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to u r sto p: g ray j o n es Co u nty | satu r day even i n g 129 129 129 129 129 Darryl Brown standing on the concrete slab that was The Manhattan Country Club that his father, the late Eddie James Brown, built in the 1940s. Collier trumpeted his way up Old Gray Highway (US 129) north, where Adams Lounge, Club 15, and The Manhattan Country Club heralded rural crowds to dance oors from across counties. Right at the intersection of US 129 and Hwy 18, only a concrete slab remains of The Manhattan, which hosted Ray Charles, BB King, Little Richard, and local talent. "A lot of artists got their start here," said Darryl Brown, 58, last operator of the marketable destination. Brown's father, the late Eddie James Brown, constructed the brick club during the 1940s. Amenities for Chitlin' Circuit entertainers, their entourage, and Gray's Black community included roughly 10 motel rooms adjacent to the club; both indoor and outdoor dance oors; and a public swimming pool for summer events. Darryl's Mom, the late Evelyn Brown, held down the kitchen. "People came for her fried chicken as much as they did the music," said Darryl. "All the stars had a platform because my Daddy also had a full setup ready for them to use – drums, guitars, and a piano." D O Head further north into the railroad station town, and 129 becomes West Clinton Street. At Main Street Gray, an outdoor exhibit dedicated to the late "King of Soul" Otis Redding greets travelers with a jumbo record and sleeve sculpture. The historical marker chronicles his life story. Born in Dawson, Georgia, in 1941, Redding and his family relocated to Macon where he competed in talent shows at the Douglass Theatre. After early success in the music industry, he purchased 300 acres called Big "O" Ranch in the northeast part of Jones County. Redding's ranch served as his Southern sanctuary to sh, hunt, garden, swim, and raise Black Angus cattle after performing. D I N e Directly across the street from The Manhattan slab is Scooter's Co ee at 615 Landmark Point Blvd, serving an assortment of pastries, breakfast sandwiches, fruit smoothies, and specialty co ees. Place an order then "scoot" around the drive-thru around for pickup. Its signature Caramelicious®: Delish! For a Gray institution since 1958, grab a pulled pork plate from Old Clinton Barbecue at 4214 Gray Hwy., a hop and a skip from the Otis Redding marker. Gloria Walker (center), Lonnie West (back left), Emmett Green (back center), Oscar Havior (back right), and James Havior (drums) performing at the Blue Note in Milledgeville, Georgia, circa 1968. Photo courtesy of Georgia College Special Collections. Otis Redding outdoor exhibit at Main Street Station in Gray, Georgia. GRAY MACON 60 maconmagazine.com | June/July 2024