WJBF News Channel 6 Extra: Remembering James Brown - WJBF-TV ABC 6 Augusta-Aiken News, Weather, Sports

James Brown & Don Rhodes

Augusta - Many of James Brown’s most prized possessions are on display inside the Augusta Museum of History. Some of the items came from Don Rhodes personal collection.“This shot was taken of him at the airport where I was with him," said Rhodes pointing to an iconic photo of Brown.                                             

Rhodes kept it “real” with Brown for 4 decades. He first met him backstage at a concert in 1966, then continued to follow Brown’s career as a music writer for the Augusta Chronicle.  "When James was James, he was one of the greatest people to be around," said Rhodes. "He had one of the greatest senses of humor and one of the best smiles in the world. Two years following Brown's death, Rhodes was inspired to write a book on the Hall of Fame singer's life: SAY IT LOUD! THE LIFE OF JAMES BROWN SOUL BROTHER NO.1. "That’s one thing I gathered from James’s life. So many people are glad to tell stories of running into him because they were glad to be a part of his life in reality because James wanted to be part of people’s lives. He wasn’t a recluse or anything like that." 

Nearly 8 years after his death, the hardest working man in show business will once again have his name on the big screen world-wide.“Get On Up”…the film that chronicles James Brown’s rise to fame, premieres Thursday night in his hometown. "Get On Up is a good title for this movie because lord knows there were many times in his life that James Brown did get on up from troubled times," said Rhodes. "He kept proving himself over and over again how great he was. I’m glad people are interested in James Brown again and this movie is going to be a really powerful force to get people interested in his music and get people interested in Augusta."                                                                          

As for Brown's legacy, Rhodes says it will endure forever. "Most of the music today in rap and pop is so heavily influenced by him. He's going to have that legacy long after we're gone, that's for sure.