, have to get home
before the rooster crows.
I'll come to the
studio. Which one is it?
To tell you the truth,
I don't need a singer.
But you be careful driving home.
The hell was that? You lost.
Huh! These boys are union.
Even if I did win,
that's not enough to pay
'em for a coffee break.
Don't worry.
I'm playing the sympathy
card here. They'll be there.
Lamont won't be.
Because he's too damn good.
I don't need that.
Can I go home, Claude?
Oh, yeah.
I would've left you a bigger
tip, but they got all my money.
You've never tipped me as
long as I've known you.
Get the hell outta here.
Be glad to.
Afternoon!
Yeah.
Afternoon.
Well, you're still alive.
Barely.
Where'd you guys go last night?
Shorty's.
Claude got in a poker game.
I hope he didn't lose your car.
Nah, just all my cash.
But he did to get a bunch of guys
together for the session, so there's that.
He's something.
Yes, he is.
But to tell you the truth, it's
hard on me when he shows up.
Ah.
Ray starts acting like he's 19.
I start reminiscing.
Hell, it was 40 years ago.
Wow.
Sometimes it feels
like yesterday.
Hey, I know Ray said you guys
could stay as long as you want.
How much longer do
you think you'll need?
I imagine we'll probably
be done tonight.
No. Never mind. Let's
call it an investment.
You sure?
Yeah, I'm sure.
It's a good song.
Thank you.
Mr. Allen! Mr. Allen!
See? Nobody's here.
I'm sorry, Mr. Allen.
I was about to give you
guys up. Is it just you two?
There's three more joining us.
They'd better hurry up. You're
half an hour in already.
- Well, we just got here.
- The schedule doesn't know that.
- Sorry I'm late.
- Where is everybody?
What'd you expect?
But they took all my money.
You mean all my money.
Yeah, well, you lost the bet.
Well, doesn't matter.
Let's just get to work.
Wayne, can you play bass?
Nope. I can fake it.
There's a studio bass
right over there.
God love you, Max.
I hope so.
No one else does.
I know you still
got it, little girl.
Show me the way.
What are you doin' here?
Max convinced me.
I told you I don't
need a singer.
He's the only one that
would come, Claude.
So shut up, thank him,
and show us the song.
All right, just sit over
there, out of the way.
You know what? Let's
just go and do it.
Taking too long.
Let's just do it.
Okay, count us
down. Count us down.
Can we just try one... Ask him
if we can just do one more.
One more, please.
Hold it, hold it! Okay,
here's where I want to push.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.
Let's take it again.
- Lamont!
- Here we go. Right away. Go.
You're kidding.
They've been at it for two hours
and we haven't recorded anything.
What do you want me to do?
Hold it, hold it, hold it! Okay!
There he goes again.
And when I get to the
last line of the bridge,
Max, do a drum lick.
And, Lamont, stop humming!
Man, he's humming 'cause
you need some harmonies.
You need some silence.
I got you this far.
Keep your mouth shut and your
bowels open, and you'll live longer.
Yeah, Claude, but he was
right. You need both of those.
Okay, come on, get us
going. Let's get us going.
Two, three, four.
Shinin' like the
stars up in the sky
Just want to see my
name On the marquee sign
Living' the dream
on a neon highway...
You put anything down yet?
No.
A troubadour on a dive bar...
Where'd he get the song?
I think the guy playing
the bass wrote it.
Anybody here for
the next session?
Trey and Eddie ought to be.
Send 'em in.
Lamont, this ain't your rodeo.
Drop it down a notch!
Wayne, this is your
song. He's ruining it.
What now?
Sorry, guys. We're here
for the next session.
They told us to come
on in and help out.
Oh, my God. Are
you Claude Allen?
I thought you were...
My grandmother loves you.
I can't wait to
tell her I met you.
I gotta take a piss.
Hey. Don't take it personal.
- He's that way to everybody.
- I always heard he was an asshole.
- I don't need this.
- Come on, stick around.
You know Lamont,
and that's Wayne.
This is his song, not Claude's.
Here, play it for him, man.
No, I'm not touching
Claude's guitar.
It'll only take a minute.
Come on, man, we gotta
get this thing recorded.
I got a gig tonight.
Living this dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
Only way I know to do
it Is to do it my way
Okay, boys, I got this.
Give it to me.
I said give her to me.
He's got the bass.
You sit this one out.
Lamont, I want to hear you more.
You and I are gonna
sound good together.
You start us off.
Max, count us in.
Two, three, four.
- What?
- They're about done.
- How is it?
- It's great. Really good.
Make sure to get Claude
to sign for the session.
Will do.
Well done, darlin'.
That was great.
- Yes, it was.
- Felt like we nailed it.
Thanks, guys. Let's grab a beer.
- I'm in.
- Cool.
Mr. Allen! I need you
to sign this invoice.
Buck and I have an agreement.
Yeah, for two hours.
Uh, you went a
little bit over five.
I'll give you that and
only charge you for three.
Uh, with the session guys,
it brings it up to $5,635.
That son of a bitch.
Oh, Wayne.
You wrote a hell of a song.
Sorry you got cut out.
No, it's all right.
You made it way better.
- Appreciate it.
- You're a great singer.
Let's do it again.
See you across the street.
- Yeah.
- All right. Later.
Hey! Hey, wait a minute.
I can't give you the recording
unless you sign this.
I ain't paying for that!
But you needed them.
I was trying to help.
Bullshit! You're
running up the bill.
You ain't never gonna
change. You lying...
- You're the one who's not gonna change.
- ...sleazy mother...
- Come on.
- Hey!
- I'm trying to help you out.
- Get your hands off me!
And this guy.
This guy trusts you with
that great song of his.
- Am I right?
- About what?
It's your song. You
wrote it, didn't you?
Yeah.
Except...
Except what?
My brother and I co-wrote it.
He's dead. What
difference does it make?
No, he's not. He's not dead.
I haven't seen him in
years, but he's not dead.
You should have told me that.
I figured it didn't make a difference.
I'll split my half with him.
Here you go.
- Hey, give me that, Claude.
- Fix it, and fix it fast.
Sorry, Buck.
That's all right.
I'll take care of it.
Claude doesn't own that recording
until the invoice is paid.
I'm really sorry about all this.
I thought Claude had
everything figured out.
Here, let me take a look,
see if I can help you out.
No, it's already
cut to the bone.
So you owe me the money.
I can't afford this.
I'm afraid Claude's taken advantage of
your honest nature, as well as mine.
Ah, don't be embarrassed.
I've seen all this before,
especially with Claude.
I usually don't do this, but I
could set up a payment plan, or...
Or what?
I'm pitching to a major artist,
and I could include
your song in there.
It could mean a lot of money.
What about Claude?
He didn't write it.
You and your brother sign this
release, and we've got a deal.
You don't sign it,
you got 30 days.
Ah! Come on!
Hey, hey, hey, hey! What're
you doing this by yourself for?
I'm not, now that you're here.
Grab a hold of this thing here.
Let's just sit it
right over here.
Thank you. Perfect.
Perfect, perfect.
Whew!
What are you doing with
this old junker, anyhow?
I'm restoring her.
Why?
'Cause she's a classic,
for God's sake.
First thing I ever bought
brand spanking new.
Well, almost new.
I got it when I was on
the road with Claude.
I wish to heck I'd taken
better care of her,
but I can tell you
one thing for sure.
She's gonna get a second
chance at being a beauty.
Just shine her on up
there. She's gonna be nice.
I got some beers in
here. You want one?
Yeah, sure.
Whoa, doggie!
Might want to get a
new one of those, too.
Oh, I grew up with that thing.
There you go.
When I was a kid,
back in Mississippi,
we didn't have a TV.
So, every Saturday night,
we'd circle around this
little baby right here
and we'd listen to
the Grand Ole Opry.
And I'd look to the back of this
thing here, and I'd see these...
glowing tubes, and I
couldn't figure out.
I went, "What makes them glow?"
And you know what
I came up with?
It's the music.
And I still believe that.
Where's ol' Claude?
Don't know.
You okay?
You get it done?
Yeah.
Well, you pleased?
Is Claude happy?
Don't know.
Don't bore me with too
much details here, now.
It's Claude, ain't it?
Well, I shoulda warned you.
He can be an obnoxious ass.
I love him like a brother,
but also like a brother,
I want to kill him
most of the time, too.
And so you got to understand here is that
Claude ain't like all the rest of us.
When he was like
five, six years old,
he was giving professionals
advice on things to do.
And he wasn't shy
about it, either.
And... And people aren't always
comfortable about that.
Well, neither am I.
Well, is your song better now
that Claude got a hold of it?
Yes.
There you go. It's hard.
It's hard for him, too.
Yeah.
Thanks for the beer.
Sit down.
I ain't done with you. Sit.
You know, back in the day,
there wasn't anybody
bigger than Claude.
And then in a heartbeat,
it all went away.
And he went back to playing the
highway joints where he started.
But you know what?
He was happy.
He was happy because he was
playing the music that he loved
to people that loved it.
And that's all that mattered.
None of that other stuff
meant anything to him.
Then his fans started dying off.
He started drinking a
little bit too much.
What's that got to do with me?
Everything.
You got him going again.
Buck wants the song.
That's good. He'll get it out there and
some record label will sign your deal.
He doesn't want the
recording. He wants the song.
Oh.
Does Claude know this?
Don't you think
you owe him that?
Tell you the truth, I'm not
sure I owe him much of anything.
Wayne.
You love making music?
Ever since I was a kid,
it's how I wanted
to make a living.
That ain't what I asked you.
Oh, boy.
What are you doin' up?
Waiting on you.
Buck says we can't use the
demo till we pay for it.
I can't.
Can you?
No.
Then he wants the song.
Did you sign anything?
No.
Thanks.
But I might.
Don't. Please.
Wayne!
You have 30 days.
It must be bad news for
you to come in person.
Just thought I'd drop by.
What do you want?
Can I come in?
How's business?
Right now, I'm busy filling an
order for my distributor in Japan.
Got a good business there.
The internet, you know.
Yeah. That's good.
- Hey, can we talk?
- About what?
"Neon Highway."
I haven't thought about that
in years. What about it?
I'm putting together
a record deal.
You're putting together a deal?
Me and Claude Allen.
I did an installation at his house.
He heard the song. He likes it.
We took it to Nashville
and made a demo.
You sang with Claude Allen?
No, actually, I didn't get to.
Oh. That sucks.
You finally get to the big time,
and you didn't even get to sing.
Yeah.
Listen, we got to sign
this over to the producer
in order to make a deal.
We'll split it 50/50.
You can have it all. I don't
want anything to do with it.
Yeah.
You ever think about
what could have been?
Nope.
When was the last time
you played guitar?
I don't have one.
Look, I gotta get these
rods out today, so...
Good luck with it.
Yeah.
Where you been?
I went to see Lloyd.
He signed the deal with Buck.
How about you?
Not yet.
Good.
'Cause this time tomorrow,
we're gonna be celebrating
after we make a
deal with Ed Brown.
Ed over at Southlane?
- Yep!
- Hey!
Taking it to him in the morning.
Still partners?
This calls for a drink.
Yep. There it is.
Park. Park right here.
Where you going?
I'm staying with you this time.
We're not going in.
We're gonna sit right
here till Ed shows up.
See that sign with his name on
it? That's his parking spot.
I thought you set up a meeting.
That'd be a waste of time.
Too many distractions inside.
He'll be along shortly.
Make yourself comfortable.
Something's up. He shoulda
been here by 10:00.
About the only good
thing I can say about Ed
is he's always been consistent.
You know him that well?
I was his first hitmaker.
Truth is, I helped him
pay for this place.
Back then, I owned
a third of it.
We were like family.
There he is.
Hold on. Hold on. This
is between me and Ed.
It's personal.
When I sold out to
him, he promised
that whenever I wanted him to
release something, he would.
So I'm calling it in.
Now let me do it my way.
Please.
- Hey, Gin.
- Hey.
I only have a second
before the bell rings.
How's it going?
Claude's in a meeting right
now at Southlane Records.
So, are you coming home soon?
Soon.
- Maybe tonight.
- Um, Charley called.
- You told him?
- Well, he asked. I had to.
He's really stuck
his neck out for you.
So if you're not back by tomorrow,
they'll probably fire you both.
Are you hearing me?
Yeah. Yeah.
No, I hear you.
There's the bell. I
gotta get to my class.
Yeah.
Mr. Allen!
Mr. Allen!
How'd it go?
- Didn't.
- Oh, man! I never liked Ed anyway.
And I'm gonna tell you something. He
ain't the only game in town either.
Yes, he is.
No one else will even touch
Claude, and you know it.
What, did he piss off
everyone in this town?
Yeah. More than once.
That's because he is a genius,
and people don't understand him.
No, it's because nobody likes
him. I don't like him either.
I love him, but
I don't like him.
Wayne, sign with Buck.
- It's the only way out of this mess.
- No!
Come on, now!
Claude'll figure
something out here.
Grow up, Ray!
No one will even talk to him,
let alone make a deal with him.
You want me to grow up?
You can't even get over the fact
that he dumped you 30 years ago.
How about you
growing up, Pepper?
I dumped him!
Yeah, right.
We had a deal. Made it legal.
A handshake ain't legal.
Mm. To me, it is.
Sign and go home.
Mr. Collins! Mr. Collins!
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Hold up. Hey.
So, uh, so I've been working on, uh,
something for a while now, a song.
And I been practicing
really hard,
and I was wondering if
I played it for you,
if you thought that, uh,
Mr. Allen would like it.
Go tell him yourself.
I'm going home.
Wait, wait. Whoa, whoa.
Home? Like home home home?
Wait. But wait, what
about... What about your song
And what about your deal?
What about Mr. Allen?
You should go home, too.
I hope you're happy.
None of this makes me happy.
Daddy! Daddy!
Hey! There's my little girl!
- How you doing?
- I got some new tennis shoes.
New tennis shoes? What
happened to your other ones?
Oh, it's a long story.
Well?
I signed the contract
this morning.
Lloyd did, too.
You went to see him?
- Yeah.
- Wow.
Well, you know, if nothing
else good comes out of this,
at least you talked to Lloyd.
I'm gonna go see some shoes.
Do I still got a job?
Ginny called.
Congratulations, man.
You did it!
Ah, I'm still broke.
Well, you won't be for long.
Well, right now,
I just need a job.
Well, let's get you
some work orders.
Thanks.
Oh, just do me a favor, though.
Please, only tell
Bob the bad stuff.
All right? Nothing good. Nothing.
Or I'll never hear the end of it.
Probably never hear
the end of it anyway.
Hey, congratulations, Collins.
How about getting me a
date with Carrie Underwood?
She's happily married there and
I don't think she likes rednecks.
- Ah, come on!
- Congratulations, Mr. Collins.
I heard the news, man.
You gotta be flyin'!
- You going back to sit in on the session?
- Nope.
Why not?
I mean, they'll probably
let you do that, won't they?
Maybe.
You know, for someone that just won the
lottery, you don't seem to care much.
You're right. I don't.
It's ready!
Wayne! Where is he?
I think he's in the garage.
- Hold on. We'll be right back.
- Thanks, Mom.
Dinner's on the table.
The kids are waiting.
Okay.
What are you doing?
We gotta have a garage sale,
pay for Hal's honors program.
I thought you had a deal.
We do.
It's still gotta get
recorded and released.
It's still a long shot.
Wait. You can't
sell your guitar.
It's good for a few bucks.
I don't need it anymore.
What happened in Nashville?
I sold the song.
That's what happened.
The only way I could make the
deal was to force Claude out.
- Is he okay with that?
- It's not his song.
He has to be.
Are you okay with it?
The kids are waiting.
Claude!
Hell no! I have Pam Tillis coming
in here tomorrow for a session.
Well, I don't want to
stab Claude in the back.
I'd stab him in the
stomach if I could.
This is your signature
and your brother's.
It's legal, and there's
nothing you can do to stop it.
So get the hell out of here
or I'll call the police.
Claude here? I need
to talk to him.
He's in the hospital.
What?
Ray was gonna drive him home,
but before they could
leave, he passed out.
Oh, no.
I gotta tell you, he was
pretty down when you left.
We talked him into staying a
while, make sure he was okay, but...
It's all my fault.
No.
It's this damn business.
And the way he's lived.
I'm amazed he's
lasted this long.
I'll tell him you stopped by.
No, I... I'll tell him
myself. Where is he?
Parklane Hospital, downtown.
What the hell?
- What you doing here?
- Figured you was getting lonely.
How is he?
Well, they're doing a bunch
of tests on him right now.
When I saw him, he
didn't look so good.
But he's a tough old bird,
and if anybody can make it
through this, it'll be him.
You gonna stay?
Yeah.
That's good.
Yes, sir. That's real good.
Red nine to black ten.
Ooh, nice.
You think we'll see anything
about Claude on the news?
No. Nobody gives a rat's ass.
Unless he dies. Then they'll
all come flocking in.
This town loves a good funeral.
The hell of it is, all the radio
stations'll be playing his music 24/7,
but he won't be
around to hear it.
Ten.
You know, he never tried
anything like this before.
Thought he could make it
happen, like the old days.
Yeah.
Your song's that good.
It got him going again.
At least for a while.
I thought he might like this.
Take it easy.
How you feeling?
If it ain't hurtin',
it ain't workin'.
You want me to call a nurse?
Nah.
All she'll do is stick
me with another needle.
Go on home. You're
too old for this.
Hangin' around here, you
might catch something.
Well, you can go to hell, 'cause
I'm gonna stay as long as I want.
Elton brought this to you.
He thought you might get
tired of watching the TV.
Ah, tell him thanks.
Wayne's out there. You
want me to go get him?
I don't want nothing
to do with him.
Sorry, Wayne. Maybe he'll
feel better tomorrow.
He doesn't want to
see me, does he?
No.
Can't say I blame him.
Well, I thought
you were partners.
Didn't work out.
Oh.
Does that mean we're not gonna hear
Claude singing your song on the radio?
No, we're not.
Well, why not? I mean,
it's good, ain't it?
It's gotta be, with Claude
and everything, it's got...
Elton, just shut up!
Oh, to hell with this.
I'm not gonna sit around and
just wait for him to die.
Maybe Claude was
right about him.
Yeah.
Southlane Records. Hold, please.
- May I help you?
- Uh, yes, ma'am.
We're experiencing an emergency
on the upstream hard line.
Don't want you to
have a brownout.
Just need a few minutes
in your telecom closet.
- Do you have a work order?
- You bet.
Southlane Records. Yes, sir.
Uh, it's downstairs,
just past the break room.
Uh, I'm sorry, sir...
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls...
Did you find the problem?
You're all set, and you
never sounded better.
I come alive
when they hit me...
Claude Allen.
Yep, I said it, Claude Allen.
He's got a new song out.
Now, I don't know how,
but he's on call waiting
systems everywhere in Nashville.
I'm talking all over the place.
And he's always done
things his own way.
And now he's at it again.
Just listen to this.
Living the dream...
What?
On the neon highway
Playin' this guitar,
singin' my songs
Put me on hold.
Now.
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house down...
Son of a bitch.
Only way I know to do it is...
Pam.
Why didn't you tell me that
was Claude Allen's song?
It's not. I own the rights. See?
Let me tell you something.
Claude Allen was a friend of my daddy's,
and I'm not stealing anything from him.
Matter of fact, neither are you.
And don't you ever
call me again.
- So, I guess the session's canceled?
- Shut up.
I drive on these white lines
Remind me this is
What I was born to do
Livin' the dream
on a neon highway
Playin' this guitar,
singin' my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
Only way I know to do
it Is to do it my way
Livin' the dream
on the neon highway
I know, Max. It's all
over the TV news too.
- Oh, Wayne.
- I gotta go.
Have you heard?
How'd you do it?
- How'd I do what?
- Come on, now.
You got it out there somehow.
Oh, the song. Yeah. You know,
I heard something about that.
Whatever happened
probably ain't legal,
or whoever did in a
whole bunch of trouble.
Is Claude happy?
Happy don't describe it. He wants
to see you. You wait right here.
That's just... That's
righteous, man.
This is righteous.
Only way I know to do
it Is to do it my way
Livin' the dream
on the neon highway
Neon highway
Hey.
I look like hell, don't I?
You never were pretty.
You're smarter than you look.
How'd you do it?
I just did what
I know how to do.
You'll probably get fired.
Yeah, or worse.
But the song's out there now.
No one can change that.
You're right.
- I'll let you get some rest.
- Wayne.
Up against the wall.
That case.
Bring it here.
Up here.
Open it.
Close it.
Take it.
I can't.
I ain't askin', I'm tellin'.
I don't think I'm gonna
make it out of this joint.
If you don't take
it, the lawyers will.
I've done all I know how to do.
Now it's up to you, son.
Mm?
Mm?
Yeah.
He gave me this. He's
not thinking clear.
Why don't you hang
on to it for him?
No.
He knows exactly
what he's doing.
Hey, you earned it.
Where are you going?
Nowhere.
What you doing?
Holding your hand, you old fool.
Mm. That's nice.
Can you ever forgive
me for kicking you out?
I don't blame you for nothin'.
In that case, we gotta
get you out of here.
Hm. That an invitation?
Yeah.
I like the feel of
your hand in mine.
Feels good.
Like old times.
Yeah.
I figured you'd stop by.
- I heard it.
- Yeah?
And?
You gave me all the credit.
Why?
I figured you'd get
a kick out of that.
Did you?
Yeah. Yeah, I did.
I want to show you something.
That's an original White Falcon.
It was Claude's.
He gave it to me.
Every song he ever wrote
was with that guitar.
He wouldn't let anybody touch
it. I learned that the hard way.
It's yours.
No, I, uh...
I... I don't play.
It's, um... It's
been too long, and...
If it's in your soul,
it doesn't go away.
Well...
I gotta go see if I
still have a job or not.
Hey, by the way, I was thinking.
Would you want to come
by for dinner Sunday?
Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that.
Everybody says we wrote
a pretty good song.
Maybe we ought to try again.
Let me think about it.
Well, I won't do it without you.
I'll see you Sunday.
And, uh...
Don't forget your guitar.
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls
I come alive when they hit
me With the bright lights
That's the kind of
rush I'm looking for
Longneck lies And
smoke-filled barrooms
Fit me like a pair
of broken boots
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
The only way I know to
do it Is to do it my way
Living the dream
on a neon highway
This neon highway
No, you don't
get to choose it
No, this life chooses you
Every country mile I
drive on these white lines
Remind me that this is
What I was born to do
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
The only way I know to
do it Is to do it my way
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Neon highway
Shinin' like the
stars up in the sky
Just wanna see my name
On the marquee sign
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
The only way I know to
do it Is to do it my way
Living the dream
on a neon highway
The neon highway
The neon highway
The neon highway
The neon highway
Mmm
at the fruit stand
At the farmers market
Off of Fourth and Main
Selling raspberry
jelly In her right hand
I joked about the jam
Just to catch her name
She said, "You
oughta give it a try"
But, oh, what
really had my eye
Was that local honey
Come on. Let's go.
I'm coming, I'm coming.
There's an awful
lot of people here.
Yeah, I'm sure that's why
they chose this place.
Hey, house band learned
our song. We gotta play it.
We always play together, right?
I won't do this without you.
- Okay.
- All right, all right.
Come on.
I should've known better
Oh, yeah, you
should've known better
- She's real good.
- Don't worry about that.
Just focus on what we're doing.
Should've known better
Yeah, you should've
known better
There they are.
Look.
No, thanks.
Hey, they liked our demo.
- We were at home by ourselves.
- Don't worry about that.
Focus on playing
guitar. I got the rest.
Should've known better
Thank you. Thank you.
Now all the way from
Columbus, Georgia,
give a big ol' Bobby's
welcome to our next victims,
The Collins Brothers.
What do you say?
Close your eyes. Let's go.
What's going on,
Nashville? Evening.
Got a place to lay my head
Got a house and a little yard
Been saving all my money
So I can buy a farm
Breathe in that fresh air Sit
creekside in a beach chair
Let a little outside in
This country boy's heart
I need dirt on my truck
I need dirt on my roads
I need dirt on my boots
I need dirt on my boots
Crops need the rain And
the stars need the sky
But I need some
dirt in my life
Open your eyes.
Dirt on the floorboards
Dirt on the dash
Dirt on my jeans,
dirt on the left
Dirt on the right
I just need a little
dirt in my life
Dirt on my truck I need
dirt on these roads
I need dirt on my boots
Need dirt on my toes
Crops need the rain
And stars need the sky
And I need some
dirt in my life
Thank you, thank you.
You did it, brother.
- I can't believe it.
- I can.
Really loved watching you play.
There's some folks here that would
like to have a little chat with you.
Hey, let it go. We got
work to do. Come on.
Uh, go on. I'll catch up.
Well, hello.
You write that?
Yes, sir, every
note and every word.
- Well, we like your style.
- And your song.
We think we might
be able to sell you.
Come by the office tomorrow.
You bet. What time
you want us there?
You, not him.
Did you see him?
Everybody loved him.
Yes, but he's not what
we're looking for.
We're looking for a singer-songwriter.
We have the best players in the world.
We wrote that song together.
Our legal department will
take care of all that.
The best part of my day
Is when it's through
...to do but kick
off these boots
How'd it go?
They loved it.
I got a meeting with some
guys from a record company.
That's fantastic.
Hey, Ginny!
Wait. Who's that?
Get out of here.
I'm on the phone.
Just Lloyd. I've never
seen him like this before.
Once he got going,
there's no stopping him.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Everything's going great here.
Oh, Wayne.
I love you too.
They did it. They got a meeting.
He called you at this time
of night about a meeting?
Yes. It's a big deal.
And when you hear him on
the radio, you'll see.
If he loses his job,
that will be a big deal.
I thought somebody
died or something.
And you woke the baby.
Mm.
Whoo-hoo-hoo!
I'm a singer and I'm a star
Gonna buy me a Cadillac car
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Oh!
Whoo! Oh, that was amazing.
I had no idea it'd be
like that. I mean...
And we got a record deal.
We don't have a deal.
I've got a meeting.
Don't we have a meeting?
Look, I'll handle it.
What's going on?
They don't want
you. They want me.
Did I... Did I do something wrong?
No, you didn't do anything
wrong. You were great.
Just business is all. I'm
gonna go talk to them.
No, you don't. Let's
go somewhere else.
Not gonna go someplace
else. They made an offer.
I'm gonna go talk to them. Maybe
I can try to work something out.
Lloyd!
Daddy, have you seen my
tennis shoes anywhere?
Your tennis shoes?
Which ones, the pink ones that
light up with those fancy stars?
- Yeah.
- With the speckly purply shoelaces?
- Daddy, yes.
- They're next to the couch.
- Is that where they're supposed to be?
- Thanks.
Hurry up, Angie. The bus
will be here any minute.
- Morning, hon.
- Hi. Morning. Yeah.
- Cereal's on the table.
- Okay.
Hi, Karen.
What? Yes. Everyone
wears a costume.
That's why it's called
a dress rehearsal.
Yes, we have to bring them.
Mnh-mnh-mnh. Sit down,
finish your fruit.
Dad, Dad, my ride's
here. They won't wait.
- What is that?
- I gotta go.
See you before school starts.
The dryer's doing
that thing again.
I think it's done for this
time. This is unbelievable.
I have two more loads of
costumes for the play.
Let me do that.
I hope we don't need a new one.
- Nope, I'll look at it tonight.
- Looking at it won't fix it.
- Love you.
- That won't fix it, either.
Hey, looks like I'm
riding with you today.
- Again?
- Yeah.
Dad says I can learn a lot
from an old pro like you.
Taught you everything
I know yesterday.
- There's...
- Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.
What's up?
I need some overtime
this weekend.
Well, it's Jackson's turn.
Come on, Charley.
You know I gotta
spread it around.
Then you should be paying me
extra for babysitting your kid.
I'll tell you what.
Get him to stop messing
around with that damn guitar.
There's no future in it, Wayne.
You know that
better than anybody.
All right, I didn't
mean it like that.
Just...
he's not any good.
He isn't.
He knows you were. That's why
he wants to ride with you.
Talk to him, I'll
see what I can do.
All right, everyone, listen up.
Pull up your work orders.
You'll see we've got a
busy day in front of us.
What were you and
Dad talking about?
Nothing.
Was it my music?
It was, wasn't it?
I knew it. He just
doesn't get it.
Oh, he gets it, all right.
Do us both a favor and tell
him we talked about it.
EPN Telecom, Mr. Allen?
Mornin'.
Well, come on.
I didn't expect you this early.
Bacon's on the stove,
so give me a minute.
Order says reactivate
the line with Internet.
- Is that right?
- Yeah.
Where's your service?
- My what?
- Your phone jack.
Oh, over by the
chifforobe, I think.
I'm sorry for the mess. Just
move whatever you need to.
Don't matter.
Here, get rid of this.
Man, look at this cool guitar.
Huh?
It's got a bird
on the pick guard.
Don't touch nothing.
That's Johnny Cash.
And that's Merle Haggard.
And that is this guy.
Robert C. Allen.
He's Claude Allen.
Damn it!
Whoa! Whoa!
Well, that's a dead soldier.
Are you Claude Allen?
How about stirring them grits?
I got plenty here.
Coffee's about ready.
You boys are welcome to join me.
Uh, no, thank you.
Oh, I'm Bob, and
this here is Wayne.
Glad to meet you.
What are you doing way out here?
Oh, this was my folks' place.
Been empty for years.
Thought I'd move back for a while, kind of
whip it into shape, maybe get a few cows.
You playing any shows
while you're here?
No, I'm taking some time off.
Well, man, I can't wait to
tell my daddy you're out here.
I wish you wouldn't.
Let's just keep it a
secret amongst us chickens.
Okay.
How's that going?
Good.
You know...
I used to play around
here all the time.
Lulu's Lookout. I think
that's the name of the place.
Mm, yeah. Place closed down.
Now it's a parking deck.
Oh, that was a hell of a place.
Yeah, in fact, the last
night I played there,
old Red Ramus quit the band.
Some guy was razzing him
about being a lousy fiddler,
which he was.
And then Red said something about the
guy's girlfriend having a horse face,
which she did,
and, oh, my goodness,
they were at it.
It was on like a couple of dogs.
Next morning, we bailed
old Red out of jail.
He was madder than
a wet rooster.
Said he'd had enough.
He went back to Texas.
Well, last I heard, he made
a million selling hot tubs.
Must be nice.
Mm-hmm. He still
can't play the fiddle.
Bob, why don't you run to the
truck and grab a 320 modem?
Bob!
- What?
- 320. Go.
Well, let me know if
you need anything.
She's a beauty, ain't she?
Used to belong to Duane Eddy.
I'd appreciate you
closing her back up.
Yes, sir. I... Mr. Allen,
I... I'm sorry. I...
I've just... I've never seen
one of these in person before.
Oh, you must play.
Yeah. Yes, sir, I used to.
Me and my brother used to...
We played Nashville
a little bit.
Mm. Covers or original?
Mostly original.
Play the Ace of Clubs?
No.
- Forty-One.
- No, sir.
Well, you had to have played
the Music City Lounge.
I can't say we did.
Well, do me a big favor and
don't touch nothing else.
We played Bobby's.
Bobby's Bar?
Once.
Oh, you had to know what you
were doing to play there.
What happened?
It didn't work out.
Why not?
We got in a wreck.
Oh.
Kid brother, Lloyd, he, uh...
It didn't work out.
Well, I'll tell you what.
It's dangerous
living on the road.
Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly.
There have been a
whole bunch of them.
Odds are something's
bound to happen.
Hell, I don't know how we
survived that old school bus
we traveled around in.
We tore out all the seats
and jammed a bunch of
them recliners in there.
They used to slide around like bumper
cars every time we made a turn.
Oh, hey.
Try this one out.
No, uh...
Oh, go ahead.
Come on.
If it's in your soul,
it don't go away.
Yeah, Bob, why don't you
go ahead and finish up?
Yeah.
Play me one of yours.
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls
I come alive when they hit
me With them bright lights
That's the kind of
rush I'm looking for
Go on. Keep going.
Longneck lies And
smoke-filled barrooms
Fits me like a pair
of broken boots
Living this life
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
Troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
The only way I know to
do it Is to do it my way
Living a dream
on a neon highway
I'm a little rusty. I haven't
touched a guitar in a while.
I, uh... I thank you, though.
We're all finished up here.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
It sure was nice to
meet you, Mr. Allen.
I play too. I'm actually
learning right...
Real good, son.
You keep at it.
That's just what
the world needs.
Another picker.
- Come look.
- Let me see.
"We are pleased to inform
you that you've been accepted
into the Summer High School Honors
Program at the University of Tennessee."
- Thataboy.
- Oh, Meemaw will be so excited.
- Let's give her a call.
- Okay, let's go.
Ah!
Ah!
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls
I come alive when they hit
me With them bright lights
That's the kind of
rush I'm looking for
Smoke-filled bars and long...
Good to hear you sing again.
Don't. Play some more.
Waste of time.
Wayne.
Hey.
Everything okay?
Yeah.
Throw that away.
Hey, um...
So I've been thinking.
Some of my friends got jobs as
counselors at camp this summer.
Maybe I should go with them.
What do you think?
I think you're going to
UT. That's what I think.
I don't... I'm not...
I'm not sure I want to.
Well, I want you to go.
I want you to go. And you got
a hell of an opportunity here.
You're not missing that.
You're going.
- Really?
- Yeah.
Now help me haul this thing
to the street, will you?
Okay.
Well, howdy.
Something up with my phone?
No, no, question for you.
Okay.
Was my song any good?
Yeah, sure.
Would you want to buy it?
I'm retired from that racket.
There ain't nothing I can do for
you. But thanks for stopping by.
Oh, well, look, I'm sorry, Mr. Allen,
but I can't let it go that easy.
Do you... Do you know anyone
that might want to buy it?
Can you help me get a cut?
Oh, I see.
Come on in.
Son, when I said I
was retired, I lied.
They retired me.
I'm about as useful to
them as a flat tire.
You're a legend.
When's the last time you
heard me on the radio?
This business is
a bitter mistress.
Oh, that's fine, thank you.
It'll take what you got.
And with no warning at all
run off to the next thing.
Don't matter if it's any good.
Just gotta be new.
I'm not complaining.
I had my day.
I don't have any money.
What you see here
is all that's left.
I... I wish I could, but there's
nothing I can do for you.
But, hey, you wrote
a damn good song.
Ain't many people that
can pull that off.
That's... That's what's important.
All the rest is bullshit.
Thank you, Mr. Allen.
Call me Claude.
Thank you, Claude.
Sometimes when
I'm feeling low
There's a little place I go
Where the neon lights
Make the world seem bright
And that Southern
Comfort flows
All it takes is
a couple of shots
Good morning. Right on time.
Ha-ha. I like that.
I want to show you something.
Come on in.
- Hmm?
- Come on.
Stand right there.
Better acoustics.
Yeah, give it a
little Elvis echo.
Ah, hold on.
She always needs a little love.
You know, this old boy
told me a long time ago,
"Son, you don't want to
listen to your head."
Listen to your gut.
Closer to your heart.
"And let the soul come through."
Interesting, huh?
Yeah, just let the
song come to you.
Hmm.
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls
I come alive when they hit
me With them bright lights
That's the kind of
rush I'm looking for
Longneck lies,
smoke-filled barrooms
Fit me like a pair
of broken boots
Now here's the modulation on
the chorus I came up with.
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my song
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rocking the house
down all night long
Only way I know to do
it Is to do it my way
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Well, you get the idea.
Well, it ain't a hobby.
Oh, don't you worry, son.
It's still your song.
I just made it better.
Well, you're welcome.
There you go.
Mmm.
Hey, you want some?
What am I supposed to do now?
Drink up.
I'm not talking
about the coffee.
I know what you're
talking about.
I've, uh... I've done
what I know how to do.
Now it's up to you.
You know what?
I have an idea.
About buying the song?
Goodness, no.
I'm going to take it to
Nashville, record it myself.
Just about everyone in that town
owes me something one way or another.
So I'm calling in the favors.
I can do this for
next to nothing.
I'll make a deal with a label,
get it out there on the radio.
It's a straight-up business
deal between me and you.
We split everything 50/50.
You serious?
As a train wreck.
Well, come on, what
do you got to lose?
I suppose I could try to
get some time off work.
Well, to tell you the truth, it
might be better if I go it alone.
Between the lawyers, managers,
and all the rest of them leeches,
having you around might
just muddy the waters.
No.
I'm going.
Or no deal.
Oh, I see.
Well, let's make it legal.
You haven't even told
Charley, have you?
Nope, and I don't have to.
I'm owed sick days anyhow.
But what if he finds out?
What are we going to do?
Well, he won't.
You know, hearing you sing
again was wonderful, okay?
After all these years, it
was real emotional for me.
And I would love to hear more,
but to just pick up and go to
Nashville with some ol' has-been
that everybody thinks
is dead is ridiculous.
He's not a has-been.
Just been taking some
time off, that's all.
For 25 years?
He knows everybody in the
industry. He's calling in favors.
It's not gonna be
like last time.
Not a good tactic
to bring that up.
I will never, ever get
another chance like this.
I know it's crazy.
At least it's a shot.
I'm going to Nashville.
Me and Claude are
recording my song.
And if it sells, it can mean a
hell of a lot of money for us.
Those are dirty.
You know I've always
loved your music.
But I love you more.
Just get back before
Charley finds out.
Love you.
Don't open that. That's illegal.
Not anymore.
- How you doing on gas?
- Just fine. Why?
'Cause I'm running on empty.
There's plenty of stores
along the interstate.
Be faster anyhow.
No, I know ol' 41
better than my playlist.
Miami to Michigan.
I played every joint on this highway
that's big enough to have a neon sign.
Have you done that?
Now, you want my help, shut up.
Oh, that radio don't work.
You need to get that fixed.
Waste of money.
No, it ain't. That's
what it's all about.
If you ain't on that
radio, you ain't nothing.
That's the prize we're after.
That's why I said all this up.
What... What did you set up?
Oh.
Don't you worry. I got
it all figured out.
I'll be making some
calls when we get there.
I'll tell you what.
How about you make
some calls right now?
Right now?
Right now. It's
still business hours.
Okay.
That's not the way it's done.
But if it'll make you
happy, what the hell?
Studio Sandy. How
may I help you?
Mornin', hon. Hook me
up with the old man.
Old man?
Skitch.
Skitch?
Yeah, Skitch.
One moment please.
Listen to that.
You hear them snaps
on beats two and four?
They're as irritating
as somebody popping gum.
This crap's like cotton candy.
Mostly nothing, and you're
still hungry when it's done.
That's what's selling, isn't it?
That's why they
call it "Cashville."
Nobody gives a rat's ass
about nothing except money.
I'm sorry.
There doesn't seem to
be a Mr. Skitch here.
Never mind.
I ain't wasting no more
time talking to idiots
who don't even know
their boss' nickname.
From here on out,
we do it my way.
Got it?
Good.
I'm glad we cleared that up.
Well, I think we're... I
think we're near Ring...
I think we're near
Ringgold, yeah.
Yeah, I know where we
are. Take that next right.
My throat's drier
than a popcorn fart.
Oh, yeah.
Huh? Oh, come on.
Watch this.
Hi, there, beautiful.
Hey. What can I get you?
Whiskey straight
up, two of them.
Coming right up.
Aren't you...
Yes, ma'am. What's
your name, hon?
Me? Rosie.
Well, Rosie, we are a couple
of dry, weary troubadours
in need of refreshment,
not only of spirit, but of soul.
Yes, sir, Mr. Allen.
Oh, call me Claude.
- I went a little heavy on yours.
- Oh.
No.
Oh, well, thank you, brother.
Mmm.
Ahh.
Howdy, boys.
It's an honor to be in your
personal den of iniquity.
Peace. Peace.
What you got there,
sister? Come on.
Oh, yeah. Claude loves you.
There it is. Oh, yeah.
How about you, young lady?
Would you like something...
Are you anybody?
No, ma'am.
Well, that'll be 12 bucks, then.
He's still got it, don't he?
Let's hope so.
Good to see you guys.
Hey.
You hear that?
Yeah.
Music City.
It's in the air.
Whoever that is,
that's pretty good.
Good ain't good enough.
Yeah, hold your horses.
Hold your horses.
Hold your horses.
Evening.
If you wouldn't mind
filling this out right here.
Don't forget to put your
license plate number on there.
Checkout is noon.
If you need some ice, it's that little
rinky-dink machine right out there.
Did you wash the
sheets this time?
Oh, my God, Claude, is that you?
'Fraid so.
Where the heck have
you been? Good gosh.
- I've been around.
- Oh, my gosh.
What are you doing here? I
thought you were in Oklahoma.
Well, I was, but that old girl,
she left me for a guy that
owns a funeral parlor.
And if you ask me, I think
she did it for the free makeup
that they use on
the dead people.
And God knows she
could use it, too.
Then Pepper calls
me up and she said
why don't I come back here and
help her run the place, so...
Where is that beautiful
sister of yours?
She went to the store here,
you know. She'll be back.
- My God, it's great to see you.
- Good to see you, too.
Oh, Ray, this here's
Wayne Collins.
Hey, Wayne. How you doing, sir?
- Good to see you.
- Good to see you.
So tell me, what you
doing back in town?
Hmm.
I'm getting back in the game.
Oh, it's about time. Come on, now.
You ain't kidding me, are you?
Nope, nope, nope, nope. I
got... Well, we got a song.
He and his brother made
the rounds a few years ago.
Used to play at Bobby's.
Oh! Well, I can't say
that I remember you,
but I don't remember
much of anything anyhow.
If you got a room to spare we'd
like to hole up here for a while.
Well, I got 12 rooms
and 12 vacancies,
so I think I can squeeze
you in here somewhere.
What an honor to have you
here. Just like old times.
Well, this is business, so you go
ahead and charge us the full rate.
No, sir. No, sirree, Bob.
When people find out you're staying here,
they're gonna flock in from everywhere.
So you stay as long as you want.
And you don't owe
me one thin dime.
Well, thank you,
Ray. God love you.
Nothing better than old friends.
Even the ugly ones.
I'll be darned.
Good. Hot water cleared up.
Hey, hey, easy, easy. Hey,
hey, try the other one.
You know, when, uh, Ray and
Pepper's folks built it,
this was the best place
this side of town.
Then the new
interstate opened up.
They ought to sell the damn
thing, but nobody'd buy it.
How'd y'all meet?
Well, back in the
day, she sang backup.
He played in my band. He
was a pretty decent picker.
By God, it is you.
There's not never a time
I'm not glad to see you.
My goodness, look at you.
You are a sight for
these sorry old eyes.
Oh, come here.
- Ha!
- Well, who's this?
Wayne Collins, ma'am.
Real nice to meet you.
- What are you up to, old man?
- Well...
Let me guess. Picker,
singer, songwriter?
Well, used to be. Work
for a telecom company now.
Well, that's good, honey.
Keep your wits about you.
Don't let this busker
steer you wrong.
Yes, ma'am.
Y'all come on up for
a visit after a while.
Get yourselves settled in.
- Okay.
- Okay, okay.
I should've married that girl.
Why didn't you?
I couldn't after
what she said to me.
I'll bite.
What'd she say?
She said, "Pack your shit
and get out of here."
Leaving my poor
darling all alone
All alone
With the cold prison
bars All around me
A-ha!
And my head on a
pillow of stone
Now if I had the
wings of an angel
Over these prison
walls I would fly
I'd fly to the
arms of my darling
And there I'd be willing
To die
Ahhhh-hoo!
Yeah, baby.
It is just so great having y'all
here. I can't even tell you about it.
Oh, my Lord. You see
this guy right here?
He's the best damn country
singer there ever was.
And I mean ever. Ain't
nobody better than him.
Well, I'll drink to
that even though I know
you're the best damn
liar in the world.
I mean it.
You think back about 20
years ago, there ain't nobody
that had more songs on the radio
than this guy right here, period.
Yeah, that was more
like 40 years ago.
Man, bet y'all had a good time.
You're dadgum right we did.
Big time.
Oh, my God.
Remember that time we
went up to Pittsburgh
and you didn't think any of
them Yankees were gonna show up?
By the time we got there, the
place was completely sold out.
I mean, standing room only.
Yeah, like nobody's business.
And when we finished,
nobody wanted to leave.
It was like that
everywhere we went.
I ain't kidding you there, you know?
Come on, let's play another song.
I got one. I got one
here. Watch this.
Yeah. Okay.
If the ocean was
whiskey And I was a duck
I'd swim to the bottom
And never come up
- Uh-oh. Save the guitar!
- Oh, Lord.
There you go. Let me
get his feet here.
Come on, get up here.
There you go. You
just take it easy.
Whew.
Claude, you know I love you.
But you do bring out the
worst in some people.
Morning.
Morning.
Morning. Man, I already
said that, didn't I?
Sorry. Hey, ain't you that fella,
uh, staying with Mr. Allen?
Well, I mean, you gotta be right.
You just came out of his room.
He is in that room,
right? He's in there?
- Yep, yep.
- Yeah. Wow.
Man, I cannot believe Claude
Allen is staying here.
He's staying here. Claude
Allen's staying here.
I stay here too.
I live here too.
And I work here too.
My name is Elton.
- Right, Elton.
- Wow. Boy.
I bet you must be something
if you're playing with him.
I mean, he is a piece of living
history, you know, a legend.
He might be the last one left.
- Okay, Elton?
- Yes, sir.
Where can I get some coffee?
Coffee?
- Oh, coffee?
- Yeah.
Oh, Pepper.
Pepper... Pepper has coffee.
Pepper has coffee right
there, right in that office.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
- Thanks, bud.
- Yeah.
- Morning.
- Yeah, morning. Morning.
Man.
Ain't that something?
Morning.
Good morning.
Boy, do I need some of this.
I can make a fresh pot.
Oh, no, this is...
This is just fine.
How's, uh... How's Ray?
Still passed out
where we left him.
How long has this guy
been working for you?
A few months.
He showed up one night offering to work
for a place to park his old camper.
He had a fiddle in his hand,
so Ray couldn't say no.
Oh.
We hid it out back.
Thought it'd scare people off.
He's not much good at anything,
but when he picks
up that fiddle...
Hmm!
I think we heard him play
last night. Not half bad.
A lot of things around here
burn bright in the night,
then the sun comes up.
Well, makes me glad
I'm here with Claude.
You got a family?
Yes, ma'am. Wife, two kids.
Tell you what.
You stay here a few days,
get it out of your system.
Then go on home and forget it.
I've been here before.
Not so easy to forget.
Well, I wish you both luck.
So what's Claude's plan?
Oh, Lord only knows. Guess
I'll find out when he wakes up.
Go wake him up.
Get!
- Now! Get!
- Yes, ma'am.
Hey, wake up, man. Pepper
wants to talk to you.
- Come on.
- Huh?
What for?
Uh, Mr. Allen?
Get away from there!
Come on, Pepper. I got a plan.
What?
We record a demo, then take
it to Southlane Records.
It's that simple? Really?
- Well, there are a few details.
- Who do you know at Southlane?
Bob Wells. You remember old Bob.
I remember Bob
Wells, for God sakes.
He retired, gotta
be ten years ago.
I'll take it to PZE.
No, you won't either.
They don't even exist.
First you gotta make a demo.
Where are you going to do that?
You ain't set
nothing up, have you?
I called Studio Sandy
yesterday. You saw me.
You didn't talk to nobody.
That girl didn't know nothing.
Besides, I'm better in person.
I'll call Skitch again today.
Skitch done merged
with Buck Bates.
- Not Buck.
- Yep.
Well, I'll deal with Skitch.
No, you won't. He don't
even come in there anymore.
Buck runs the whole
shebang by himself.
Everything you know
isn't that way anymore.
You might want to consider
going home right now.
Hell no. We got a great song.
That's all that matters.
I'll think of something.
Come on, Wayne,
we got work to do.
Remember, it's your
song. Keep an eye on him.
Damn right it's my song.
I hope we did the right thing.
Lord only knows.
- Lord only knows.
- Yeah.
I don't remember so many steps.
You sure this is
the right place?
Okay, okay.
I'm just saying, it seems like a
weird place for a studio is all.
What'd you expect, Studio B?
Quit asking so many questions.
Now do exactly what I say.
But we're...
How many deals you put
together in this town?
Don't say nothing.
I got this.
Mornin', darlin'.
Sit over there.
Yes? May I help you?
Well, aren't you a pretty thing?
- I'm here to see Buck.
- Do you have an appointment?
- No, don't need one.
- I'm sorry.
- But without an appointment, I'm afraid...
- Cut the crap, lady.
There's no need to be rude.
Sister, I'm lucky
to be housebroken.
Tell Buck Claude Allen is here.
Oh, Mr. Allen.
I'll let him know right away.
I said sit over there.
Mr. Bates, Claude Allen
is here to see you.
Mr. Bates says he'll
be right with you.
Can I get you a coffee or tea?
No, thanks, no.
Claude Allen.
Hey, stranger. So
good to see you.
Oh, good to see you too,
Buck. How's business?
Well, I can't complain.
He with you?
- Nope, don't know him at all.
- Oh.
Take a seat and somebody'll
be with you in a minute.
Come on back. How
long has it been?
It's so good to see
you, uh, out and about.
I'll bet it's been 20 years...
To get me through
the night so long
My baby done done me wrong
And I need a place to hide
Now I'm here with
a broken heart
Love wasn't what...
You should have told
me you were in town.
I really don't have much time,
but, uh, so nice of you to drop by.
- Oh, thank you.
- So how's... How's the family?
They're all dead, Buck.
But that don't matter.
I got something here, and I
want to make you part of it.
Claude.
This song is as good as
anything I ever recorded.
It can't lose.
You know one isn't
enough anymore.
I got more, a lot more,
enough for a whole damn album.
Let me talk to Skitch.
He can smell a hit.
Skitch isn't here. I am.
Okay, I want to make
you part of this deal.
You know, I could have taken
it anywhere but didn't.
I came to you.
You need a hit.
Well, so do I.
What's the deal?
I need studio time
to make a demo.
What's in it for me?
Once we sign with a label, I'll come
back here and you'll produce it.
Uh...
Well...
We're booked solid for
the next few weeks.
But I might be able to work
you in tomorrow at 4:00.
Oh.
It'll be just like
the good old days.
I'll need at least
three hours and backup.
Two hours. Get your own backup.
You won't regret it, Buck.
This is a bullet.
I can feel it in my bones.
See you later, darling.
Hope not.
Open up.
Sorry about cutting you out.
That's just the
way it went down.
I'm part of this
too, remember? 50/50.
Yeah, 50/50.
Just making sure.
Hey, I got us a
session for free.
It's about the only good deal I
ever got out of that lying jackass.
Oh, by the way, you got
more songs, don't you?
Yeah.
Good.
Leopold's, the best.
Peace, brother.
Love their strawberry.
I don't drink
'Cause I know my mind
And every time I do
I just think...
- Been here before?
- No.
Well, pay attention. You
might learn something.
Whiskey on the rocks.
So what do you think?
He's killing it.
Not him. Watch the drummer.
That's Max Attaway. Used
to play for me years ago.
Rest of them are some of the
best session guys in town.
They've been together a long time.
They're about as tight as it gets.
I don't drink
'Cause I know my mind
And every time I do
I just think about
what you're doing
And who you're doing it to
I don't take no pills
to kill the pain
They ain't never
told me the truth
I don't smoke
'Cause I'll never get high
enough To get over you
I don't smoke
'Cause I'll never get high
enough To get over you
Yeah
All right
Thank y'all.
If y'all like what you're
hearing, check out my CD,
"Lamont Johnson
Sings the Classics."
And speaking of classics, y'all,
Mr. Claude Allen just
walked in the building.
Hey, Claude, why don't
you come up and join us.
You know him?
Hell, I can't remember.
But in this business,
we're one big happy family.
Sounds like you're up.
Sit down.
Come on!
Sorry, folks, I'm honored,
but I'm a bit under
the weather tonight.
But I got another idea. This
here's my backup singer.
Lamont, old buddy,
let's give him a shot.
Come on up.
You show 'em how it's done.
Y'all know "My
Heart Is Bleeding"?
- We got you.
- All right, I got you.
Fall in.
My heart is bleeding
My lungs are drowning
My baby's on fire...
Hit me again. Make it a double.
I soiled the bed
Yeah, man, that
there's the truth
Heh.
Lord grant me forgiveness
Oh, for what I done wrong
How many you need, Claude?
- I'll go with what I got.
- Max?
I'll take three.
Just one, Pops.
Uh, two for me.
Dealer gets one.
Listen, boys, uh, I
need a little help.
Uh, I got a new song, and I
need some backup to make a demo.
When?
This afternoon at 4:00.
I ain't doing it
unless it's union.
What is scale these days?
About triple what it was
last time you did anything.
Well, it's my bet, boys.
Five bucks.
I'll see your five.
All right, I'll take five.
And then I'll raise you 15.
How about that?
This game's a little
bit too rich-blooded.
I fold.
I'll see your $20
and raise you ten.
All right, there's your
ten. What do you got?
Three little ladies.
Three old hags, more like.
Hello?
Hey, Gin.
Wayne? Are you okay?
Yeah. Been a long
day, but good one.
We booked a studio for the demo
and now we're lining up musicians.
At 3:30 in the morning?
Yeah, they work late.
Anything from Charley?
Just a text.
He asked if you're
okay. I said yes.
Thank goodness he didn't
ask how sick you are.
Oh, good.
Hang on a second.
I can get these
boys on the cheap,
but I need more cash.
How much you got?
That's good.
That's all I got!
Ain't you got a credit card?
- I'll have to call you back.
- O... Okay.
All right, boys, here's $120.
Let's play another round
of straight poker, Max,
just you and me.
You win, you boys
split the money.
I win, you still split the
money, but I get my backup.
Straight poker, nothing wild?
Yeah.
All right. Deal 'em
up. Deal 'em up.
I feel good.
Well, Claude,
your little ladies seem
to like the look of me,
'cause here they are.
You win.
That's it for me.
I'm out of here.
Yeah, have to get home
before the rooster crows.
I'll come to the
studio. Which one is it?
To tell you the truth,
I don't need a singer.
But you be careful driving home.
The hell was that? You lost.
Huh! These boys are union.
Even if I did win,
that's not enough to pay
'em for a coffee break.
Don't worry.
I'm playing the sympathy
card here. They'll be there.
Lamont won't be.
Because he's too damn good.
I don't need that.
Can I go home, Claude?
Oh, yeah.
I would've left you a bigger
tip, but they got all my money.
You've never tipped me as
long as I've known you.
Get the hell outta here.
Be glad to.
Afternoon!
Yeah.
Afternoon.
Well, you're still alive.
Barely.
Where'd you guys go last night?
Shorty's.
Claude got in a poker game.
I hope he didn't lose your car.
Nah, just all my cash.
But he did to get a bunch of guys
together for the session, so there's that.
He's something.
Yes, he is.
But to tell you the truth, it's
hard on me when he shows up.
Ah.
Ray starts acting like he's 19.
I start reminiscing.
Hell, it was 40 years ago.
Wow.
Sometimes it feels
like yesterday.
Hey, I know Ray said you guys
could stay as long as you want.
How much longer do
you think you'll need?
I imagine we'll probably
be done tonight.
No. Never mind. Let's
call it an investment.
You sure?
Yeah, I'm sure.
It's a good song.
Thank you.
Mr. Allen! Mr. Allen!
See? Nobody's here.
I'm sorry, Mr. Allen.
I was about to give you
guys up. Is it just you two?
There's three more joining us.
They'd better hurry up. You're
half an hour in already.
- Well, we just got here.
- The schedule doesn't know that.
- Sorry I'm late.
- Where is everybody?
What'd you expect?
But they took all my money.
You mean all my money.
Yeah, well, you lost the bet.
Well, doesn't matter.
Let's just get to work.
Wayne, can you play bass?
Nope. I can fake it.
There's a studio bass
right over there.
God love you, Max.
I hope so.
No one else does.
I know you still
got it, little girl.
Show me the way.
What are you doin' here?
Max convinced me.
I told you I don't
need a singer.
He's the only one that
would come, Claude.
So shut up, thank him,
and show us the song.
All right, just sit over
there, out of the way.
You know what? Let's
just go and do it.
Taking too long.
Let's just do it.
Okay, count us
down. Count us down.
Can we just try one... Ask him
if we can just do one more.
One more, please.
Hold it, hold it! Okay,
here's where I want to push.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.
Let's take it again.
- Lamont!
- Here we go. Right away. Go.
You're kidding.
They've been at it for two hours
and we haven't recorded anything.
What do you want me to do?
Hold it, hold it, hold it! Okay!
There he goes again.
And when I get to the
last line of the bridge,
Max, do a drum lick.
And, Lamont, stop humming!
Man, he's humming 'cause
you need some harmonies.
You need some silence.
I got you this far.
Keep your mouth shut and your
bowels open, and you'll live longer.
Yeah, Claude, but he was
right. You need both of those.
Okay, come on, get us
going. Let's get us going.
Two, three, four.
Shinin' like the
stars up in the sky
Just want to see my
name On the marquee sign
Living' the dream
on a neon highway...
You put anything down yet?
No.
A troubadour on a dive bar...
Where'd he get the song?
I think the guy playing
the bass wrote it.
Anybody here for
the next session?
Trey and Eddie ought to be.
Send 'em in.
Lamont, this ain't your rodeo.
Drop it down a notch!
Wayne, this is your
song. He's ruining it.
What now?
Sorry, guys. We're here
for the next session.
They told us to come
on in and help out.
Oh, my God. Are
you Claude Allen?
I thought you were...
My grandmother loves you.
I can't wait to
tell her I met you.
I gotta take a piss.
Hey. Don't take it personal.
- He's that way to everybody.
- I always heard he was an asshole.
- I don't need this.
- Come on, stick around.
You know Lamont,
and that's Wayne.
This is his song, not Claude's.
Here, play it for him, man.
No, I'm not touching
Claude's guitar.
It'll only take a minute.
Come on, man, we gotta
get this thing recorded.
I got a gig tonight.
Living this dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
Only way I know to do
it Is to do it my way
Okay, boys, I got this.
Give it to me.
I said give her to me.
He's got the bass.
You sit this one out.
Lamont, I want to hear you more.
You and I are gonna
sound good together.
You start us off.
Max, count us in.
Two, three, four.
- What?
- They're about done.
- How is it?
- It's great. Really good.
Make sure to get Claude
to sign for the session.
Will do.
Well done, darlin'.
That was great.
- Yes, it was.
- Felt like we nailed it.
Thanks, guys. Let's grab a beer.
- I'm in.
- Cool.
Mr. Allen! I need you
to sign this invoice.
Buck and I have an agreement.
Yeah, for two hours.
Uh, you went a
little bit over five.
I'll give you that and
only charge you for three.
Uh, with the session guys,
it brings it up to $5,635.
That son of a bitch.
Oh, Wayne.
You wrote a hell of a song.
Sorry you got cut out.
No, it's all right.
You made it way better.
- Appreciate it.
- You're a great singer.
Let's do it again.
See you across the street.
- Yeah.
- All right. Later.
Hey! Hey, wait a minute.
I can't give you the recording
unless you sign this.
I ain't paying for that!
But you needed them.
I was trying to help.
Bullshit! You're
running up the bill.
You ain't never gonna
change. You lying...
- You're the one who's not gonna change.
- ...sleazy mother...
- Come on.
- Hey!
- I'm trying to help you out.
- Get your hands off me!
And this guy.
This guy trusts you with
that great song of his.
- Am I right?
- About what?
It's your song. You
wrote it, didn't you?
Yeah.
Except...
Except what?
My brother and I co-wrote it.
He's dead. What
difference does it make?
No, he's not. He's not dead.
I haven't seen him in
years, but he's not dead.
You should have told me that.
I figured it didn't make a difference.
I'll split my half with him.
Here you go.
- Hey, give me that, Claude.
- Fix it, and fix it fast.
Sorry, Buck.
That's all right.
I'll take care of it.
Claude doesn't own that recording
until the invoice is paid.
I'm really sorry about all this.
I thought Claude had
everything figured out.
Here, let me take a look,
see if I can help you out.
No, it's already
cut to the bone.
So you owe me the money.
I can't afford this.
I'm afraid Claude's taken advantage of
your honest nature, as well as mine.
Ah, don't be embarrassed.
I've seen all this before,
especially with Claude.
I usually don't do this, but I
could set up a payment plan, or...
Or what?
I'm pitching to a major artist,
and I could include
your song in there.
It could mean a lot of money.
What about Claude?
He didn't write it.
You and your brother sign this
release, and we've got a deal.
You don't sign it,
you got 30 days.
Ah! Come on!
Hey, hey, hey, hey! What're
you doing this by yourself for?
I'm not, now that you're here.
Grab a hold of this thing here.
Let's just sit it
right over here.
Thank you. Perfect.
Perfect, perfect.
Whew!
What are you doing with
this old junker, anyhow?
I'm restoring her.
Why?
'Cause she's a classic,
for God's sake.
First thing I ever bought
brand spanking new.
Well, almost new.
I got it when I was on
the road with Claude.
I wish to heck I'd taken
better care of her,
but I can tell you
one thing for sure.
She's gonna get a second
chance at being a beauty.
Just shine her on up
there. She's gonna be nice.
I got some beers in
here. You want one?
Yeah, sure.
Whoa, doggie!
Might want to get a
new one of those, too.
Oh, I grew up with that thing.
There you go.
When I was a kid,
back in Mississippi,
we didn't have a TV.
So, every Saturday night,
we'd circle around this
little baby right here
and we'd listen to
the Grand Ole Opry.
And I'd look to the back of this
thing here, and I'd see these...
glowing tubes, and I
couldn't figure out.
I went, "What makes them glow?"
And you know what
I came up with?
It's the music.
And I still believe that.
Where's ol' Claude?
Don't know.
You okay?
You get it done?
Yeah.
Well, you pleased?
Is Claude happy?
Don't know.
Don't bore me with too
much details here, now.
It's Claude, ain't it?
Well, I shoulda warned you.
He can be an obnoxious ass.
I love him like a brother,
but also like a brother,
I want to kill him
most of the time, too.
And so you got to understand here is that
Claude ain't like all the rest of us.
When he was like
five, six years old,
he was giving professionals
advice on things to do.
And he wasn't shy
about it, either.
And... And people aren't always
comfortable about that.
Well, neither am I.
Well, is your song better now
that Claude got a hold of it?
Yes.
There you go. It's hard.
It's hard for him, too.
Yeah.
Thanks for the beer.
Sit down.
I ain't done with you. Sit.
You know, back in the day,
there wasn't anybody
bigger than Claude.
And then in a heartbeat,
it all went away.
And he went back to playing the
highway joints where he started.
But you know what?
He was happy.
He was happy because he was
playing the music that he loved
to people that loved it.
And that's all that mattered.
None of that other stuff
meant anything to him.
Then his fans started dying off.
He started drinking a
little bit too much.
What's that got to do with me?
Everything.
You got him going again.
Buck wants the song.
That's good. He'll get it out there and
some record label will sign your deal.
He doesn't want the
recording. He wants the song.
Oh.
Does Claude know this?
Don't you think
you owe him that?
Tell you the truth, I'm not
sure I owe him much of anything.
Wayne.
You love making music?
Ever since I was a kid,
it's how I wanted
to make a living.
That ain't what I asked you.
Oh, boy.
What are you doin' up?
Waiting on you.
Buck says we can't use the
demo till we pay for it.
I can't.
Can you?
No.
Then he wants the song.
Did you sign anything?
No.
Thanks.
But I might.
Don't. Please.
Wayne!
You have 30 days.
It must be bad news for
you to come in person.
Just thought I'd drop by.
What do you want?
Can I come in?
How's business?
Right now, I'm busy filling an
order for my distributor in Japan.
Got a good business there.
The internet, you know.
Yeah. That's good.
- Hey, can we talk?
- About what?
"Neon Highway."
I haven't thought about that
in years. What about it?
I'm putting together
a record deal.
You're putting together a deal?
Me and Claude Allen.
I did an installation at his house.
He heard the song. He likes it.
We took it to Nashville
and made a demo.
You sang with Claude Allen?
No, actually, I didn't get to.
Oh. That sucks.
You finally get to the big time,
and you didn't even get to sing.
Yeah.
Listen, we got to sign
this over to the producer
in order to make a deal.
We'll split it 50/50.
You can have it all. I don't
want anything to do with it.
Yeah.
You ever think about
what could have been?
Nope.
When was the last time
you played guitar?
I don't have one.
Look, I gotta get these
rods out today, so...
Good luck with it.
Yeah.
Where you been?
I went to see Lloyd.
He signed the deal with Buck.
How about you?
Not yet.
Good.
'Cause this time tomorrow,
we're gonna be celebrating
after we make a
deal with Ed Brown.
Ed over at Southlane?
- Yep!
- Hey!
Taking it to him in the morning.
Still partners?
This calls for a drink.
Yep. There it is.
Park. Park right here.
Where you going?
I'm staying with you this time.
We're not going in.
We're gonna sit right
here till Ed shows up.
See that sign with his name on
it? That's his parking spot.
I thought you set up a meeting.
That'd be a waste of time.
Too many distractions inside.
He'll be along shortly.
Make yourself comfortable.
Something's up. He shoulda
been here by 10:00.
About the only good
thing I can say about Ed
is he's always been consistent.
You know him that well?
I was his first hitmaker.
Truth is, I helped him
pay for this place.
Back then, I owned
a third of it.
We were like family.
There he is.
Hold on. Hold on. This
is between me and Ed.
It's personal.
When I sold out to
him, he promised
that whenever I wanted him to
release something, he would.
So I'm calling it in.
Now let me do it my way.
Please.
- Hey, Gin.
- Hey.
I only have a second
before the bell rings.
How's it going?
Claude's in a meeting right
now at Southlane Records.
So, are you coming home soon?
Soon.
- Maybe tonight.
- Um, Charley called.
- You told him?
- Well, he asked. I had to.
He's really stuck
his neck out for you.
So if you're not back by tomorrow,
they'll probably fire you both.
Are you hearing me?
Yeah. Yeah.
No, I hear you.
There's the bell. I
gotta get to my class.
Yeah.
Mr. Allen!
Mr. Allen!
How'd it go?
- Didn't.
- Oh, man! I never liked Ed anyway.
And I'm gonna tell you something. He
ain't the only game in town either.
Yes, he is.
No one else will even touch
Claude, and you know it.
What, did he piss off
everyone in this town?
Yeah. More than once.
That's because he is a genius,
and people don't understand him.
No, it's because nobody likes
him. I don't like him either.
I love him, but
I don't like him.
Wayne, sign with Buck.
- It's the only way out of this mess.
- No!
Come on, now!
Claude'll figure
something out here.
Grow up, Ray!
No one will even talk to him,
let alone make a deal with him.
You want me to grow up?
You can't even get over the fact
that he dumped you 30 years ago.
How about you
growing up, Pepper?
I dumped him!
Yeah, right.
We had a deal. Made it legal.
A handshake ain't legal.
Mm. To me, it is.
Sign and go home.
Mr. Collins! Mr. Collins!
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Hold up. Hey.
So, uh, so I've been working on, uh,
something for a while now, a song.
And I been practicing
really hard,
and I was wondering if
I played it for you,
if you thought that, uh,
Mr. Allen would like it.
Go tell him yourself.
I'm going home.
Wait, wait. Whoa, whoa.
Home? Like home home home?
Wait. But wait, what
about... What about your song
And what about your deal?
What about Mr. Allen?
You should go home, too.
I hope you're happy.
None of this makes me happy.
Daddy! Daddy!
Hey! There's my little girl!
- How you doing?
- I got some new tennis shoes.
New tennis shoes? What
happened to your other ones?
Oh, it's a long story.
Well?
I signed the contract
this morning.
Lloyd did, too.
You went to see him?
- Yeah.
- Wow.
Well, you know, if nothing
else good comes out of this,
at least you talked to Lloyd.
I'm gonna go see some shoes.
Do I still got a job?
Ginny called.
Congratulations, man.
You did it!
Ah, I'm still broke.
Well, you won't be for long.
Well, right now,
I just need a job.
Well, let's get you
some work orders.
Thanks.
Oh, just do me a favor, though.
Please, only tell
Bob the bad stuff.
All right? Nothing good. Nothing.
Or I'll never hear the end of it.
Probably never hear
the end of it anyway.
Hey, congratulations, Collins.
How about getting me a
date with Carrie Underwood?
She's happily married there and
I don't think she likes rednecks.
- Ah, come on!
- Congratulations, Mr. Collins.
I heard the news, man.
You gotta be flyin'!
- You going back to sit in on the session?
- Nope.
Why not?
I mean, they'll probably
let you do that, won't they?
Maybe.
You know, for someone that just won the
lottery, you don't seem to care much.
You're right. I don't.
It's ready!
Wayne! Where is he?
I think he's in the garage.
- Hold on. We'll be right back.
- Thanks, Mom.
Dinner's on the table.
The kids are waiting.
Okay.
What are you doing?
We gotta have a garage sale,
pay for Hal's honors program.
I thought you had a deal.
We do.
It's still gotta get
recorded and released.
It's still a long shot.
Wait. You can't
sell your guitar.
It's good for a few bucks.
I don't need it anymore.
What happened in Nashville?
I sold the song.
That's what happened.
The only way I could make the
deal was to force Claude out.
- Is he okay with that?
- It's not his song.
He has to be.
Are you okay with it?
The kids are waiting.
Claude!
Hell no! I have Pam Tillis coming
in here tomorrow for a session.
Well, I don't want to
stab Claude in the back.
I'd stab him in the
stomach if I could.
This is your signature
and your brother's.
It's legal, and there's
nothing you can do to stop it.
So get the hell out of here
or I'll call the police.
Claude here? I need
to talk to him.
He's in the hospital.
What?
Ray was gonna drive him home,
but before they could
leave, he passed out.
Oh, no.
I gotta tell you, he was
pretty down when you left.
We talked him into staying a
while, make sure he was okay, but...
It's all my fault.
No.
It's this damn business.
And the way he's lived.
I'm amazed he's
lasted this long.
I'll tell him you stopped by.
No, I... I'll tell him
myself. Where is he?
Parklane Hospital, downtown.
What the hell?
- What you doing here?
- Figured you was getting lonely.
How is he?
Well, they're doing a bunch
of tests on him right now.
When I saw him, he
didn't look so good.
But he's a tough old bird,
and if anybody can make it
through this, it'll be him.
You gonna stay?
Yeah.
That's good.
Yes, sir. That's real good.
Red nine to black ten.
Ooh, nice.
You think we'll see anything
about Claude on the news?
No. Nobody gives a rat's ass.
Unless he dies. Then they'll
all come flocking in.
This town loves a good funeral.
The hell of it is, all the radio
stations'll be playing his music 24/7,
but he won't be
around to hear it.
Ten.
You know, he never tried
anything like this before.
Thought he could make it
happen, like the old days.
Yeah.
Your song's that good.
It got him going again.
At least for a while.
I thought he might like this.
Take it easy.
How you feeling?
If it ain't hurtin',
it ain't workin'.
You want me to call a nurse?
Nah.
All she'll do is stick
me with another needle.
Go on home. You're
too old for this.
Hangin' around here, you
might catch something.
Well, you can go to hell, 'cause
I'm gonna stay as long as I want.
Elton brought this to you.
He thought you might get
tired of watching the TV.
Ah, tell him thanks.
Wayne's out there. You
want me to go get him?
I don't want nothing
to do with him.
Sorry, Wayne. Maybe he'll
feel better tomorrow.
He doesn't want to
see me, does he?
No.
Can't say I blame him.
Well, I thought
you were partners.
Didn't work out.
Oh.
Does that mean we're not gonna hear
Claude singing your song on the radio?
No, we're not.
Well, why not? I mean,
it's good, ain't it?
It's gotta be, with Claude
and everything, it's got...
Elton, just shut up!
Oh, to hell with this.
I'm not gonna sit around and
just wait for him to die.
Maybe Claude was
right about him.
Yeah.
Southlane Records. Hold, please.
- May I help you?
- Uh, yes, ma'am.
We're experiencing an emergency
on the upstream hard line.
Don't want you to
have a brownout.
Just need a few minutes
in your telecom closet.
- Do you have a work order?
- You bet.
Southlane Records. Yes, sir.
Uh, it's downstairs,
just past the break room.
Uh, I'm sorry, sir...
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls...
Did you find the problem?
You're all set, and you
never sounded better.
I come alive
when they hit me...
Claude Allen.
Yep, I said it, Claude Allen.
He's got a new song out.
Now, I don't know how,
but he's on call waiting
systems everywhere in Nashville.
I'm talking all over the place.
And he's always done
things his own way.
And now he's at it again.
Just listen to this.
Living the dream...
What?
On the neon highway
Playin' this guitar,
singin' my songs
Put me on hold.
Now.
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house down...
Son of a bitch.
Only way I know to do it is...
Pam.
Why didn't you tell me that
was Claude Allen's song?
It's not. I own the rights. See?
Let me tell you something.
Claude Allen was a friend of my daddy's,
and I'm not stealing anything from him.
Matter of fact, neither are you.
And don't you ever
call me again.
- So, I guess the session's canceled?
- Shut up.
I drive on these white lines
Remind me this is
What I was born to do
Livin' the dream
on a neon highway
Playin' this guitar,
singin' my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
Only way I know to do
it Is to do it my way
Livin' the dream
on the neon highway
I know, Max. It's all
over the TV news too.
- Oh, Wayne.
- I gotta go.
Have you heard?
How'd you do it?
- How'd I do what?
- Come on, now.
You got it out there somehow.
Oh, the song. Yeah. You know,
I heard something about that.
Whatever happened
probably ain't legal,
or whoever did in a
whole bunch of trouble.
Is Claude happy?
Happy don't describe it. He wants
to see you. You wait right here.
That's just... That's
righteous, man.
This is righteous.
Only way I know to do
it Is to do it my way
Livin' the dream
on the neon highway
Neon highway
Hey.
I look like hell, don't I?
You never were pretty.
You're smarter than you look.
How'd you do it?
I just did what
I know how to do.
You'll probably get fired.
Yeah, or worse.
But the song's out there now.
No one can change that.
You're right.
- I'll let you get some rest.
- Wayne.
Up against the wall.
That case.
Bring it here.
Up here.
Open it.
Close it.
Take it.
I can't.
I ain't askin', I'm tellin'.
I don't think I'm gonna
make it out of this joint.
If you don't take
it, the lawyers will.
I've done all I know how to do.
Now it's up to you, son.
Mm?
Mm?
Yeah.
He gave me this. He's
not thinking clear.
Why don't you hang
on to it for him?
No.
He knows exactly
what he's doing.
Hey, you earned it.
Where are you going?
Nowhere.
What you doing?
Holding your hand, you old fool.
Mm. That's nice.
Can you ever forgive
me for kicking you out?
I don't blame you for nothin'.
In that case, we gotta
get you out of here.
Hm. That an invitation?
Yeah.
I like the feel of
your hand in mine.
Feels good.
Like old times.
Yeah.
I figured you'd stop by.
- I heard it.
- Yeah?
And?
You gave me all the credit.
Why?
I figured you'd get
a kick out of that.
Did you?
Yeah. Yeah, I did.
I want to show you something.
That's an original White Falcon.
It was Claude's.
He gave it to me.
Every song he ever wrote
was with that guitar.
He wouldn't let anybody touch
it. I learned that the hard way.
It's yours.
No, I, uh...
I... I don't play.
It's, um... It's
been too long, and...
If it's in your soul,
it doesn't go away.
Well...
I gotta go see if I
still have a job or not.
Hey, by the way, I was thinking.
Would you want to come
by for dinner Sunday?
Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that.
Everybody says we wrote
a pretty good song.
Maybe we ought to try again.
Let me think about it.
Well, I won't do it without you.
I'll see you Sunday.
And, uh...
Don't forget your guitar.
I don't do it for the money
I don't do it for the girls
I come alive when they hit
me With the bright lights
That's the kind of
rush I'm looking for
Longneck lies And
smoke-filled barrooms
Fit me like a pair
of broken boots
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
The only way I know to
do it Is to do it my way
Living the dream
on a neon highway
This neon highway
No, you don't
get to choose it
No, this life chooses you
Every country mile I
drive on these white lines
Remind me that this is
What I was born to do
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
The only way I know to
do it Is to do it my way
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Neon highway
Shinin' like the
stars up in the sky
Just wanna see my name
On the marquee sign
Living the dream
on a neon highway
Playing this guitar,
singing my songs
A troubadour on a
dive bar big stage
Rockin' the house
down all night long
The only way I know to
do it Is to do it my way
Living the dream
on a neon highway
The neon highway
The neon highway
The neon highway
The neon highway
Mmm