Godfather of Soul makes merry

Web posted Saturday, December 23, 2000

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By Vicky Eckenrode
Staff Writer

Mr. Brown sings a holiday tune for hundreds of children who showed up at the Imperial Theatre on Friday for the toy giveaway. JENNIFER FULLER/STAFF

For the past seven years, the Godfather of Soul has donned his traditional Christmas outfit - a red leather suit, cowboy boots and Santa cap - to pass out toys to needy children.

This year most of the children also got to see their first live James Brown performance.

Hundreds of children and their parents filled the Imperial Theatre on Broad Street to wait for Mr. Brown to take the stage Friday morning.

Brittany Mitchell, 11, said she was excited to see the man she has heard so much about, and getting an early Christmas present wasn't so bad either.

``He wears neat clothes. He's famous. He sings good songs. He has those capes he throws off,'' she said, ``and we're getting toys.''

The toys were donated by area businesses, individuals and Mr. Brown himself, who contributed $2,500 for an array of bicycles, dolls and stuffed animals.

``Mr. Brown does this every year because he grew up on the streets of Augusta, and he feels like the children of Augusta are like his own children,'' said Stacy Brown, general manager of Mr. Brown's radio station, WAAW (94.7).

When the theater's curtain opened, the parents cheered as the soul singer broke into a medley of his most popular tunes.

Soul singer James Brown's daughter Deanna handed a pair of new in-line skates to a young boy at the Imperial Theatre on Friday during the annual James Brown Toy Giveaway. Hundreds of toys were donated by area businesses and individuals for the cause. JENNIFER FULLER/STAFF

Meanwhile, the children ogled the extensive toy display on the stage, guarded by Santa and Mr. Brown's entourage.

As he mingled together snippets of Please, Please, Please with Merry Christmas, Baby, Mr. Brown brought some of the children on stage to dance.

Briana Thomas, 8, was one of the impromptu performers called on to mimic Mr. Brown's trademark dance steps.

Despite the singing and dancing, Briana said she realized the purpose behind the event.

``Maybe some people don't get Christmas, and it's good to come and give them presents,`` she said.

And once the singing died down, the presents started flying.

Organizers distributed toys to about 1,000 children, including Khadefjia Hupp, 8, and her brother Raamiah, 10.

This was the first year their father, Bret Hupp, brought them to the toy distribution.

``The thought behind it is pretty good,'' he said. ``It gives kids something they might not otherwise have.''

After hopping around on stage and hugging children who ran up to him, Mr. Brown said he hoped to continue the event for several more years.

``God makes me do this,`` he said. ``We've got to raise money so we can keep doing this fine work.''

Reach Vicky Eckenrode at (706) 823-3227.

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