At the end of the Second World War, American soldiers received a triumphant welcome.
Private Donny Novitsky is overcome with grief and guilt over the loss of his best friend, Michael. He is determined to rebuild his life and pick up his music career where it left off. However, after several years of absence he was replaced by younger musicians who play in the trendiest clubs in Cleveland.
When NBC announces a national competition to find the best swing group, Donny makes a plan. He recruits a group of veterans, all musicians. All suffer from the trauma of war.
They are soon joined by Julia Trojan, Michael's widow and singer. She too struggles with her grief, but she and Donny soon form a talented writing duo.
The group wins the Ohio State contest. Musicians are flabbergasted when they learn that the competition is a marketing plan and that there is no financial payback.
But the group is determined to make a name for itself in New York while staying true to their stories of struggling veterans.
Discover some extracts from Bandstand: