In Nashville, there are 10,000 singer-songwriters chasing success... with one chance in a million of getting it. For Miranda ''no relation to Elvis'' Presley (Samantha Mathis), that's one chance worth taking.

Fresh from New York City, Miranda befriends three fellow hopefuls: shy Connecticut cowboy Kyle Davidson (Dermot Mulroney); Southern Belle Linda Lue Linden (Sandra Bullock); and James Wright (River Phoenix), a cocky Texan with brooding good looks and a honeyed voice.

Together they begin a rocky ride down Music City's well-worn highway, finding hope, heartbreak, happiness... and The Thing Called Love. Acclaimed director Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon) presents a dynamic, music-filled film that features Phoenix in one of his final roles (and his only singing one), as well as a showy part for Bullock, who would rocket to stardom the following year in Speed.