Johnny Master is a young, handsome country singer-songwriter who leaves his family behind in West Virginia, moves to Nashville, and stakes everything on a career in the music industry. Upon his move to Nashville, he is taken in by a tavern owner, Maude, who believes in him from the moment he walks into her club. Johnny's career takes off, and as it does, the temptations that so often accompany success in the music industry come with it.

Johnny's life descends into a maelstrom of licentiousness and debauchery. Maude and others try to save him, but is it too late? Johnny cedes control of his career to his ruthless manager Jerry Morales, who cares nothing about his talent as an authentic songwriter and artist. All of Johnny's prodigious talents are subsumed by the call of commercialism.

Meanwhile, an unnamed singer, woman, priest, and scientist emerge from the bowels of the earth to embark on a dreamlike venture in the arctic, ice regions. The singer is their spiritual leader, demonstrating at every turn that he has a heart of gold. He and his group are the prototypes of a new generation of humankind, and as they make their way, they encounter one set of dangers and surprises after another.

The truth finally hits the two men, and they realize that their journeys are not what they had been led to believe. As these two stories converge, Johnny and the singer face a battle for their very souls.