The Emerson family consists of father Phil, mother Jan, and their two sons Donnie and Joe. In the late 1970s, inspired by the success of acts like the Bee Gees, they decided to record an album in their home studio in rural North Carolina. Phil, a preacher, wrote the songs while Jan and the boys provided backing vocals and instrumentation.
Though they lacked professional training, the family put their hearts and souls into the project, pouring their hopes and dreams into the music. When they finished recording, they pressed just 1,000 copies of the album - enough to give to their friends, family, and congregation.
For years, the Emersons lived a quiet life, never suspecting that their little-known album would one day become a cult classic. But in the 2000s, music collectors began searching for hidden gems from the past, and "Dreamin' Wild" started to gain a following.
As the film opens, Donnie is working in a bar, dissatisfied with his life and struggling to connect with his family. When a group of music journalists visit the bar seeking him out, he is surprised to learn that his parents' album is now highly sought-after and considered a masterpiece by some.
As Donnie begins to unearth old recordings and photos, memories from his childhood flood back. He recalls how the family poured everything they had into the album, seen as a chance to finally make it in the music business. With help from Jan's wealthy father and support from local studios, the Emersons were on their way.
But as they encountered industry gatekeepers, unscrupulous managers, and musical trends that didn't fit their sound, the dream turned into a nightmare. The novel approach that helped give the family a distinct identity ultimately made it difficult to market, and they were unable to gain mainstream traction.
Their strained relationships and fading dreams contributed to the dissolution of the family's unity, culminating in tragedy that left emotional scars and fractured relationships for years to come.
As Donnie reconnects with his parents and brother, he realizes the impact that their pursuit of music had on their lives. With emotional honesty, he grapples with the choices and sacrifices his family made and tries to make peace with the past, finding new ways to bring their music into the world and honor the legacy of their collective dream.
