Rarified Heir Podcast #121: Deanna Brown Thomas (James Brown)

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Deanna Brown-Thomas, whose father was none other than Mr. Dynamite aka, The Godfather of Soul aka “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business”. We are of course talking about the legendary James Brown. When Deanna agreed to be a guest on the podcast we had no idea just how honest and forthcoming she would be talking about her father. In fact, she used the word ‘transparency’ and that’s exactly what our interview was like. Outspoken, honest, joyful and genuine, Deanna spoke to us about everything from what it was like meeting (or perhaps being set up with) Eddie Murphy backstage as an adult to meeting Soul Train host Don Cornelius on camera as a four year old. As we discussed on this episode, there were very few entertainers who were as well-known across the world other than James Brown and we dig into it.

We also learned of James Brown 75/25 rule about show business which frankly was a life lesson we should all learn from. For a man who was known for his explosive live act, it was the school of hard knocks that made him learn that without the business, there was no show. When you work as hard as James Brown did onstage, you better believe, it was taken care of offstage. We also spoke about Deanna’s career in radio, in running the James Brown Family Foundation and the James Brown Academy of Music Pupils in Augusta, Ga which provides musical education for local school children as well as a James Brown tour – the only one you can see in the world. We also learned about the James Brown estate which Deanna was very, yes transparent about.. We also discussed James Brown’s role in the civil rights movement, his love of Jazz, his ownership of radio stations, what it was like behind the scenes and one subject we like to talk about - life on the road. It’s sometimes not all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, you might find yourself ordering room service instead of attending an afterparty on the road with her dad. You’ll have to listen for yourself.

Deanna was a fantastic guest, a warm and frank person who wasn’t afraid to ‘go there’. So take a listen, to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast and you’ll see what we are talking about.