Sam Doonby ( John Schneider ) is a mysterious drifter who gets off a bus one afternoon in a small Texas town to change and improve the lives of all he comes in contact with . It is a story of greed and envy , played out against the backdrop of the classic country and blues music that is performed in Leroy ’s Bar . The film has been described by the producers as '' Crazy Heart '' - meets - '' It 's A Wonderful Life '' , while Schneider described it as " '' It 's A Wonderful Life '' without the Wonderful . " The film was shot on location in Smithville , Texas . '' Doonby '' was released through crowdsource funding . It previewed during the 64th annual 2011 Cannes Film Festival . It received a limited release in February 2012 to be followed by wider release in the United States during the spring . The film was given wide release on February 17 , 2012 by Freestyle Releasing In 2014 distribution company CMD Distribution obtained DVD distribution rights
2011 Cannes Film Festival
2011 Cannes Film Festival
Doonby