The Shrimp City Report Podcast (Charleston, South Carolina)

A native of Awendaw, SC, Charlton Singleton began his musical studies at the age of three on the piano. He would then go on to study the organ, violin, cello, and the trumpet throughout elementary, middle, and high school. In 1994, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance degree from South Carolina State University. Since that time, he has taught music at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as being an adjunct faculty member at the College of Charleston. In 2008 he co-founded and became the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra; an 18-piece jazz ensemble of some of the finest professional musicians in the Southeast and the resident big band in Charleston, SC. Mr. Singleton is also the organist and choir director at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Charleston, SC. In November of 2016 he was named the inaugural Artist in Residence at the recently renovated Gaillard Center in downtown Charleston. He remained in this position until July 2019; at that point he was named Artist in Residence Emeritus. In this position he continues to lead the Summer Youth Jazz Orchestra Camp as well as lead the “Jazz Through the Ages” assembly, which attracts a capacity crowd of students at the Gaillard Center.

As a performer, Charlton leads his own ensembles that vary in size and style. He has performed in France, Great Britain, Scotland, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, The Netherlands, as well as many great cities throughout the United States. He is a founding member of an ensemble called Ranky Tanky. The group is a quintet that interprets the sounds of Gullah from the Southeast Coast of the United States. In 2017 Ranky Tanky reached the top of the Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon Contemporary Jazz charts with their self-titled debut recording. In 2019 they accomplished the same feat with the release of their sophomore effort, “Good Time”, which won the 2019 Grammy Award for “Best Regional Roots Album”. In 2022 the band’s live recorded set at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was nominated for and won the Grammy Award in the same category. In 2021 he was the recipient of the SC Governor’s Award, which honors arts organizations, patrons, artists, members of the business community, and government entities who maximize their roles as innovators, supporters, and advocates for the arts. It is the highest honor for the arts in the state of South Carolina.

In addition to performing, he is in demand as a speaker, clinician, composer, and arranger. He has also shared the stage with and/or worked with some of the most talented entertainers in the world, including Lisa Fischer, Bobby McFerrin, Ruby Dee, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Houston Person, Darius Rucker, Fred Wesley, and Cyrus Chestnut to name a few. Outside of music and entertainment, he, and his wife, MaryJo, are the proud parents of Shalamar and D’Marcus and new grandparents to Sophia Rose. They are also parents to their FIVE pets...Jango, MoJo, Dakota, Pumpkin, and Ginger.

https://www.charltonsingleton.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/charltonsingleton

https://www.instagram.com/csmusician/

https://gullahgeecheecorridor.org/

We got to meet and chat with Larry Larson, the new voice of the Charleston Riverdogs. Larry is an established professional broadcaster and business owner.  We cover his roots in Rockford Illinois and how he started his sports broadcasting career while attending Bradley University.  He is also the Co-founder and CEO of his own sports broadcasting business, Clutch Sports Media.

In the interview Larry talks with us about the realities of minor-league broadcasting (long travel, solo play-by-play, and multitasking as statistician and spotter), and what makes Riverdogs games special for locals and tourists.

The episode also highlights the team’s community work, including a $100,000 donation to MUSC Children’s Hospital and the overall unique charm of Charleston baseball.

https://www.larrylarsonsports.com/

http://instagram.com/larrylarsonsports

http://instagram.com/larrylarsonsports

SUPPORT ART! DONATE HERE:  https://app.verticalraise.com/fundraiser/rmsa-visual-arts-fundraiser-2025/

This episode features Elise Hurley from Rawlings Middle School’s visual arts department discussing their very important community-driven fundraiser to support materials, guest artists, workshops, and field trips for gifted middle school artists.  Elise explains how donations through a secure online platform help sustain an advanced curriculum and real-world art experiences.

She also highlights upcoming events including a December community show and the main visual arts exhibition on May 12, and notes the fundraiser runs for 21 days and ends October 1. Listeners are encouraged to contribute or attend to support the students’ creative growth.

For more information on Rollings Middle School of the Arts go to https://rmsa.ddtwo.org/

Recorded at Beeple Studios in Charleston, South Carolina, this episode features Mike Winkelmann (Beeple), a digital artist who shares his evolution from early web and Flash experiments to a daily art practice that grew into the 5,000-day project and major NFT recognition.

Beeple discusses using 3D tools and AI to push cultural and often tongue-in-cheek dystopian ideas, how the studio fosters community events and live performances, and the upcoming Synthetic Theater production that blends technology, dance, film, and improv.

The conversation also covers his move to the Lowcountry, collaborations with local artists and producers, and the studio’s role in creating shared artistic experiences for Charleston’s creative community.

Links:

https://beeple-studios.xyz/event/synthetic-theatre/
https://beeple-studios.xyz/
https://beeple-crap.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/beeple_crap/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/beeple
YT: https://www.youtube.com/beeple

For this episode we have Christopher Downey (Captain Byrd), a Charleston maritime guide and author.  He discusses his four books and pirate research, including the unlikely pirate Stede Bonnet, Stede's ties to Blackbeard and the 1718 Charleston blockade and the mass hangings at White Point Garden  We also delve into some of the Charleston connections that Edgar Allan Pod had such as "The Gold Bug." The episode also touches on local tours, maritime history, and resources for visitors.

From Christophers Bio: "And just like that - I became the pirate guy. I immersed myself in Charleston pirate history and learned as much as I could. I created an hour and a half loop around Charleston Harbor chock full of as many pirate sites and stories as any tourist could ask for. I shaped my tour around that most-unlikely of pirates, Stede Bonnet, the Gentleman Pirate, whose story and connection to Charleston always proved to be a favorite among my passengers. I even installed a monitor on the boat where I could show images to compliment my tour."

For this episode we have Christopher Downey (Captain Byrd), a Charleston maritime guide and author.  He discusses his four books and pirate research, including the unlikely pirate Stede Bonnet, his ties to Blackbeard and the 1718 Charleston blockade and the mass hangings at White Point Garden  We also delve into some of the Charleston connections that Edgar Allan Pod had such as "The Gold Bug." The episode also touches on local tours, maritime history, and resources for visitors.

From Christophers Bio: "And just like that - I became the pirate guy. I immersed myself in Charleston pirate history and learned as much as I could. I created an hour and a half loop around Charleston Harbor chock full of as many pirate sites and stories as any tourist could ask for. I shaped my tour around that most-unlikely of pirates, Stede Bonnet, the Gentleman Pirate, whose story and connection to Charleston always proved to be a favorite among my passengers. I even installed a monitor on the boat where I could show images to compliment my tour."

https://www.captainbyrds.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cbyrddowney/

https://x.com/CaptainByrd

Check out our interview with Lorrie Griggs about her path from CNN and Eskimo Advertising to launching Drifter Merch and the annual Drifter Fest in memory of her late partner Bert Griggs.

The episode covers the festival’s jam-band focus, vendor lineup, sponsors, weekend schedule (Sept 5–7) and practical details for attendees, with tickets and information available at drifterfest.com.

Live from The Refinery in Charleston, meteorologist Bill Walsh joins the Shrimp City Report to share his journey from Rhode Island to a 40-year career forecasting Charleston weather. He discusses memorable storms like Hurricane Hugo, his military service in the Navy and Air Force Reserve, storm chasing experiences, and the changing face of Charleston.

Bill is a 5 time Emmy Award winner including the prestigious 2021 Emmy Silver Circle Award. He is also a 5 time Telly Award winner, 2025 National Weather Association Broadcast Meteorologist of the year, 2025 RTDNA Edward R. Morrow Award for Tropical Storm Debbie coverage, 2023 RTDNA Carolinas Chapter Weathercaster of the Year, Associated Press Best Weathercaster, Best of Charleston and others. 

Bill also reflects on community connections, the challenges of coastal forecasting, and his ongoing public events and appearances around the Lowcountry.

We had a great time talking with with Anna (vocals) and Scott (guitar/booking) of The Novatones about the band’s two-year journey, their five-member lineup, how they tailor setlists for venues like the Windjammer, acoustic shows around Charleston, and where to find them on social media.  It is a great look into how a Cover band runs and keeps running.  Sometimes for even three hours straight!

https://www.thenovatones.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheNovatonesBand

https://www.instagram.com/thenovatones

https://the-novatones.printify.me/products