The Red Woodloe Story

S1, E14: For years it has been rumored that Red Woodloe, one of the country's best-known folk composers, is dead. Shirley Partridge recognizes the famous composer when passing by an obscure country church and gets Reuben to try to get Red. The old musician, who has been passing the hat after fiddling on street corners, at first, seems overjoyed at the prospect of playing with one of the hottest recording groups in the country. Woodloe has visions of Woodstock as Reuben searches around for possible bookings. To the Partridge Family's dismay, no one wants to book Red because he's been away from things for so long. Determined that the famous folk composer be given a chance to be heard, Shirley gets Reuben to book him into their act. Just as he's about to be introduced, Red Woodloe sneaks out a back door and runs out on an audience and a family, the Partridges who had virtually made him one of their clan. Returning to the old rustic church where she discovered him, Shirley finds Red by himself strumming his guitar. With a pep talk from her and Tracy, the youngest Partridge, Red is given one last booking. Overcoming his stage fright by using rustic humor to loosen up his audience, Red jokes and sings his way into the hearts of the audience. When Reuben says Red could make thousands of dollars by traveling with his act, Red declines. No amount of money could buy the kind of fellowship and freedom he enjoys with his simple way of life.