The 50th anniversary of James Brown's first major hit, Please, Please Please, will not go unnoticed in Augusta. The We Feel Good Committee announced Tuesday the creation of the James Brown's Soul of America Music Festival, to be held downtown from March 30 to April 1.

Charles "Champ" Walker Jr., the festival's honorary chairman, said organizers, which include Clear Channel CSRA, will use facilities from the Reynolds Street train depot to the Augusta Golf and Gardens to honor the contributions of Augusta's most famous musician.

Mr. Walker said preliminary plans include a televised celebrity roast, a celebrity golf tournament, look-alike and dance contests and live music performances by musicians influenced by Mr. Brown's nearly six-decade-long musical career.

"We're asking Mr. Brown to pick out his top 10 that he'd like to see; the emphasis is going to be truly multicultural," he said. "We're going to have all genres of music to capture the essence of his musical genius and influence."

The dates for the festival were chosen to coincide with the Masters Tournament, which takes place a week later. Mr. Walker said organizers are hoping the international spotlight on the city at that time of the year will help drive attendance to 50,000 to 100,000. Proceeds will benefit the James Brown School of Music.

For more information, call 849-1076.

Reach Patrick Verel at (706) 823-3332 or patrick.verel@augustachronicle.com.