Hoping to become a country music star, Miranda Presley (Samantha Mathis) moves from New York to Nashville, Tenn. She gets a job waiting tables at the renowned Bluebird Cafe, where she meets other would-be singer-songwriters, including James Wright (River Phoenix) and Kyle Davidson (Dermot Mulroney), the two men who will battle for her heart. Linda Lue Linden (Sandra Bullock) offers female friendship as they all struggle to achieve fame -- or at least respectability.