Gregg Brafford was a 66-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place in his home in Belmont, North Carolina. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1956. He graduated with a BS in Business from UNC Charlotte. He was employed as a salesman and as a manager, part owner, and owner of several bars in Charlotte including Oleens, the New Brass Rail, Central Station, and the Woodshed.
In his second interview, Gregg Brafford, who managed and owned several LGBTQ+ bars in Charlotte, North Carolina, including Oleens, the New Brass Rail, Central Station, and the Woodshed, continues to discuss LGBTQ+ bars and restaurants in Charlotte through the 2020s. [All times are approximate] [00:00] Mr. Brafford discusses his knowledge of early gay bars in Charlotte, including a bar on Wilkinson Boulevard where gay men gathered in a back room [the Casablanca?]; a bar on North Tryon called the Neptune which had drag performances and whose patrons met yearly at Oleens for commemorations; a bar on Kings Drive next to the Center Theater; and a pool room on East Blvd. He talks about early popular cruising locations in uptown Charlotte and Freedom Park. [09:00] He details the history of the original Brass Rail located on South Tryon and Morehead St. where waitress Oleen Love encouraged a gay clientele. He outlines how the New Brass Rail got established by Don Robinson on Wilkinson Blvd. He discusses other LGBT bars that followed, including Nikki's Express on East Blvd., the Odyssey [later Charades] that started above the original Brass Rail and eventually moved to the Plaza and Eastway. [19:20] Mr. Brafford discusses bartenders at Oleens and Scorpios. He describes the elaborate farewell celebrations at Oleens and the new Brass Rail when they closed. He explains how many gay bars closed due to competition, gentrification, and arson. [31:43] He describes Tags, a gay bar on the Plaza; Club Mix, a Black gay bar on South Tryon; Steven's restaurant on Rensselaer Ave in Dilworth [renamed Liaisons and later The Bar at 316]; Central Station on Central Ave., which he owned for several years; and the Woodshed on Queen City Drive close to I85, which he owned for twenty-two years. [46:30] Mr. Brafford discusses his membership in the Tradesmen organization in Charlotte, one of the oldest leather clubs in the nation and a local supporter of the House of Mercy in Belmont, North Carolina, and their fundraising efforts. He reflects on how Charlotte was known for its gay bars in the later twentieth century. [56:15] He reflects on local Baptist minister, Joseph Chambers who frequently protested against LGBTQ people and places. [59:40] He outlines the history of Chasers bar on the Plaza and his association with Nick Wilds, who owned Chasers, as well as Scorpios, the Joy Bookstore and other local LGBTQ businesses, and who brought the Miss Gay North Carolina America Pageant to Charlotte. [1:07:27] He talks about his most significant mentors in the bar business, Don Robinson, Jerry McManus, and Clark Gilleland, the lessons he learned, how he survived, and the contemporary role of gay bars
