For years, it seemed I was alone in the wilderness trying to get some hometown recognition for the many talented people from the Augusta area who have achieved fame.

James Brown, thank goodness, was honored in his life time with a statue and an arena and a street named after him. Ty Cobb might get the same treatment someday.

If you want to learn more about famous folks from this area, there are several exhibits opening or in the works:

- If you haven't been by the Augusta Museum of History, 560 Reynolds St., to see Milledge Murray and Lamar Garrard's excellent collection of local baseball history and its James Brown exhibit, you need to do so.

Go by Saturday for a chance to meet baseball player Lou Brissie, a North Augusta resident who will autograph copies of his recently published biography, The Corporal Was a Pitcher, The Courage of Lou Brissie, from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn more at augustamuseum.blogspot.com.

- The North Augusta Arts & Heritage Center will have its open house from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, on the first floor of the new North Augusta Municipal Center on Georgia Avenue, near the 13th Street bridge.

Mr. Murray, a retired SunTrust bank vice president, who volunteers at the Arts & Heritage Center, wants its rotating exhibits to include spotlights of famous folks with North Augusta ties. See artsandheritagecenter.com.

- The Nancy Carson Library at 135 Edgefield Road in North Augusta is featuring through June an exhibit on Minnie Pearl, who bought her first costume in Aiken; Brenda Lee, who was singing on television station WRDW in North Augusta more than 50 years ago; Flo Carter, who was singing at the same time on WJBF-TV, then situated next to WRDW; and James Brown, who recorded in a studio on East Buena Vista Avenue . I filled four large cases with display items. See abbe-lib.org/northaugusta/index.asp.

Lucy Craft Laney Museum, 1116 Phil-lips St. off Laney-Walker Boulevard, has an exhibit of James Brown memorabilia and exhibits that spotlight other prominent black residents. See lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.

- To open in October at Aiken County Historical Museum, 433 Newberry St. S.W., is a room being developed by executive director Elliott Levy that will be devoted to famous songwriters and entertainers from the county. Mr. Levy hopes it will inspire young county residents to follow their dreams in entertainment. See aikencountymuseum.org.

- Nancy Glaser, the executive director of the Augusta Museum of History, is trying to raise money for a new wing that will focus on celebrities from Augusta or who have strong ties to the area. Summer intern Debra Brown is collecting items for the exhibit, to be called Local Legends. See augustamuseum.org.

TIME MARCHES ON: Doug Stone turns 53 on Friday; Kris Kristofferson, will celebrate his 73rd on Monday; and Ramblin' Tommy Scott in Toccoa, Ga., turns 92 on Wednesday. Happy late birthday to area resident Terri Gibbs, who turned 55 on June 15.

Don Rhodes has written about country music for 38 years. He can be reached at (706) 823-3214 or at don.rhodes@morris.com.