Gone Barefoot show summaries (re-issue of season 7)

Here it is, the final dramatic season!

#79 - Jan. 7, 2018: "The Great Invitation"
It starts out as another ordinary day in the house of 13, until mailman Braylor delivers news that could change everything.  A newsletter tells of plans for the King David International Cultural Festival, which will be the largest gathering of entertainers and cultural interpreters ever assembled.  It will take place in New Jerusalem later this year.  The United States will be one of the countries that will have a full-scale presentation, and auditions will take place to determine the performers.  Buddy Wayne immediately fills out the paperwork and sends it back to the State Department, which is endorsing the contest.  Also, Brandy and Hylton take on some familiar foes at a ballroom dance competition in Germany, and Brenda unveils her new Southern-cuisine cookbook at a local five-and-dime.
#80 - Jan. 14, 2018: "The Audition"

B.W. attends the Southeast regional audition for the KDICF at the historic Fox Theater in Atlanta.  After a pitch-perfect version of the Hank Williams classic "Hey, Good Lookin'," B.W. easily advances to the next round.  Meanwhile, farm work continues at home; Ellie becomes mother to a baby calf, Noah's whole class goes out to harvest paw paw trees, and Bunky goes into town to buy new one-man band equipment.
#81 - Jan. 21, 2018: "Mud Lovin' Hambone"
Hambone is a first-time guest at Mingo Mud Bog, a recreational facility for cars and trucks located in Sampson County operated by the Phillips family, some of whom she has known for years.  She ends up competing in a race that could net her a few thousand dollars, which would help her pay for her youth ministry.  In fact, this episode is full of competition: Popeye, Ralph, and Harvey compete at a local contest of gospel singers, cousin Beth plays along with a British televised baking competition (which she thinks she can win), and Big and One Man Gang have their rematch at Aftermath, a pay-per-view of Miss Hambone's Ultimate Championship Wrestling.
#82 - Jan. 28, 2018: "Someone Has to Love the Bad Guy"
Hambone stuns the family again.  This time, Mark "One Man Gang" Palmertree, who plays the worst villain character in UCW, proposes her hand in marriage, to which 'Bone accepts!  When asked why, she merely replies with the phrase that is the title of this episode.  We also have another race at Bentonville Speedway, this time with Bill Miller, the successful race-car driver who is the source of Bunky's nickname. Finally, Popeye uncovers another singer in the family tree and we meet him at his home in Florida.
#83 - Mar. 11, 2018: "Striving Toward a Dream"
(The program had been suspended due to Super Bowl LII, the 2018 Winter Olympics, and the 90th Academy Awards.)
Buddy Wayne goes through two more grueling rounds of auditions, one a week-long "boot camp" at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and then one more solo performance showcasing his singing talent.  After that round, he goes backstage to await the results.  In addition, Brandy is honored with a special night by the Carolina Hurricanes, the pro hockey team she once worked for; and two more cousins - Betty Lou and Lindsay - prepare the Barefoot Mommas Club for their next event with treatments at the cousins' salon.
#84 - Mar. 18, 2018: "A Dream Comes True"
Buddy Wayne makes the walk of judgment to a backstage room.  There, he gets the word from the judges that he has been chosen to appear in America's show at the King David International Cultural Festival!  He is among 15 or so acts chosen from all over the country to perform in a show for which the details will be arranged soon.  B.W. then calls everyone on a cell phone, and through a bullhorn connected to a secret electrical outlet, the rest of the house gets the news.  Brenda cries openly, the kids are giddy, and the other adults are besides themselves.
#85 - Mar. 25, 2018: "Show Preparation"
At Buddy Wayne's suggestion, all 13 members of the clan living at his house will be given roles in the show, to be called Back Down Home because, as he says, "we want to celebrate America going back to its roots, which are down home [in the country]."  It will involve gospel singing by Popeye, Ralph, and Harvey; a Bible reading by Brenda, Annie, Jennifer, and Brandy; a ballroom dance by Brandy and her partner; a one-man band parade led by Bunky; a Wild West skit starring Bryson; and a body percussion performance by Hambone.  The closing act will be a new song of the same name as the show, sung by B.W. and Brittany Spears off B.W.'s lyrics.  He will incorporate classic country, bluegrass, and blues influences.
#86 - Apr. 8, 2018: "Their Turn to Shine"
(There was no episode the previous week due to Easter.)
Brenda is grand marshal of Benson Mule Days, as the celebration continues of the New Jerusalem show.  Beth goes to the North Carolina State Fair, where she wins a number of awards for her baking skills and performs a series of popular demonstrations.  Elsewhere in the family tree, cousin Sammy Bizzell goes to Los Angeles to film the latest season of America's Next Top Model.
#87 - Apr. 15, 2018: "Take Care - TCB"
While preparing to go to the New Jerusalem show, B.W. has to make sure that his farm duties are not neglected.  He decides to name the new family calf Emma and invites cousin Nathaniel Bunn - a champion breeder - to take care of her full-time.  Meanwhile, the kids - not only Belinda and Bryson but also a number of schoolmates - sweep all the fruit trees to make sure all the trees are harvested properly.  But there's still time for some fun, as Brenda joins Annie at the Beasleys' fashion show in Benson.
#88 - Apr. 22, 2018: "Fore and After"
Bud Strickland joins in the well-wishes at the annual golf tournament fundraiser for Strickland's fund that helps pay for athletes' uniforms, playing equipment, and even college scholarships.  He gives them a pin that depicts a cardinal that he wants Buddy Wayne to wear during the show.  As for his golf game, it's lacking, but he somehow gets Dennis Herring - a cousin and college golf coach - to be his partner in the best-ball competition!  Jennifer's second book - a thriller based in Charleston just before the start of the American Civil War - is published, and Harvey and Bryson work on improving the treehouse.
#89 - Apr. 29, 2018: "Sending Off"
The clan experiences the first taste of what they are about to experience as they make publicity appearances on TV and radio shows across the country.  They also make time to attend what is the equivalent of a bachelor party, as Benny (another of the cousins) plays 1950s versions of popular hit songs and cracks jokes at his club, Brother Love's.
#90 - May 6, 2018: "Countdown to Back Down Home"
After a long plane flight, the clan show up in Jerusalem and spend a night in their hotel.  The next few days are spent in extended rehearsals, at which B.W. and Brittany have trouble nailing their new duet, Brenda worries about re-enacting her first encounter with Bryson (until she's assured it's on videotape), Bunky struggles with his one-man band music, and Hambone worries about, well, everything.  Meanwhile, Ralph attends another one of the King David shows and has a crush on one of the dancers in Ireland's show, and Popeye nonchalantly completes a very long crossword puzzle.
#91 - May 13, 2018: "Back Down Home: The Show (3 hours)"

This episode features the entire completed show, which lasts nearly two hours and is presented commercial-free.  It starts with some warm-up comedy, and continues with performances, speeches, and reflections from all 13 as well as their extended clan, friends, and co-workers.  Highlights included a grand parade of American heroes and icons, Miss Hambone's finest performance ever, a Biblical reading, and the world premiere of the title song in which bluegrass, blues, and classic country music come together.  This is followed by a live panel discussion with everyone.