James Brown used to run along the tracks beside what became the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, chasing trains and hustling candies to the troops.

More than a half century later, the Godfather of Soul stood only yards away from those tracks on Monday and christened the new marquee for the arena that now bears his name.

Mr. Brown thanked the city of his youth for the honor and reminisced about his years growing up a few streets from the arena.

"Along the way, I met some beautiful people," he said, speaking through a red handkerchief, citing old age and some recent tooth implants.

"I may look about 30 when I'm finished," the 73-year-old legend joked in front of a crowd that included some of his closest friends and local, state and national political leaders.

Mr. Brown had no shortage of kind words for those in the audience - at one point asking them to turn to the person to their right and tell them they love them. He also recognized and thanked his childhood musician friends Leon Austin, Johnny Terry and Bobby Byrd.

Mr. Brown's close friend and nationally political activist, the Rev. Al Sharpton, said the newly renamed civic center will stand as a place where people can come to know that dreams come true.

"Ten years ago, I wouldn't have thought his was possible, but Augusta has grown and recognized Mr. Brown's importance worldwide," the Rev. Sharpton said.

Citing his humble beginnings and formal education only to the seventh grade, Mr. Brown told the crowd that he has been asked to address the student body of England's prestigious Oxford University.

Before he left the stage, Mr. Brown offered the crowd more words of love.

"I hope you live 200 years," Mr. Brown said as he left the stage. "And I'll live 200 years minus one day so I'll never know beautiful people like you passed away."

Reach Adam Folk at (706) 823-3339 or adam.folk@augustachronicle.com.