AUGUSTA, GA - You would think that when the James Brown "Soul of America" Music Festival is held later this month in Augusta, Georgia -- the guest of honor (The Godfather of Soul himself) would be front and center during the festivities. But James Brown's appearance at the festival was almost a catastrophe waiting to happen.

Through a bit of confusion and miscommunication, event organizers have been rather quiet about the list of scheduled performers, the exact ticket prices, and whether or not James Brown would actually attend and perform at the event.

Brown's business manager and publicist noted that festival organizers never submitted a request to have him and his entourage perform at the 3-day event to be held from May 25 - 27. James Brown's entourage, which consists of numerous band members and backup singers are located throughout the U.S. and would need to be flown to Augusta, Georgia for the festival.

But festival Chairman Champ Walker, who is the son of former Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker (D-GA), has been a close friend of James Brown for decades and says that Brown will be in attendance. During a call-in to a local radio talkshow on Thursday, Walker talked about his familys' lifelong relationship with Brown and reassured supporters that The Godfather of Soul would attend the first annual festival named in his honor.

The guest performer list is still sketchy, but invited performers include Justin Timberlake, Usher, Tony Terry, Lina, The Blackeyed Peas, Bruce Willis, Dan Akroyd, and P. Diddy.

A schedule of events includes a Celebrity Roast, a Celebrity golf tournament, and numerous concerts, hopefully highlighted by a performance from the hardest working man in show business.

The City of Augusta, along with Clear Channel Communications and the Heritage Crest Foundation, are putting on a grand show in support of native Augustan James Brown and expect crowds in excess of 50,000.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit:

• The James Brown School of Music.
• The James Brown Scholarship Fund
• The Greater Augusta Arts Council
• The James Brown Museum

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