James Brown Attends Ga. Festival

MACON, Ga. (AP) - James Brown returned to his musical roots at the Macon Music & Heritage Festival, crediting a local radio station's willingness to play his records with helping launch his career.

The Godfather of Soul cited Macon native Little Richard and local promoter Clint Brantley as strong influences of his success, along with Macon radio station WIBB.
"Make a record as soon as you can and get it to these guys,'' Brown told local musicians Saturday, referring to the station.

One of Brown's first bands, the Famous Flames, was based in Macon and recorded their hit "Please, Please, Please'' at WIBB in November 1955.
"This is what made America,'' Brown said of the music that emanated from Macon and made a legend out of a poverty-stricken boy who once earned money by promoting his aunt's Augusta brothel.