The Augusta Chronicle looks at what has happened to some of those at James Brown's side in his last hours and key participants in the Godfather of Soul's "homecoming" services Dec. 30 at James Brown Arena.

Bobby Byrd

Mr. Byrd, an original member of the Famous Flames and longtime co-vocalist with Mr. Brown on several of his hits, performed the song Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine at the "homecoming" services in Augusta. He died Sept. 12 of cancer.

Danny Ray

The past 12 months have been financially rough for Mr. Brown's longtime emcee, who became famous for draping a cape over the seemingly exhausted performer at the end of his signature song Please, Please, Please . Mr. Ray's Augusta home was foreclosed on and sold Dec. 4 because he was eight months behind in his payments, he recently told The Augusta Chronicle . Mr. Ray, 72, said he has had no income except for Social Security since Mr. Brown died last Christmas. His niece, Georgeanne McConnell said Mr. Ray owed about $18,000 on the house that was appraised for $150,000. He also owes about $80,000 in federal and state tax liens.

An attorney for Mr. Ray filed a response to the notice Wednesday, asking the court to allow him to explore ownership of Mr. Ray's home on Winter Street. A hearing on the case will be held next month.

Mr. Ray draped a cape over his former boss for the last time during the Augusta services. However, it would not be the last appearance for the cape. At the 2007 Grammy Awards in February, Mr. Ray draped the funeral cape over a microphone at the end of rapper Chris Brown's tribute performance to the Godfather of Soul. To see the tribute performance, which comes at the 3:38 mark of the video, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjmemE-r2q8.

Michael Jackson

The embattled former King of Pop created the biggest stir during the Augusta ceremonies, his presence generating ecstatic screams of "Michael" from many in attendance. He spoke of his affection for the man he called his "greatest inspiration." Mr. Jackson is gearing up for the 25th anniversary edition of his biggest selling album, Thriller . He's also rumored to be working on a new album, featuring collaborations with current popular artists. Mr. Jackson briefly moved out of the country, living in Bahrain and Ireland, after being acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005. He has since returned to the U.S. with his children, although not to his famed Neverland ranch.

MC Hammer

The former rap superstar who performed at Mr. Brown's funeral is a preacher and has had a program on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. MC Hammer, real name Stanley Kirk Burrell, performed in May as a special guest at the Bamboozle 2007 music festival at Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey. On Sept. 15, he was the finish line act at Nike's Run Hit Remix fun run, performing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. MC Hammer also makes regular posts to his blog, "Look Look Look," at http://mchammer.blogspot.com.

Charlie Reid Jr.

On Dec. 30, 2006, the manager of C.A. Reid Sr. Memorial Funeral Home pulled off the largest funeral in Augusta's history -- James Brown's "homecoming" at the arena bearing his name, attended by 8,000 people. It was one of three funeral services he handled in three states involving the man he'd known since age 9.

In March, Mr. Reid, 60, went into semi-retirement, turning the funeral home over to his son Marcus Reid and his wife Teresa. But he's far from through with the Brown funeral.

The body has yet to be placed in a final resting spot. It's currently in an above-ground mausoleum at his daughter Deanna Brown Thomas' house in Beech Island, but Mr. Reid hopes to eventually move it to Mr. Brown's Beech Island estate, where it can be visited by the public.

Then there's the matter of the bill. Mr. Reid said he's still owed about $18,000. With Mr. Brown's estate tied up in legal battles, he doesn't expect his payment or the interment issue to be resolved any time soon.

"Sometimes, you just have to sit back and wait, that's all," Mr. Reid said.

Andre White

It was the Godfather of Soul's longtime promoter -- and former manager for Marvin Gaye --who convinced the singer to see a doctor about his chest congestion, then massaged Mr. Brown's feet at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Christmas Eve.

He left that night, leaving Mr. Brown with his tour manager Charles Bobbitt and promising he'd return on Christmas.

During the past year, the 63-year-old Decatur, Ga., resident says he's stayed busy as owner of a minority newspaper and part-owner of the Wayfield's grocery story chain. During the holidays, he's playing Santa Claus at the stores for underprivileged children.