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Daddy Meets Gershwin on Folly Beach in 1934

Blog By Nancy Crosland Taylor

It was 1934 – summertime in Charleston. My father was there; he was a first-year student at the Medical University, just starting out on his lifetime dream of being a doctor, as so many men in his family had been before him. The city must have been another world for him – he came from the small town of Bennettsville, which had none of the sophistications of Charleston.

One afternoon, he and a classmate were in Henry’s, a venerable old bar across the street from the Market that provided a cool, dim refuge from the hubbub outside. They nursed their drinks…stretched them out…since they didn’t have much money to spend on such frivolities. After a while, a man sitting in the shadows at the far end bought them each another drink and asked if he could join them. Of course, said the young men.
I don’t know what they talked about; Daddy never told me that. Probably women.

Eventually, the man rose; he told the other two that he had best get on his way. Then he invited them to visit him at his rented oceanfront cottage at Folly Beach the next afternoon, and directions were given.

Daddy and his friend had no idea who George Gershwin was, but they did drive out to Folly. When they parked and exited the car, they heard piano music. A voice from the house told them to come in.

They climbed the steps and entered through the screened door to find Gershwin at the piano, just playing with the notes. He was composing the music for “Summertime”.

How I wish now that I had asked questions and fleshed out this skeleton of a story. What a grand experience had befallen my dear daddy, without him even knowing just how grand. He related this story many times during my childhood. It’s been only in recent years that I’ve become so interested in filling in my blanks about his life.
So, I’m coming to Folly next year to visit the place where my father spent an afternoon with George Gershwin. My first time there. My children have told me that they want to go with me, and I’m thrilled! It just couldn’t be any better!