James Brown Tribute in Song and Story
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Word Count: 730
Author: Kevin Thompson
As a little boy growing up in Bed-Sty Brooklyn I received an
education like no other from a Black Man born in South Carolina.
I started my education with him at age 8. He told me stories of
my father. He told me when my father got off the "Night Train",
"Papa had A Brand New Bag". To ensure I was a good boy and
minded my manners he would threaten to call my father and say,
"Papa come here quick and bring him that licking stick." I knew
"Papa don't take no mess". This man had me so scared; "I'd break
out in a cold sweat". If I saw him with the licking stick I
would try to grab it out of his hands. He would tell me to "Give
it up and turn it loose".
I grew up as a teenager in New York in the 70's. It was the best
time in the world. Why? Afro's and Hot Pants were every where.
At age 13, I just knew I was in heaven.
I came to know this man as the God Father. As a teenager he
schooled me about women, love and social consciousness. He
wanted me to be proud of who I was. So he wrote a song. Would
you like to hear it? Well here it goes. He would say, "Say It
Loud" and I would repeat "I'm Black and I'm Proud" He'd say, "I
don't want no body to give me nothing open up the door and I'll
get it himself". The God Father later told me that I had soul
and "I'm Super Bad".
Looking at those girls in there outfits he'd whisper in my ear
that I should take her, skinny legs and all. When we were
walking down the street he would point the women out to me, one
at a time. And don't let them be wearing Hot Pants. He'd call
them out. "Hot Pants Hot Pants. That's where it's at. That's
where it's at." It took me along time before I understood what
he meant by that's where it's at. The God Father also told me
that "It was a man's world. But it meant nothing, nothing
without a woman or a girl." I believed what he said was true
because my mind was stuck on those women in their Hot Pants.
All through my life I would try to imitate how he danced and I
got really good at it. As I got older he began to give me
instructions and told me to "Get on the Good Foot". I had no
idea that one foot was better than the other. Then he taught me
how to "Get up and do My Thang, Movin, Grovin". I was so excited
that I had "Ants in my pants and I need to dance".
When I went away to college I had an argument with my girl
friend from High School, and I told her exactly what my God
Father had taught me to say. I told her she was "Talking loud
and saying nothing, just saying nothing". We broke up. I met
someone new. Then she left me for a friend of mine. Boy was I
mad. My God Father had the words for me to say then too. I told
my friend, "You better get ready for the Big Pay Back". Till
this day I don't know why she left me, maybe because, "I'm a
greedy man, greedy man; yes I'm a greedy man". My God Father
said, "Now brother don't leave your home work un done." Well I
got that message loud and clear. From now on when ever I am
faced with that type of situation, instead of walking around
"Bewildered", I'll tell her that she better "Think, think,
think". When she starts to talk back, I'll say "Static, Static,
Static don't start none wont be none". If that does not work
I'll say "Baby you're right". And if that does not work I'll be
down on my knees saying, "Please, please, please". If she is
foolish enough to leave me, The God Father told me to tell her
that, "I've got a bag of my own".
The God Father even has my children singing, "I live in
America". Now he has moved on to be with our heaven father, but
I thank him for his influence on the world and all the lives he
has touched. He was known as the God Father of Soul, but I like
to think of him as my God Father. He was the hardest working man
in show business. The eighth wonder of the world, the one, the
only James Brown.
About the Author
Kevin J Thompson is a seven time award winning professional speaker honored by an international organization. He is an author and presenter on topics related to Customer Service in Health Care, personal growth and result orientated communication. A graduate of Rutgers University with a Masters in Public Administration, Kevin's presentations are inspiring, enlightening with humorist flair. http://www.kevinthompsononline.com/Kevin_Thompson_Online_-_Con.html
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