Still Feeling Good

The Blue Flame Band keeps the Godfather’s fire burning

Comments (0) By Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik Thursday, Sep 20 2007

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James Brown was the hardest-working man in show business, a relentless touring machine who loved nothing more than putting on a sweat-drenched, high-octane performance for fans night after night. With his beloved cape, inimitable dance moves, and trademark “Hey!” he etched a place in rock and roll history. Right alongside him was his backing band, counting the rhythm, keeping pace, and hitting the audience with the horns whenever the Godfather of Soul demanded it.

“That’s what we do! We play music!” declares Timothy Hines, lead guitarist for James Brown for four years. Now that the Godfather has shuffled off this mortal coil, four of the members of his backing band have fleshed out their lineup and formed a group of their own. They’re known as the Blue Flame Band, and tonight at 8:00, they’ll rock the Carnival Center’s Studio Theater. “They are truly starving musicians, and this is the preservation of living black musical history. They put on a high-energy show, so come expecting to dance,” says the band’s agent, Herbert Otey. The Godfather might be gone, but his legacy lives on tonight. Tickets cost $37. Call 305-949-6722, or visit www.carnivalcenter.org. Learn more about these talented and seasoned musicians at www.myspace.com/theblueflameband1.
Sat., Sept. 22, 8 p.m., 2007