"MY DAD WORKED at the Imperial as the projectionist and we always went to work with him and played in the balcony when we were kids. It was closed on the weekdays, so that's when James would come to the movies so he could sit upstairs and enjoy the show without being bothered. I remember seeing him and talking before the movie started lots of times, even through high school and college. He always had a kind word to share and would sit and talk to my dad." - Britt Barkley, Valdosta, Ga.
"IN 1977, James Brown took a chance on me and gave me my first job in radio at his station, WRDW, in Augusta. I was also in the military full time. Over the next few years, James Brown continued to mentor me and call me up while I was on the air to offer encouragement along with tips on how to survive (on) the radio and how to be a better person. Because of that, it made me not just a better person but a better soldier, and I learned to appreciate life more and the people I worked with. I salute James Brown and say thank you. You made a impact on my life and I will forever be grateful." - Jerry LaBelle, Atlanta (currently in Iraq)
"I WORK in radio, and a record company friend of mine from Nashville was in town and we went to dinner at the old Sheraton. When we walked in, we saw Mr. Brown and some friends eating. We walked over to his table and said hello and then we went to our table to have dinner. As Mr. Brown was leaving, he stopped by our table and spoke to us again and gave us a CD and autographed it for us. He was very nice and friendly. After he left, his manager walked back in and told us Mr. Brown had paid for our meal and hoped we enjoyed our dinner." - T. Gentry, North Augusta
"MY SISTER, Elaine, and I met Mr. Brown one afternoon on Broad Street shopping. He was coming out of his radio station with his bodyguard when I stopped and asked him for his autograph. His face lit up with his famous smile as he signed my autograph book and talked to the both of us. After our conversation, he said, 'Augusta sure does have some sweet Georgia peaches.'" - Valerie Morris, Augusta
"IN 1993 when I was a sick baby and a resident of Medical College of Georgia Hospital, Mr. Brown came to visit me and other sick children for Christmas. I received a white Christmas bear from Mr. Brown. I know he loved children and he is now in heaven playing with them. God bless you, Mr. Brown." - Joseph Bright, North Augusta
"I MET him as a little girl waiting on the big bus that pulled into Brown Street to see what my Uncle Joe brought back from his trip with James Brown. One day, Mr. Brown himself came in and had dinner with us. I was so glad to have the one and only James Brown at our table eating and laughing." - Deshun Tanksley, Augusta
"IN 1996, I was visiting my future husband, Charles, and we were out and about in downtown Augusta. As we walked by the radio station, there before us was James Brown. I ... walked up and said hi. He inquired on where I was from and I told him Baltimore. He said he had ties to Baltimore. One of his previous wives was from the area. It was a magical moment to meet the icon." - Nickie Helsen, Lutherville, Md.
"WHEN I was about 12, my mother and I went to the Augusta airport to pick up my great aunt. He was getting ready to fly out. I remember telling my mother, 'There goes James Brown.' My mother thought he was not going to be friendly, but he heard me and stopped me and my mom, asked me my name and gave me an autographed picture of him and the only cash in his pocket, which was $14. I was the happiest little girl in Augusta for a long time. He was a man first and then an entertainer. I will always have these wonderful memories of him." - Ebony Lundy, Augusta
"I MET James Brown at Ejays, a restaurant in Aiken back in the 1990s. I was with a group of co-workers and when I looked behind us, I saw he was with several people. No one was brave enough to go and speak to him, but I got up and went to his table. I introduced myself and told him I enjoyed seeing him in the movie The Blues Brothers and I liked his songs. He was extremely nice and signed a note to a friend of mine. I never forgot how nice and kind he was that day." - Virginia Dunn, Graniteville
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