Artist Baruti Tucker paints during the James Brown Get Down event May 6. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News
Artist Baruti Tucker paints during the James Brown Get Down event May 6. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News

Photojournalism: James Brown Birthday Get Down

(Featured image is of artist Baruti Tucker creating a portrait of James Brown. Photo by Mike Adams)

(Updated at 5:33 p.m. May 7 to correctly identify the JB: JAMP Band – JAMP Alumni)

The Godfather of Soul was born 90 years ago May 3, and Augusta turned out to celebrate on May 6 with a funky birthday bash in the parking lot of the Augusta Museum of History.

Fred Wesley, who once played with James Brown, brought his New JB’s to the event and was one of several bands taking the stage.

Artists painted live, while people danced to the funky sounds.

Local artists were on hand to paint live paintings during at the James Brown Birthday Get Down in Augusta, Ga. on May 6, 2023. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
Members of the JB: JAMP Band (JAMP Alumni) perform at the James Brown Birthday Get Down in Augusta, Ga. on May 6, 2023. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
Deanna Brown, right, takes a photo with Fred Wesley’s daughter at the James Brown Birthday Get Down in Augusta, Ga. on May 6, 2023. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
A James Brown impersonator takes a photo with a concert goer at the James Brown Birthday Get Down in Augusta, Ga. on May 6, 2023. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
Concert goers dance to the sounds of Fred Wesley and the New JB’s at the James Brown Birthday Get Down in Augusta, Ga. on May 6, 2023. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
Members of the JB: JAMP Band (JAMP Alumni) perform at the James Brown Birthday Get Down in Augusta, Ga. on May 6, 2023. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.

Mike Adams has won multiple Georgia Press Association Awards for his photography.

Support local journalism: Local stories on local people, organizations and events. That’s the focus of Augusta Good News. And you don’t have to go through a paywall to find these stories. An independent voice in Augusta, Ga., Augusta Good News is not funded by a billionaire or a large corporation; it doesn’t have celebrity reporters who have agents. It’s local women and men who are invested in the community and want to tell its stories. You can support local journalism and help us expand our coverage by becoming a supporter. Through Ko-Fi, you can give once or set up a monthly gift. Click here to learn more. Thank you!

Support Local Journalism

Local stories on local people, organizations and events. That's the focus of Augusta Good News, a member of the Georgia Press Association. And you don't have to go through a paywall to find these stories. An independent voice in Augusta, Ga., Augusta Good News is not funded by a billionaire or a large corporation; it doesn't have celebrity reporters who have agents. It's local people who are invested in the community and want to tell its stories. You can support local journalism and help us expand our coverage by becoming a supporter. Through Ko-Fi, you can give once or set up a monthly gift.

One response to “Photojournalism: James Brown Birthday Get Down”

  1. Kevin Delaigle says:

    Very cool! Great photos!