For 50 years, the Bitch read you in countless live performances in gay clubs across the South. Now, it’s your turn to read Atlanta drag legend Charlie Brown’s incredible trailblazing life story.
Limited Copies Left!
Non-Fiction
US Trade 6x9, Hardcover w/dust jacket, 246 pages, color photos.
October 1, 2024
**THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!** From coming out to his commanding officer at the height of the Vietnam War, surviving the AIDS Crisis and MAGA Drag bans, “Mr. Charlie Brown: Bitch of the South” takes readers behind the scenes of the legendary drag performer’s 75-year unapologetic out-and-proud life. Readers have an all-access backstage pass as Charlie creates his iconic drag persona at Nashville’s Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon, becomes a star in Atlanta at the Sweet Gum Head and an AIDS fundraising warrior. All of this prepares Charlie for his greatest role as the namesake emcee at Charlie Brown’s Cabaret, high atop Atlanta’s legendary three-story, 24-hour gay disco Backstreet.
This long-awaited hilarious and heartfelt memoir by Atlanta drag legend Mr. Charlie Brown takes readers on an unforgettable and unapologetic 75-year out-and-proud life journey.
From growing up as the grandson of a Missionary Baptist preacher in rural Tennessee and fleeing his small town to creating his inimitable drag persona in 1971 onstage at Nashville’s Watch Your Hat & Coat Saloon, readers have an all-access backstage pass.
Charlie takes you into the ladies room where he’s introduced to Fred Wise, the love of his life — by Fred’s wife. Onstage in Atlanta at the legendary drag club The Sweet Gum Head at the height of disco, Charlie Brown is transformed into a star. But in 1981, when the Gum Head suddenly shutters and an unnamed virus begins killing his friends, Charlie becomes an overnight AIDS fundraising warrior.
Along the way, he counsels a young drag performer named RuPaul, gets arrested (in drag) for indecent exposure, unwittingly becomes a cross-country drug mule, fights for the inclusion of drag queens in the Atlanta Pride parade and kicks the asses of multiple drunk homophobic rednecks.
These life experiences prepare Charlie for his greatest role — a 15-year residency as the namesake emcee at Charlie Brown’s Cabaret, high atop Atlanta’s infamous three-story, 24-hour gay disco Backstreet, where he entertains the likes of Elton John, Janet Jackson, Queen Latifah, and Madonna. The cabaret’s global notoriety leads to Charlie and Backstreet’s pivotal role in the HBO documentary “Dragtime.”
He is the recipient of the 2022 Phoenix Award, the city of Atlanta’s highest honor, presented to him by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a ceremony at Atlanta City Hall.
Scene: Charlie Brown’s Cabaret, Backstreet Atlanta, Midtown Atlanta, October 26, 2003, 12:05 am
I was touching up my blush in the backstage dressing room when management called from downstairs with an urgent message — Janet Jackson, her Atlanta record producer-rapper boyfriend Jermaine Dupri, a caravan of black SUVs and a Bentley were on their way to Backstreet. Management also had one small request for the head bitch of Charlie Brown’s Cabaret, namely me — clear out all of the tables up front for the pop music icon and her friends.
I only had one problem — it was just after midnight on a Saturday and Midtown Atlanta’s 24 hour gay disco, the Studio 54 of the South, was packed to the rafters. But my drag persona Charlie Brown didn’t earn the title “The Bitch of the South” for nothing. So I strolled out on stage and pointed. “Listen up, bitches, I need this table, this table, and this table to move. “Why?” the audience asked. I put a hand on my hip and replied, “’Cause Janet Jackson’s ass is gonna be sittin’ there in about five minutes!”
Turns out, when the name in lights over the stage is yours, people tend to listen.
A few minutes later, Janet, Jermaine, their security detail and their friends were discreetly escorted upstairs. They sat down, management brought over some comped drinks and I welcomed them to our show. I shot “Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty” my most demure smile and somehow managed the bravado to look her straight in the eye and say, “You have a front row seat for one of the best drag shows you will ever see. Enjoy.”
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