BET Commemorates the Life of Legendary Entertainer James Brown

NEW YORK, NY. (BET Networks) - In immediate response to the passing of one of the greatest contributors to American music, BET NEWS has prepared two remarkable specials reflecting on the life and impact of the author of soul, James Brown. Premiering on Saturday, December 30, 2006 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT, SOUL BROTHER No 1: REMEMBERING JAMES BROWN will be the ultimate tribute with highlight footage and loving retrospect from political activist, Rev. Al Sharpton; Actress, Rosie Perez; R&B singers, Omarion and Full Force; Cultural Critics, Nelson George and Harry Allen; funk bassist and singer, Bootsy Collins and many more. BET will provide an inside look at the many accomplishments framing the singer's success.

In a final salute to a true icon, on Sunday, December 31, 2006 @ 9:30 a.m. ET/PT, THE GODFATHER OF SOUL: CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JAMES BROWN will re-cap the public memorial and celebration in Augusta, Georgia with BET NEWS correspondent, Andre Showell. Tune in as we remember the life of one of music's most influential performers, James Brown.

BET NEWS SPECIAL - SOUL BROTHER No 1: REMEMBERING JAMES BROWN

PREMIERE: Saturday, December 30 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT (half hour special)
(Re-air Sunday, December 31 @ 2 a.m. ET/PT)
(Re-air Sunday, December 31 @ 9 a.m. ET/PT)
(Re-air Monday, January 1 @ 11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
BET NEWS SPECIAL - THE GODFATHER OF SOUL: CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JAMES BROWN
PREMIERE: Sunday, December 31 @ 9:30 a.m. ET/PT (half hour special)
(Re-air Monday, January 1 @ 11:30 p.m. ET/PT)

BET EXECUTIVES IN CHARGE: Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment
Stephen Hill, EVP of Music and Entertainment
Byron Philips, EVP of Entertainment
Keith Brown, VP of News

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Selwyn Hinds (Soul Brother No 1: Remembering James Brown)
Greg Branch (Soul Brother No 1: Remembering James Brown)
Pamela Gentry (The Godfather Of Soul: Celebrating The Life of James Brown)

At the 3RD ANNUAL BET AWARDS in 2003, BET honored Brown with its Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the network on any individual. During that telecast, one of the most memorable moments in music television history occurred when pop star Michael Jackson surprised millions of viewers by joining Brown on stage in a spontaneous outpouring of dance and song in salute to the icon's amazing career that spanned more than five decades.