Charlie's Place podcast

Charlie's Place

How did a Black man in 1940s Jim Crow South open a club where Black and white people danced together? Charlie’s Place was revolutionary, and that meant it was dangerous. In this 5-part series, host Rhym Guissé explores the unbelievable true story of Charlie Fitzgerald, a mysterious Black businessman whose nightclub became an unlikely site of integration in 1940s Myrtle Beach. Charlie broke down racial barriers through the power of music and dance, hosting some of the greatest musicians of our time: Little Richard, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, and many more. But who was Charlie? How did he rise to power? And what price did he pay for achieving the impossible—an integrated club in the Jim Crow South? This is a story of joy and passion that erupted into violence and changed a community forever. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to binge the entire season early & ad-free in [Apple Podcasts] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charlies-place/id1823737633) or at [Pushkin.fm/plus.] (http://pushkin.fm/plus)

How did a Black man in 1940s Jim Crow South open a club where Black and white people danced together? Charlie’s Place was revolutionary, and that meant it was dangerous. In this 5-part series, host Rhym Guissé explores the unbelievable true story of Charlie Fitzgerald, a mysterious Black businessman whose nightclub became an unlikely site of integration in 1940s Myrtle Beach. Charlie broke down racial barriers through the power of music and dance, hosting some of the greatest musicians of our time: Little Richard, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, and many more. But who was Charlie? How did he rise to power? And what price did he pay for achieving the impossible—an integrated club in the Jim Crow South? This is a story of joy and passion that erupted into violence and changed a community forever. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to binge the entire season early & ad-free in [Apple Podcasts] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/charlies-place/id1823737633) or at [Pushkin.fm/plus.] (http://pushkin.fm/plus)

 

#6

Episode 5: All Costs

“You know, that incident was what many of us consider the ugliest black molar in our... more

18 Aug 2025

41 MINS

41:05

18 Aug 2025


#5

Episode 4: Mr. Nobody From Nowhere

“And in the minds of many, Charlie Fitzgerald's dance hall becomes the worst fears o... more

11 Aug 2025

37 MINS

37:47

11 Aug 2025


#4

Episode 3: Power Cedes to Power

“He helped people. He loaned people. He wasn't to be trifled with” Charlie Fit... more

04 Aug 2025

30 MINS

30:54

04 Aug 2025


#3

Episode 2: Sin City

“All the dancers wanted that black music. Why? Because it had a danceable backbeat.&... more

28 Jul 2025

33 MINS

33:20

28 Jul 2025


#2

Episode 1: Whispering Pines

“Myrtle Beach was a good place, if you stay in your place, I’ll put it like th... more

22 Jul 2025

32 MINS

32:43

22 Jul 2025


#1

Introducing Charlie’s Place

Beloved. Notorious. Defiant. Folk hero. These are just a few ways to describe Charlie Fitz... more

14 Jul 2025

03 MINS

03:25

14 Jul 2025