[3] The film focuses on the troubles of Lead Belly's youth in the segregated South including his time in prison, and his efforts to use his music to gain release.

Huddie Ledbetter leaves his father's house just barely into his twenties and arrives at a brothel on Fannin Street in Shreveport run by Miss Eula, who nicknames him Leadbelly and has him play at the bar.

He soon leaves on a train to Silver City where he meets Blind Lemon Jefferson and they start playing shows together.

After he leaves prison, he returns to Fannin Street, sees it has lost its former glory, and he is reunited with Miss Eula.

The film ends with a title card stating that Leadbelly was released from prison and pursued his music career.