Another James Brown world tour could be in the making.
Related Stories
"Even after life, he is still touring," Brown's daughter, Deanna Brown Thomas, said with a laugh. She was referring to the possibility of a worldwide traveling exhibit of some of her father's memorabilia.
Family members have recently been considering the idea of taking a "nice size collection" of the late entertainer's belongings on tour, Thomas said.
"There are a couple of people, major corporations, that are very interested in being part of such a historical collection," she said. "It is something that the family does know would be a huge historical collection of items that could be shared to fans around the world. ... His fans would love to see a part of James Brown, trust me."
Thomas wouldn't divulge details, such as when a tour might start or what items it would include, but she said such a traveling display would tell the story of her father, including his commitment to education. Brown had a trust fund established to educate poor children in Georgia and South Carolina.
"His story should be told," Thomas said. It's "an American story" that would provide hope to others who come from nothing but aspire for more, she said.
Thomas said if the tour gets the green light, it would go global "because he has worldwide fans."
A traveling exhibit wouldn't negate previous plans for a museum at her father's Beech Island property, but the tour would likely come first, she said.
Having a museum at her father's home would be a big tourism draw to the Augusta area, Thomas said.
"People from around the world would come and they would spend their dollars here and their time here," she said.
First, though, a touring exhibit would give people throughout the world the chance to hear about Brown and how he was from the Augusta area, Thomas said.
"Just imagine what that will do for our area as well," she said. "People in another country and state, while they're seeing (the collection of) James Brown, they're seeing Augusta, Ga., and Aiken County, South Carolina."
"People from around the world would come and they would spend their dollars here and their time here," she said................................now thats funny.................dream on.
[ Music Open: "Love Me Tender" ]
Announcer: The New Jersey Civic Colisseum is proud to present... appearing live for a limited engagement... Elvis Presley's Coat!
[ music segues to "Hound Dog" ]
Announcer: Hear the hits of the King, and see the Coat that made him famous.
[ flash shots of the Coat performing "Jailhouse Rock" to a packed crowd ]
Group of Girls: [ being interviewed outside ] It's sexy! It's very sexy!
[ Coat shakes while performing "All Shook Up" ]
Old Woman: It's simply mind-boggling!
Hippie: Uncanny.
Woman: It's visual.
Man: It was remarkable, I'm gonna have to bring the kids!
Announcer: Said one critic, "It was the closest thing to Elvis himself."
[ wearing a lei, the Coat performs "Blue Hawaii" ]
Old Man: Wow! The lights!
Second Woman: The sound.
Second Man: I think I've seen all of the imitation Coat shows.. but they don't compare to the real thing.
Announcer: The King may be dead, but the Coat lives on. Engagement begins Tuesday, November 7th.
Saturday Night Live Season 4, Episode 4
The "tour" wouldn't raise enough money to afford the fuel for the vehicles transporting the clothing. Sorry folks, but that's the facts. Ain't nobody gonna go spending their "post office money" on a tour to look at used clothes.
he was a good performer but the bad out-weighed the good, he could have stopped the riots years ago or at least cooled off the situation and chose not to. not to mention his wife whom died in Atlanta .... that was questionable . but on the good side he did not shoot anyone when someone used HIS bathroom in downtown Augusta, and he did not know why he kept of driving after having his tires shot out by the police.... could not have been trying to get into another state now could it have been.
I don't understand the hatefulness of some people. If you can't say something nice about the departed, just don't say anything. James Brown was one of the greatest entertainers of his era and he always remembered where he came from and always spoke well of Augusta. I hope that his family establishes a museum at his home and do it in a first class way. While I don't think that it will be a destination attraction, I do believe that many people coming to Augusta will want to visit his museum while they are in town. He had his weaknesses and demons as we all do. He overcame a lot of adversity to obtain his status of an elite performer and he should be given his due respect and honor.
I remember him going on radio and TV, during the Augusta riots, and attempting to calm the black folks down. That attempt was made in spite of all the segregation and prejudice that he had to endure during those times. I also believe that it had a positive effect. It's ironic that he is respected and admired around the WORLD more than he is in his home town. That fact speaks volumes of the small mindedness and obvious prejudices of a 21st Century Augusta. May God bless his soul and may people lose their petty hate and prejudice. BTW, I am a white man and raised by an extremely prejudiced father. We all need to evolve in a positive manner.
TechFan, haha. Did they ever actually bury JB? If not I was thinking maybe...
what I said reader 54 had nothing to do with his race, you want to attract a crowd show his truck with the tires shot out , or the white substance he had in his possession ! .. he did not over come his demons ... he was a demon. black , white , brown , red , it makes no difference ! he pulled a shotgun on kids taking dance lessons at his place of business !
reader: I actually liked JB. Used to work in banking and typed up a loan for him years ago (many years ago). Really nice guy in person. Loved his music as well. I just think a traveling tour of memorabilia is sort of hokey.
Techfan: I agree with you on the memorabilia show. I am only referring to the artist and the museum. If we denigrated artists for their drug abuse and conduct while intoxicated, there would be few great ones to honor.
When he lived on Walton Way, a friend of mine saw him haul off and slap his wife. In public. He was in his car, coming out of his driveway.
I don't believe I'll spend the time, effort, or money- thanks anyway.
Who wants a 'used shotgun' and several sets of dentures?
Most of JB's fans were his age when he was at his peak. Today they are old or dead. It's not like Elvis who died while his fans were middle aged and had a lot of years to spend money idolizing him. Graceland is in Nashville. It is a tourist town w/o Graceland. Douglas Road is in the middle of nowhere but near Beech Island, not a tourist destination now or with JB museum. I don't think he had any of the real memorabilia from his heyday after it was sold as part of his bankruptcy. His gold records were all auctioned off along with everything else. He's dead. Don't ruin what's left of his dignity with a family's desperate attempt to cash in on what will likely be a weak memorabilia show.
Ho-hum....must be some desperation in the Brown family. Who gives a flying flip about his clothes and other glittery stuff; not worth forking over my $. He was a sleaze-bag when alive and doesn't deserve any further attention.
I agree with mable8, things must be desperately bad if they will consider putting his clothes on tour.
All I know about James is that he was bad about not paying his bills which is a character flaw and not a weakness.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
