The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Saturday called the late musician Leon Rhodes Austin "a great musical frame of reference in Augusta."

In a call to The Augusta Chronicle , the activist and Baptist minister said, "James Brown became the biggest star out of Augusta, but those who know Augusta music not only know about James Brown and the Famous Flames but about Leon Austin and the Buicks.

"Leon was not only a great musician but such a nice guy," he added. "People just loved him. I did my national network TV broadcast today in Chicago and I dedicated it to Leon.

"There is a Memphis sound, a Motown sound and there is an Augusta sound, and Leon was a big part of it. I've known Leon over 50 years. I loved him so much. I called his wife (Emma) and had prayer with her yesterday."

The Rev. Jackson said he cannot attend Mr. Austin's funeral in Augusta on Monday but has been staying in close contact with the family. Mr. Austin, one of the last links to the early life of Mr. Brown, died June 12 at his home in Augusta. He was 74.

Two visitations are planned with the family from 2 to 6 p.m. today at C.A. Reid Sr. Memorial Funeral Home, 314 Laney-Walker Blvd., and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at United House of Prayer, 1269 Wrightsboro Road.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is to deliver the eulogy for the funeral, which begins at 7 p.m. Monday at House of Prayer. The visitations and funeral are open to the public. The burial at an undisclosed cemetery Tuesday is private.

Mr. Austin, a professional hairstylist and owner of Leon's DeSoto Club, and Mr. Brown had known each other since third grade at Silas X. Floyd Elementary School. Mr. Austin toured with Mr. Brown for several years, playing keyboards, and maintained Mr. Brown's trademark hairstyle for nearly 20 years.

The Rev. Jackson, who grew up in Greenville, S.C., said he first came to know of Mr. Austin in the mid-1950s.

"Leon was a high school track star," the Rev. Jackson recalled. "Sterling High (which Mr. Jackson attended) in Greenville and Lucy Laney High School in Augusta used to compete. So we knew about him in his athletic life.

"But I knew him better as Leon Austin and the Buicks in the music world. Leon, in our circles, was real prominent. ... They were a very dynamic group. So I got know Leon quite well over the years."

The Rev. Jackson said Mr. Austin picked up a lot of his soulful music from the "shout band" of musicians at House of Prayer.

"The House of Prayers (nationwide) always have had outstanding musicians," the Rev. Jackson said. "So really, Leon and his group influenced James Brown and his group as well."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson: Leader says Augusta musician Leon Austin had quite an influence on James Brown.