Blue Valley Songbird
Blue Valley Songbird is a 1999 American musical drama television film directed by Richard A. Colla, written by Ken Carter and Annette Haywood-Carter, and starring Dolly Parton, John Terry, and Billy Dean. It is based on the song from Parton's 1998 album Hungry Again. It was filmed in Nashville, Tennessee and originally premiered on Lifetime on November 1, 1999.
Plot
Country singer Leanna Taylor struggles to escape from her controlling manager/boyfriend Hank, as well as her troubled past. After turning to her guitarist Bobby, Leanna finally faces her past, including her estranged mother and the death of her father.Through flashbacks, Leanna's father is shown to be an abusive and controlling man who would not allow Leanna to sing for anyone but himself, and once, viciously attacked a boy Leanna was playing with while, in the present, during this particular flashback, Hank attacks one of Leanna's musicians in a jealous rage. Leanna finds herself reliving painful memories of her controlling father, awakened by Hank's domineering behavior. In another flashback, Leanna's father threatens her after she hits him with a tire iron while he is physically abusing Leanna's mother. Leanna's mother eventually sent her off to Nashville where, free of her father, she joined a church choir.
In the end, Leanna is able to escape from Hank and reconcile with her mother before entering the studio to cut her first record. The film ends with Leanna singing "Blue Valley Songbird" in concert with Hank watching from the back of the room before leaving.
Cast
Songs
There was no official soundtrack released, but some songs are available on other Dolly releases as noted below."Blue Valley Songbird" - Written and Performed by Dolly Parton
"I Hope You're Never Happy" - Written by Dolly Parton
Performed by Dolly Parton featuring Billy Dean
"Wildflowers" - Written and Performed by Dolly Parton
"We Might Be In Love" - Written by Dolly Parton
Performed by Dolly Parton and Billy Dean
"My Blue Tears" - Written and Performed by Dolly Parton
"Runaway Feeling" - Written by Dolly Parton
Performed by Dolly Parton featuring Billy Dean
"Amazing Grace" - Written by John Newton
Performed by Dolly Parton
"Angel Band" -
Performed by Dolly Parton