While big names passed through the club, that wasn’t what made it special. The true value it held was shown in how the community treated the club. People would come from all over the East Coast to enjoy and revel in the music. The club didn’t just offer music, it offered the African American community an escape from the racism they experienced in Chestertown. Despite the segregated spaces of Chestertown, the club provided a space for the African American community to be themselves, and express their culture and identity.

When the club was eventually torn down during the summer of 1988, it meant the end of the Chitlin’ Circuit in Chestertown. However, it was also a loss for the community members who used it as a safe haven. There are stories of community members racing to the club to say their final goodbyes to the dance floor. This shows what an impact that the club had on this community. It also shows how powerful music can be in bringing a community together.

In 2014, Chestertown celebrated “Legacy Day”, which was dedicated to remembering the legacy of Charlie Graves, and the impact he had on Chestertown with this small club. Everyone who was touched by the club remembers the name Charlie Grave and the legacy he left, one song at a time.

– Kamden Richardson

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