Nashville Girl (1976) – Nostalgia Central

After being raped by a neighbouring farm boy, Kentucky teenager Jamie (Monica Gayle in her major film debut) escapes from her religious father (who believes in taking the strap to his daughter) to pursue a career as a singer inspired by Country & Western idol Jeb Hubbard (Glenn Corbett).

She arrives in Nashville with her guitar, very little money, a pretty face, and the determination to succeed.

Her path to stardom, though, is paved with sordid sexual encounters, a stint as a masseuse, a spell in juvenile detention (complete with a domineering female warden), and the bed of a record producer.

Christened with the new name Melody Mason, she’s destined to rise up the charts, but at what price?

Despite a lurid storyline, the movie isn’t unpleasant, and the photography and sound production are excellent.

Melody’s singing voice is provided by Jamie Kay, and the music track is far superior to Robert Altman’s Nashville (1975). Real-life Country star Johnny Rodriguez sings one song and wisely stays out of the plot.

Jamie (Melody Mason)
Monica Gayle
Jamie Kay (Singing voice)
Jeb Hubbard
Glenn Corbett
Kelly
Roger Davis
Johnny Rodriguez
Himself
C.Y. Ordell
Jesse White
Alice
Marcie Barkin
Frisky
Shirley Jo Finney
Fran
Judith Roberts
Burt
Leo Gordon
Jerry
Byron Warner
Kathy
Diana Murrell
Carl
Adrian Marshall
Mishmash
Jonathan Leitz
Matron
Barbara Moore
Ben Sr.
Jack Irvin
Mother
Jane J. Jones
Jeremy
Phillip R. Jones
Ben Jr.
Martin L. Clayton III
Clay
Donald W. McCormick
Fred
Irv Kane
Laura
Dawn Gable
Meredith
Chris George
Ray
Phillip Padgett
Lois
Mary S. Harkey
Bill
Robert McCrary
Jake
Charles Hughes
Sheila
Judy Swint
Jeb’s Band
Rory Bourke
Gene Dobbins
Tony Hailey
Nick Hunter
Robert Seymour
Jerry Hooker
Pete Blue
Jeb’s Road Manager
Lamar Card

Director
Gus Trikonis

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