Dr. Deanna Brown grew up traveling the world with her father, “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown.
She had a front-row seat as the musical icon danced and sang at sold-out venues and recorded some of his funkiest top-charting hits.
While she worked for him and even styled his hair during these career highs, Dr. Brown still mainly saw him as her dad. Those memories are stories that she holds close to her heart.
Brown’s longtime friend, Jeremy Cormier, who serves on the board of the James Brown Family Foundation, encouraged her to tell her father’s story through a musical. It’s called “Papa DIDN’T Take No Mess.” Both Brown and Cormier are co-producers of the show that aims to give an intimate look at Brown’s life as a performer while also highlighting who he was behind the scenes with his family.
On Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Brown and Cormier talked with show host Rose Scott about the musical that will run from Oct. 17 to Nov. 1 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur, Georgia. They also reflected on the importance of keeping Brown’s legacy alive.
