James Brown

On September 14, 2003, CYNTHIA POMPAY BROWN, beloved wife of James Brown. On Thursday, friends may call at the Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Service, 5151 Balto. Nat'l Pike (Rt. 40) from 3 to 8 P.M. On Friday, Mrs. Brown will lie instate at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, 2812 Reisterstown Rd., where the family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11 A.M., with Services to follow. Inquiries to Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Service, (410) 233-2400.

James Brown story. The Godfather required razor's-edge perfection from his bands. Anything less, and you had to pay a fine. So when a musician missed a cue or flubbed a note, Mr. Brown, his hand held behind him where the audience could not see, would splay his fingers - two fingers, four fingers or, heaven help you, all five - as a code to tell the offending player how much his mistake would cost. This particular night, for whatever reason, the band was off its game and the hand was busy flashing increasingly angry signals.

Released after two nights in City Jail on a contempt of court citation in 1978, a weary James Brown told reporters that he wasn't down on Baltimore. "It just seems I've been given a hard time here," he said. For the legendary singer - one of the flashiest and most dynamic performers of his time - this was an understatement. His performances were banned in the mid-1960s for inciting riots. A downtown motel named after him failed within a year. His second wife, with whom he had two daughters, hailed from Baltimore - where she also divorced him in 1983.

On November 22, 2006, CATHERINE E. (nee McCloskey) beloved wife of the late Thomas C. Brown, dear mother of Janet Smith, Thomas C. Brown, Jr., Patricia Garnett, Robert and James Brown and the late Carol Johnson; also blessed with eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Friends may call at Gonce Funeral Service, P.A., 4001 Ritchie Highway on Saturday and Sunday 3 till 5 and 7 till 9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Rose of Lima Church on Monday at 9 A.M. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Pharis McBride, a retired custodian, died of heart failure May 22 at University of Maryland Medical Center. The Baltimore resident was 61. Mr. McBride spent his early years in Baltimore and later moved to Sumter, S.C., where he attended Lincoln High School. In the early 1960s, he returned to Baltimore and began working at Arrow Crown Window Cleaning as a window washer. He remained with the company for about a decade and went on to work for A-1 Janitorial Service and Safeguard Maintenance.

LEON RHODES AUSTIN, 74 James Brown's hair stylist Leon Rhodes Austin, a musician and associate of James Brown who once styled the singer's famous hair, died Thursday at his home in Atlanta, according to C.A. Reid Memorial Funeral Home. A cause of death was not given. Mr. Austin maintained the hair of the "Godfather of Soul" off and on before stage and media appearances for 20 years. Mr. Brown died in Atlanta on Christmas Day 2006. Mr. Austin, a professional stylist, also owned Leon's DeSoto Club in Augusta DANNY DAVIS, 83 Band leader Danny Davis, a Grammy-winning band leader and record producer who blended swing music with a country style, died Thursday at a hospital in Nashville, Tenn.

Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings ESSENTIALS: With a 50-something leading lady and a soul and R&B backdrop straight out of the '60s, it's hard to believe that Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings are a relatively new band. The Dap-Kings' sound may be familiar - they played on Amy Winehouse's album Back to Black. But Jones brings out their best. WHAT TO EXPECT: A James Brown in high-heels, Jones unleashes some electric dance moves on stage. Her live presence has been compared to Tina Turner and even Aretha Franklin, and rightfully so. She often calls fans up to dance and sing backup.

On Thursday, May 5, 2005, THOMAS "BROWNIE" F. BROWN, born on May 5, 1917 in Scranton, PA. "Brownie" began working for the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1942 and retired in 1977 with 35 years of service. The Rosedale resident was 88. "Brownie" was the beloved husband of the late Mary C. (nee Dunleavy) Brown; devoted father of M. Janice Grabowski and her late husband Denis; brother of Joseph Brown, Jane Bishoffberger and the late Marge Noone, James Brown and Paul Brown; grandfather of Jill Klein and Denis Grabowski; great-grandfather of Dylan E. Klein.

Penn State (10-2) vs. Texas (8-4)Site: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.Time: 8 tonightTV: Chs. 13, 9Line: Texas by 1Players to watch:Curtis Enis, Penn State: He ran for 1,210 yards and 14 TDs.James Brown, Texas: He had a huge second half of the season and finished with 17 TD passes and 2,468 yards.Best win:Penn State 29, Michigan 17: Penn State's defense forced five second-half turnovers and blocked a punt as the No. 11 Nittany Lions beat the No. 16 Wolverines. Penn State had four interceptions, recovered one fumble and returned a blocked punt for the go-ahead touchdown.

James Brown and Chuck Brown -- 9:30 Club The funk may be too much to bear as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, and the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, headline the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. N.W. in Washington, Wednesday night at 7. Tickets are $55. For more information, call 800-955-5566 or visit 930.com. Plunge and Fools & Horses -- Recher Theatre / Rock groups Plunge and Fools & Horses play the Recher Theatre, 512 York Road in Towson, tomorrow night at 8. Tickets are $5 and are available through Ticketmaster by calling 410-547-SEAT or visiting ticketmaster.