Sam, a divorced ad exec, loses his son in a university shooting. At the wake at his ex wife's house, he meets his son's SO, Kate. Two years later, after many bottles of booze, he lives on his yacht and works as a house painter. He meets up with his two workmates after work at a bar. He keeps his past a secret. When his ex finally tracks him down to get his signature to sell their house, she leaves him their son's music things including recordings of his own songs. Sam brings his guitar to the open mic night at the bar and sings his son's song. He gets his first fan, Quentin, who sees potential. Quentin manages to convince Sam to start a band/quartet (Rudderless) playing "Sam's" songs.