2.  Born May 3, 1933 in South Carolina  Died December 25, 2006 in Georgia  Godfather of Soul  Inventor of Funk  Singer, songwriter and recording artist

3.  Dismissed of school at age 13 for “insufficient clothing”.  Went to jail for 3 years at the age of 16 for stealing a car.

4.  While incarcerated, Brown organized and led a prison gospel choir.  Brown befriended Bobby Byrd, an upcoming R&B pianist and singer, while in jail which would prove to be one of the most important friendships in Browns’ life.

5.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H77fRz1r ybs&playnext=1&list=AL94UKMTqg-9AVky- pLHHFv2F7pO5X8frk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H77fRz1r ybs&playnext=1&list=AL94UKMTqg-9AVky- pLHHFv2F7pO5X8frk

6.  Main influences: classic blues, gospel, and African-American folk music.  Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, B.B. King  Jazz input was brought by his two iconic drummers (Clyde Stubblefield and John Starks) who studied jazz before joining his band.

7.  He wrote and recorded "Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud," a protest anthem that has unified and inspired generations.  In 1966, he recorded "Don't Be a Dropout," a plea to the black community to be more focused on education.

8.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHqUipin Dyw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHqUipin Dyw  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlpTRNI Avc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlpTRNI Avc  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk8D7L7E Pcg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk8D7L7E Pcg  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNP8tbD MZNE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNP8tbD MZNE

9.  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/books/the-one- james-brown-biography-by-r-j-smith.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/books/the-one- james-brown-biography-by-r-j-smith.html?_r=0  http://www.biography.com/people/james-brown-9228350 http://www.biography.com/people/james-brown-9228350  http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/james-brown http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/james-brown  http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/gr ove/music/46075?source=omo_gmo&source=omo_epm&typ e=biography&search=quick&q=james+brown&pos=2&_start =1#firsthit http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/gr ove/music/46075?source=omo_gmo&source=omo_epm&typ e=biography&search=quick&q=james+brown&pos=2&_start =1#firsthit