At 12:30 a.m. Thursday, James Brown stood sentry in the biting cold over a small group who had come to pay its respects.

Two men were from Tupelo, Miss. They had just learned that Mr. Brown was from Augusta and sought out his bronze likeness.

Like thousands of others this week, they were drawn to the statue. The caped figure, microphone in hand, stands on a granite and bluestone stage.

Since Mr. Brown's death early Monday, a steady stream of fans has brought flowers, candles, albums, notes, photos and other memorabilia to honor the Godfather of Soul.

Nelson Curry was one of those early visitors Monday.

"I was just kind of drawn to it. It made me sadder, (but) it just had a magical feeling."

For Mr. Curry, the statue is more than just a place to visit. He and his partner, Sam Bussey, were behind the effort to raise the statue from the street level onto a stagelike structure.

The statue is Augusta's most visible and tangible tribute to the Hardest Working Man in Show Business.

Former Augusta Mayor Bob Young also has been by several times this week - dropping off a bright red poinsettia on one visit.

It was Mr. Young who pushed for a lasting tribute to Mr. Brown and brought the statue project to life.

"I thought it would be appropriate that we had one," Mr. Young said.

He worked with sculptor John Savage and raised money for the statue, which was dedicated May 6, 2005.

From the moment the statue was unveiled, some thought it needed to be raised so that it would be more visible.

The Augusta Commission discussed it, but it took Mr. Bussey and Mr. Curry, partnering with the city, to really get the effort going.

Mr. Bussey, a music producer who owns a construction company, wrote a check for $5,000, and the two launched a fundraising campaign, "Lend a Hand to Raise the Man," getting publicity from Minnesota Fattz, of Clear Channel's WKSP Kiss 96.3 and WPRW Power 107.7.

On Thursday, Mr. Bussey walked around the statue and picked up a photo of a woman hugging James Brown from the nest of flowers and candles covering the platform.

"James Brown was truly a legend to the world, but he was truly a father to this community," Mr. Bussey said.

Mr. Curry, who is also a music producer, said he just wanted to do his part for a man he has long admired and loved.

And the two would like to see more done - maybe a wall behind the statue with replicas of Mr. Brown's many albums. Or maybe a second statue should be erected, this time in front of the James Brown Arena.

"If anybody wants to take on that task, we're with you," Mr. Curry said.

And there is a final piece of work that he wants placed on the stage under the statue. He has discussed with officials an inscription that would be chiseled across the front.

"He was a man of the people. He never stopped trying."

Mr. Curry paused for a moment.

"I think he would like that."

COMPLETE COVERAGE

James Brown: 1933-2006

James Brown, the world renown musical celebrity who never forgot his hometown of Augusta, died unexpectedly Christmas morning in an Atlanta hospital at age 73.

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• Full coverage: Photos, video and stories