- In this episode of "Fly Brother," we fly, eat, and get on the good foot along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA.

We start off parasailing high above the surf before hitting the boardwalk with Chef Mason Zeglen, going forest bathing with Ranger Ann Wilson, and chowing down Southern style at Big Mike's.

Finally, we dance the day away with clogging troop All That before learning the Carolina Shag with champion dancers Jackie and Charlie.

Nothing could be finer than Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Let's get fly.

(light upbeat music) I'm Ernest White II, storyteller, explorer.

I believe in connecting across backgrounds and boundaries.

Join me and my friends.

And discover that no matter the background, no matter the history, the whole world is our tribe.

(light upbeat music continues) Come with me.

"Fly Brother."

- [Announcer] Major funding for this program is provided by- - [Narrator] Since 1975, we've inspired adults to learn and travel to the United States and in more than 100 countries.

From exploring our national parks to learning about art and culture in Italy, we've introduced adults to places, ideas, and friends.

We are Road Scholar.

We make the world our classroom.

(gentle inspiring music) (light bright music) (silence) (lively music) - Myrtle Beach.

Along 60 miles of subtropical South Carolina coastline, the Atlantic horizon meets a legendary southern rhythm.

Here on the Grand Strand, a perfect melody of sandy beaches, glittering hotels, iconic coastal preserves, world-class golf, and a world-famous boardwalk combined for year-round excitement, relaxation, or both.

Top it off with a welcoming atmosphere soaked in beach town vibes, plus plenty of evening entertainment, and you've got the perfect getaway you'll actually want to get to.

(upbeat thumping music) With so many miles of beaches as far as the eye can see, Myrtle Beach has water sports galore, swimming, skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and that perfect nexus of sea and sky parasailing, which I've never done before.

I'm a little bit nervous, as you would be too, but we're doing it anyway.

Let's fly.

(upbeat thumping music continues) - We head out on the banana boat to the other boat where Charlie Belissary of Downwind Sails takes us skyward.

(Charlie and Ernest cheering) Well, I'm having a great experience right now.

We're up in the air.

Charlie, what do you love about Myrtle Beach?

- You know, Ernest, it's the people and kindness.

Most people you'll see will treat you just like their family.

Maybe that can be a bad thing sometimes.

- Sure.

- Yeah.

- It's depending on the family.

- Depending on the family.

- Yes.

- [Charlie] The name of the show is "Flying Brother."

- [Ernest] The name of the show is "Fly Brother," and I- - So now would like to be "Flying Brothers."

- That's right, the "Fly Brothers."

Okay, somebody's angling from a, maybe, well it's... - Yeah, I'm a new, your co-host.

- That's right.

(Charlie and Ernest laughing) I didn't, I'm down for it.

This is... (Charlie laughing) - [Charlie] Okay, here we go.

- We're going to land on the water.

(water splashes) (Charlie and Ernest laughing) Okay, ooh.

(Charlie laughing) Whoo!

(camera clicks) Along the sun-drenched arc of the South Carolina coast, where the Atlantic pulse meets southern hospitality, stretches Myrtle Beach, the heart of the Grand Strand.

For thousands of years, these shores were the home of the Waccamaw people long before the rise of rice plantations built on the labor and knowledge of enslaved West Africans, followed by timber mills in the late 1800s.

The 20th century brought the railroad that transformed the town into a high-energy, neon-soaked gem of the American South, a place where nostalgic boardwalks lead directly into pristine coastal preserves.

Here, you can watch the sunrise ignite the Atlantic horizon, savor the comforts of authentic soul food, drive your game across 80 championship golf courses, and dive into a world of legendary entertainment.

With her unforgettable brand of salt-air swagger, Myrtle Beach shines bright.

(camera clicks) (upbeat music) After all that wet and wild excitement, it's coffee time.

Well, when isn't it?

And in Myrtle Beach, no one knows coffee quite like Mason Zeglen, award-winning chef, surfer, and television host who fell in love with his adopted hometown.

- No, well... - Hey, how's it going?

Very good to see you, dawg.

- Good to see you.

Yeah, could definitely use some coffee.

- Yeah, we've got plenty of that.

(both laughing) (blender whirring) (upbeat music) - Bottoms up.

(Ernest exhales satisfyingly) Next, we truck it back north to the world-famous Myrtle Beach boardwalk.

Stretching over a mile along the Atlantic Oceanfront, this bustling promenade is awash with the aroma of sweet treats and the vibrant hum of arcade games.

Remember those?

Here, Mason and I chat about Myrtle Beach's magic and magnetism.

So Mason, we're out here in the middle of it all, downtown Myrtle Beach.

We got our SkyWheel.

We got our sun, our surf, the Strand itself.

What do you love most about Myrtle Beach?

- I mean, I love coming together with people, being around the community and just being outside in nature.

If I'm not in the cafe working, grinding, I'm always outside, in the water, by the water, just hanging out, enjoying the environment.

- Yes.

Now, I know you weren't born here, you weren't raised here, but something drew you here.

What do you feel like is that kind of magic element that makes you feel at home?

- I've actually met my entire friend group from just customer base.

Between Alum Coffee has found me people to surf with, a chiropractor, a good doctor in town.

- All right, so it's a community hub.

- It is.

- All right.

- it really is.

- So we've got a plethora of beaches here.

We've got Surfside.

We've got Myrtle Beach itself.

We've got North Myrtle Beach, you know, and I'm sure others that I haven't named, Myrtle Beach State Park.

What are some of your favorites?

- Every beach has its own little nuance, its own thing.

For me personally, they all surf a little bit different, but they all have different locals at it.

So you meet new people, you meet a different crowd everywhere you go.

All the piers are different.

It's a good time so long as you're getting out in the water and your toes are in the sand.

- Aw, beautiful.

But I've worked up an appetite, man, and you as a chef have the knowing to tell me which way I should go.

- I mean, for me, it's all about the OG spots, - Okay.

- the comfort food.

Not everybody might know about this place, but Big Mike's Soul Food is a great location, great chef, and he just, he feeds our community.

And I think that's so important.

We're chefs and we're trying to tell our story through our food, and he does a great job with that.

(light upbeat music) - Big Mike's Soul Food has been a staple on the Myrtle Beach culinary scene for years, serving up glorious home-cooked goodness in a relaxed, welcoming space.

We stopped by knowing this going to be good.

- Hello.

- Hey, how you doing?

- All right.

- All right.

Is Big Mike in?

- Yes, sure.

- Okay.

- Big Mike.

(Big Mike laughing) - Hey there.

How you doing, Ernest?

Good to see you.

- Good to see you too there.

- Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

- I'm just going to ride that way.

- All right.

- All right.

- All right.

- All right, man.

- All right.

- It took me three minutes to walk over here.

- Three minutes.

All right.

(both laughing) After you've worked up an appetite, you got to come see Big Mike.

- Hey, this is the place to be.

- So man, you're right in the middle of the action.

- Oh yeah.

- You know, the boardwalk is just a short walk away.

- Right.

- How long have you all been here?

- We've been here since March of 2012.

- Okay, and still serving it up.

- Still serving it up, brother.

I mean, we put out a lot of plates every day and we look forward to it, seeing people come in here.

- You know, how do you feel that Big Mike's has become an essential part of the community?

- Well, you know, I've always had a desire to own my own place.

Me and my wife, let me take that back.

Me and my wife both.

- Okay.

It's all right.

- We've always had that desire.

And, you know, we started off small, of course, and, you know, it was tough in the beginning- - Sure.

- but we just hung with it, and now we're starting to see the fruits of our labor.

So we're just enjoying it, and we love cooking it.

I just want them to come and sit down and enjoy the meal and feel like they're at home, because we like to tell people, it's soul food the way your mama made it.

- Mm-hmm.

- You know, food that's made with love and taking time and just made with care.

And, you know, I always tell people I'm not going to make anything or sell anything that I wouldn't eat.

So I didn't get like this by eating salads, so you can tell I eat a lot So I enjoy my cooking, so I hope it's something that people enjoy too.

- Well, I am excited about what we might be enjoying.

- You're going to be in for a treat.

(chuckles) - Let's get it all.

- All right, all right, all right.

We'll bring some plates out.

- Okay.

- Yes, sir.

- Lovely, lovely.

- Oh, yeah.

- Gold and brown and greens.

- Got some collard greens.

We got some mustards there, some mac and cheese, some yams, pintos, field peas, catfish, grilled pork chop, fried pork chops.

- All right.

- All right, let's dive in.

I love my chicken leg.

- [Ernest] Okay, I'm a... - [Big Mike] A little bit of collard green.

- I don't know what to say other than.

- Fried chicken is cooked to perfection.

I make it right.

- Okay.

- And people are blown away, you know?

- Well, listen, you made this right- - You're going to make it right for me.

- This was made right- - You know?

- the first time.

So I'm going to continue to dig in, and, you know, when you're in Myrtle Beach, if you're not coming to Big Mike's, you're missing out.

- Soul food the way your mama made it.

- You heard that, Mama?

(Big Mike laughing) (light upbeat music) For decades, the Carolina Opry has helped define entertainment on the Grand Strand, lighting up Myrtle Beach with world-class, high-energy variety shows.

This legendary stage is the crown jewel of the coast, famous for its spectacular choreography, award-winning musicians, and unforgettable theatrical productions that draw audiences from around the globe.

Keeping this massive musical legacy running smoothly is Jordan Watkins, who practically grew up backstage.

Wow.

Jordan, how are you?

- Hey, good to see you.

- Good to see you too.

- Great.

How are you?

- Oh my gosh.

Listen, this is grand.

- Thanks.

- I'm stoked to be here.

- Well, I'm glad to have you here.

We got a little bit of memorabilia all over that kind of tells our story.

Yeah, it all started in 1986, 40 years ago, when Calvin Gilmore, who happens to be my dad, moved here to Myrtle Beach to fulfill his dream of opening a live entertainment theater.

- All right.

- He did, and it worked.

- Well, let's see some of this memorabilia.

- Yeah, yeah.

- Okay.

- You can see a little bit of our history here.

It's kind of a progression of some of our milestones, because we opened our original theater in 1986, and as soon as that started to fill up, he actually opened a second theater in North Myrtle Beach.

And that one began to fill up as well, and that's when we built this large theater here in 1992.

- Special VIP access.

This is beautiful.

- [Jordan] Here's our, yeah, our 1,600-seat auditorium.

- [Ernest] Oh, wow.

- [Choreographer] So good, so that brings, here it comes.

(dancers laughing) (tapping upbeat music) And let's have it, yes.

- [Jordan] You'll see a little bit of everything.

- Okay.

- We have shows almost every night throughout the year.

We have our original house productions with a cast of over 35 of the most talented musicians, singers, dancers, and they do a variety show.

- We know that your dad was attracted to Myrtle Beach, but what do you love about it still?

- There's so many things, even aside from the beach.

You know, we go kayaking, we go out on the boat.

So I just love to be outdoors where the temperature year-round pretty much is wonderful.

You know, we'll be on the beach in November.

It's just perfect, yeah.

- Nice.

When people come here from other places, what do you want them to experience in Myrtle Beach?

- We want them to feel a little bit of magic, a little bit of the connection that you get when you put all the devices down, and we want people to laugh together, clap together, maybe even dance a little bit together, you know, as they watch the show and just kind of, you know, make some of the memories that, you know, are unforgettable, that when you go back home and you get the sand out of your shoes and, you know, everything else, you know, you're going to have those memories forever.

- Oh, that's amazing.

And I feel like I'm here making memories myself.

So do I get a chance to do a little dancing up on this here stage?

- Yeah, yeah.

- All right.

- Let's go.

(both laughing) - God, I'm going to regret this.

I like it.

I love it.

(footsteps clicking rhythmically) Award-winning clogging group All That is all that.

The bag of chips and a slab of barbecue.

- What's up, you all?

I'm Ethan.

- What's up, everybody?

I'm Nick.

- Hey, guys, I'm Steven.

- [Ernest] Mark rounds up the foursome and tells us what makes All That click.

- Like you just heard, we've all come from different places.

We all have different backgrounds.

- Everybody has their own style- - Everybody- - their own unique look, their own character on stage.

- Nobody believes we do what we do when we say, you know, we're cloggers.

Everybody thinks we're a rock band or something.

- Sure.

- Exactly.

- You know, we've taken- - I believe that.

- You wouldn't believe how many times we've been on a plane and somebody's like, "What do you guys do for a living?"

We're like, "Oh, we're in Myrtle Beach, we're a clogging group."

They're like, "Huh?"

- They don't, "What are you doing?"

- They're like, "The wooden clogs, what?"

- The thing that's kept us in it and made this group so popular is we've tried to show that it's cool.

It can be done to all types of music.

You know, you can be a guy and you can dance.

We joined the Opry in 2005, and since then we're finalist on "America's Got Talent."

We did Jennifer Lopez's show "World of Dance," Been to Austria, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Hong Kong, all for, you know, show off the- - We've got to travel a lot.

- the folk dance of America.

I love how Myrtle Beach has come rallied behind us.

You know, we're all from different places, but Myrtle Beach makes us feel like we're local hometown boys.

- Exactly, and they've really taken care of us.

Like, they brought us in.

We've been having the best time.

We're just dudes dancing together, having a great time.

- It's a good feeling.

They respect it.

They like it.

- Well, I think there's the virtuosity that goes into it, the joy, that combined communal expression.

You know, and as human beings, that's one of the things that we get to do is dance.

- How about we show you a little bit of what we do instead of just telling you about it and let you experience it yourself?

- All right, let's do it.

- [Group Member] We got a little solid song for you.

- Okay.

- So you said, you know a little tap right here, right?

- I know a little tap.

- Okay, so a tap shoe has a solid tap.

- Okay.

- And these are two taps that are riveted.

- Okay.

- Yeah, overall just gives you a different sound too.

(shoes clicking) - Unlike tap, clogging is on the downbeat.

So every time the beat hits, you kind of bend down as I do that.

Okay, now as I do that, try to point your foot and kick it like you got bubble gum on the toe.

(footsteps clicking) There you go.

- There you go.

Yeah.

- Keep your up and down a little bit.

(footsteps clicking) Keep your up, keep your up- - Yeah, yeah.

- your toes.

Okay, so now throw rock-step in there right here.

Going to go rock-step, rock-step, wide chain.

- Wide step.

- Wide chain.

Throw rock.

- Don't ease up.

- Right foot, left, together.

- Yeah, there it is.

(footsteps clicking rhythmically) There you go.

- Yes, sir.

- So now you're clogging.

Now we got to do something that makes it look even bigger.

- You got the basics now.

- It makes it look good.

- Sure.

- Okay.

- All right?

So a little trick.

- Little trick.

- Yeah, you'll click something like this.

Start with your- (Ernest laughing) You start like a... - I just ate.

(members laughing) I'll start whenever... - It's going to start moving here in seconds.

- Okay.

A heel click.

- Left foot basic.

Here you go.

Okay, now we're going to do the heel click coming up right here.

Heel click.

Step, click.

Five, six, ready go.

(footsteps clopping rhythmically) What happened?

- [Group Member] What happened to you?

- What happened?

- You were done.

(group members laughing) (footsteps thudding) - Whoo!

- Yay!

(group clapping) - [Group Member] It's all right.

(lively upbeat music) - Nighttime in Myrtle Beach sparkles and shines.

With neon, LED, and good old-fashioned traffic lights that say, "Fun, right this way."

(bright upbeat music) Sunrise on the Grand Strand is always resplendent.

But for a peak Myrtle Beach experience, you've got to go where it all began: Myrtle Beach State Park.

This pristine coastal sanctuary offers a quiet escape into untouched maritime forests, sand dunes, and wide open beaches.

It's the perfect place to fish from the iconic pier, watch the ocean birds soar, hike the canopy trails, and discover the wilder side of Myrtle Beach.

Park Ranger Ann Wilson guides us in.

Tell me about this pier, Ann.

- I think the pier is the lifeblood of the park.

There's a lot of different things you can do here, go fishing or crabbing, and whether or not you catch anything or not, you're outside, and for a lot of people, it's almost like their second family.

So if Joe doesn't show up or Earl doesn't show up on a certain day and time, they're like, "Hey, is everything okay?"

So that's pretty cool, right?

- Community vibe.

- Community vibe.

I've seen whales breaching up.

- Wow.

- I've seen, you know, sharks cruising.

And then look at this view, as you can see why Myrtle Beach State Park is so important.

It's only 312 acres.

It is a tiny park, but we abut right up into the hustle and bustle of the Grand Strand.

You know, we're one of the busiest beaches on the East Coast for sure.

And we still have this green space that you can still find your spot.

You can still take time to relax, to breathe, to just be in this crazy busy world that we have.

It's really nice to just be.

- It's an emerald in the strand of pearls.

(bell tinkles) (Ann laughs) (bright music) Come with me into nature with "Fly Brother."

Naturally, I try to get in a little forest bathing wherever I go, but here, communing with nature involves bird calling too.

Well, according to these signs.

Fish crows sound like cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger.

Uh-ack.

Peter, Peter.

Peter.

Myrtle Beach is the undisputed golf capital of the world, with some 80 legendary championship courses carved into the Carolina coast.

But you don't need a pro-level drive to win here.

For newbies like me, the miniature golf courses inspire the perfect putt, maybe.

(bright groovy music) Born in the 1940s, right here on the Grand Strand, Carolina Shag has its roots in the swing and jazz music and dance emanating from black night spots in town.

Through the decades, the smooth, fluid movements of the Carolina Shag became a hallmark of Myrtle Beach.

Since 1981, championship dancers Jackie McGee and Charlie Womble have been tearing this dance floor up.

(gentle faint music) - Oh.

- Hey.

- Oh, good to see you.

- Jackie.

Good to see you too.

- How you doing?

- I'm great.

Thank you.

- Good to see you.

- Hey, Charlie.

- Good to see you.

- All right, how are you both?

- We're good.

We're glad you can make it to Fat Harold's.

- I am happy to be here.

- All right.

Well, come on here.

- But you've been trying to get me here for a long time, so.

- We are, we got a lot to show you here.

- That's right.

- A lot to see.

- All right.

- Then you're going to do two steps, stepping back on your left, going rock, step.

- Okay.

- And then you do the two triples again, one, two, three.

It's all about footwork.

- Mm.

- Ready?

And one, two, three.

- That's it.

Rock step.

- One, two, three, rock, step.

- Steady.

- [Jackie] One, two, three, one, two, three, rock, step.

- There you go.

- [Jackie] One, two, three, one, two, three.

- You got it.

(Jackie screams) - You got it!

- Hey.

- I believe you met your match.

- I don't know that.

- Oh my God.

- Oh, yes.

That was good.

- All right.

Now we're going to move forward.

- Areas.

- We're going to trade places.

- Okay.

- While you're doing that.

- All right?

- While you're doing the same identical steps.

- Okay.

- All right?

And you're the driver.

- Because you're the boss.

- All right, yes.

- You're the boss.

- [Ernest] So I have to- - Come on, we're going to shag.

- take ownership.

- Yeah, ready, and one, two, three, one, two, three, pull now, one, two, three, one, two, three, rock, step, one, two, three, one, two.

That's unbelievable.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- What a good teacher you are.

- Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you.

- Amazing.

- Why don't you put some music?

- Okay, I'll put now.

- All right.

♪ I've got a girl - Five, six, seven, eight, one, two, three, one, two, three, click.

One, two, three, one, two, three, back.

One, two, three, one, two, three.

♪ Give me a chance ♪ Yeah (Ernest laughing) ♪ When I want to sweet talk - Right.

Okay, because this is the dance floor.

This is where everybody does the Carolina Shag.

Right here, seven nights a week.

- [Ernest] Wow.

- This is the Mecca of shag, the capital.

- How did you first start shagging?

- The bottom line is I started and I wanted to date her, so I got her into dancing.

- Okay.

- And then she went right past me.

- And then we started competing.

We have a lot of competitions, the National Shag Dance Championship.

And we started and we practiced a lot, and it's been very nice to us.

Very nice.

- Beautiful.

- It's been a wonderful experience together.

- Together.

- All right, what do you love about it?

- What I love about it is the fact that now that we're older, it's still something we can do together.

And it's something that two people can share.

- It was the dance, the music, the competition, the friends, the travel.

It's just all together.

- And you meet the nicest people.

- Everywhere you go.

- And that's the biggest part about it.

- Absolutely.

- And you'll see that tonight.

you'll see.

- They always say if you come to North Myrtle Beach and haven't been to the Fat Man's house- - That's right.

- you haven't been to North Myrtle Beach.

- You got to come to the Fat Man's house.

- Well, we are here, and I guess it's time to shake a leg.

- One and two, three and four and step back.

One and two, three and four, and step back.

One and two, three and four, and rock back, rock and click.

How we doing?

- [Charlie] Only got an hour to go.

Move your body.

- One and two, three and four and left, level, and back, and walk, level, and back.

Yay, whoo!

Nice job, everybody.

It's going to be a big crowd.

Oh, if you have a partner, would you please (speaks faintly).

Are you ready?

Five, six, seven, eight, one and dance.

Females, turn.

- [Charlie] Face them.

- [Ernest] Myrtle Beach, where the only footwear you'll ever need is flip-flops and dancing shoes.

All right, thank you.

- Is that good?

Is that good?

- Yes, yes.

- [Jackie] Can we give Ernest a hand?

He got every one of them.

Never seen it before.

- Thank you, everybody.

You're all amazing.

Thank you so much.

(crowd cheering and clapping) - [Jackie] Never seen it before, and he did a great job.

- Yes, he did.

- And I should have charged him, but I didn't.

(crowd laughing) - But we wouldn't- - Just thanks.

- [Announcer] Major funding for this program is provided by- - [Narrator] Since 1975, we've inspired adults to learn and travel to the United States and in more than 100 countries.

From exploring our national parks to learning about art and culture in Italy, we've introduced adults to places, ideas, and friends.

We are Road Scholar.

We make the world our classroom.

(gentle inspiring music) (light bright music) (silence) - [Announcer] To join the "Fly Brother" Travel Community, or to order your own copy of this episode, visit flybrother.com.

(dramatic music)