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James Brown urges hometown crowd to chase after dreams
Originally published 11/21/93
By Kim Henderson
``Why, his street has always been Ninth Street,'' a man said to the woman next to him.
``Yeah, that's right!'' she answered.
``Yeah, that's right!''
``Yeah, they've got the right man up there today.''
Others came not to bury Mr. Jackson, but to praise Mr. Brown.
``Today we pause to honor one of our own,'' said Mayor Charles A. DeVaney. ``All through his remarkable career, he never forgot Augusta, even though it seemed on occasion Augusta forgot him.
``I think honors are especially sweet when they come from the heart and from the home.''
``I thank God for the history to be made here today,'' Mr. Brown told the crowd that gathered for the dedication. ``I thank God for you, who bought my records, attended my shows and supported me in so many ways.''
About 5,000 people turned out at James Brown and Laney-Walker boulevards for the ceremony that paid homage to the man, his music and his message. The daylong event included remarks and honors from city and state dignitaries, the unveiling of the street sign, and music from area groups.
Mr. Brown attended the event with his wife, Adrienne, his mother, Susie, his daughter and grandson.
In a reflection of Mr. Brown's philosophy of harmony, the crowd included people of different races, ethnic backgrounds and ages, who packed themselves as close to the stage as possible to get a glimpse of their favorite son.
``Regardless of what America says, when the list is totaled up ... America owes James Brown far more than it could ever think he owes to them,'' said Richmond County Commissioner Willie Mays.
Mr. DeVaney urged the community to continue to honor Mr. Brown by keeping the street safe and working toward improvement of the city.
``Let us pledge to clean up Augusta,'' Mr. DeVaney said. ``... Let's turn urban decay into urban opportunity.''
Good wishes were sent in writing by Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, Georgia Gov. Zell Miller, U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney and U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond.
When the hardest working man in show business finally took center stage, he led off his remarks with his trademark ``Owwww!'' winning him screams and cheers from the crowd.
Mr. Brown reminisced about his childhood in Augusta and remembered when the kids at his elementary school used to pay him a dime to see him sing and dance. He spoke of dedication to making dreams come true, even if that means starting at the bottom as he did.
``I tell the young kids out there, don't feel bad if you don't get the job that you want,'' Mr. Brown said. ``Take any job that you can have.''
He left the crowd with the promise that he plans to keep dancing for at least 30 more years.
``I'll live as long as I can and die when I cannot help it,'' he said.
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