Johnny Flannigan developed a sixth sense about trouble at an early age: it always happens when youre not dressed.

Johnny grew up in a ragtag family full of what other folk called characters. His dad and mother, who lived on small change and laughs, had Johnny late in life. But when Johnny was seventeen, things began to look up. He and his new friend, Jesse Davidson, teamed up with Eddie Freeman, a fast-talking kid who would later became manager for the singing duo, Jesse and Johnny. Together, the three boys began to make a little money, learning the entertainment business by trial and error.

Eddie will do whatever it takes to make his friends (and clients) into superstars. Johnny loses his heart to a faithful hometown girl named Joyce, and all is bliss—that is, until Ruby Van-Heusen, an older woman with more than enough money (but not enough scruples), steps in with her own agenda.

When Levi, Johnny's unpredictable older brother, follows him to Hollywood with big dreams of his own, Johnny's world spins out of control even more. In an effort to regain a bit of balance, Johnny and his partners form a record company which in turn brings on some unwelcome surprises, including the Mob.

From Indiana to New York and then Hollywood, Johnny's life is never short on adventure, laughs, heartbreak—or the struggle it takes to never give up.