Young Vince Everett goes to prison for accidentally killing a man in a barroom brawl while defending a young woman's honor. After Everett's cellmate teaches him how to play guitar and encourages him to sing, Everett's swiveling, electrifying performance at a jailhouse concert leads to stardom. But fame quickly gives Everett an oversized ego, and only the loss of his voice and the loyalty of his friends as he struggles to sing again teach Everett to appreciate his good fortune.