The Godfather of Soul will appear and perform at the James Brown Soul of America Music Festival this weekend.

Mr. Brown made the decision Tuesday, despite a complicated tour schedule and the fact he would have to charter his own flight back to Augusta for a performance Saturday at the festival, said David Cannon, the soul singer's business manager.

Mr. Cannon said Mr. Brown will fly into Augusta late Friday with "one or two band members" after a show in Virginia. He will perform a few songs in the early evening Saturday and then immediately fly out for his next gig in Atlantic City, N.J.

Mr. Cannon said no contract had been worked out with festival organizers and that Mr. Brown will pay the expenses out of his own pocket. He estimated the cost of the chartered plane at between $18,000 and $20,000.

"I think the man is going way overboard, to be fair," Mr. Cannon said. "I'm not against it. I'm sort of glad he has decided to do it."

Tony Wilson, who pays tribute to Brown with his 14-piece band, said Mr. Brown will perform three songs - I Feel Good, Sex Machine and Cold Sweat - with his band during a performance scheduled around 5 p.m.

For Mr. Wilson, who previously worked with Mr. Brown on the Funk Blast and Beat the Devil short-film projects, the opportunity to perform on stage with one of his idols gives the festival date real significance.

"This is a totally different thing," he said. "I mean, Mr. Brown doesn't usually like letting people in on his thing, so this is a real honor."

Although Mr. Brown has sent down the three songs he plans to perform, Mr. Wilson said he believes it's in his best interest to be ready for anything.

Mr. Brown might say Sex Machine, he said, but when the time comes to perform he might want Papa's Got a Brand New Bag.

"So the last thing I'm thinking about is the songs," he said. "Mr. Brown is full of surprises, and I know that. This isn't about those three songs. It's about the man."

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.

Reach Steve Crawford at (706) 823-3424

or steve.crawford@augustachronicle.com.