Downtown James Brown

Love Downtown James Brown. Running into him is always a treat. His impressions are fun and he will put a smile on your face

DTJB made my day by stopping by my outside table at River Rock Tap House. Of course at first, I was just expecting a request for money but I found him to be entertaining, funny, and willing to give a show. Of course, I gave him a tip but he never asked for it and was never pushy at all. Great experience meeting DTJB!

I have only had the pleasure of meeting DTJB once. I was at Golden Bear and he was singing to a couple of women on the patio. I did give him a couple of bucks because he was good entertainment, and then he sang «Super Freak» for me… I was thoroughly amused! 5 Stars for you, Downtown James Brown!

gets 5 stars for being the coolest homeless dude on the block. yeah, even more than Chad G.

While sitting outside of Rick’s Dessert Diner one time, this guy was strolling by and chatting it up with people sitting at the tables around us. I was sitting with 2 friends, Patrick and Antonio, and my boyfriend, Drew. We had just come from Ink and were enjoying a couple slices of cake.
My friend Antonio works at the library and as soon as he saw DTJB a couple of tables away from us, he began to freak out since apparently he knows him pretty well and didn’t feel like getting sucked into one of his long conversations or clapping dances. He kept asking us, «Is he coming this way??» and also kept saying, «DON’T LOOK OVER THERE! HE’LL SEE US!!!» It was actually quite funny to see Antonio so nervous, but I could understand why. And we also couldn’t just pack up and run since we had just sat down to enjoy our desserts.
Luckily, DTJB passed by our table without noticing us. It was dark, so that was in our favor. But now I totally understand why people try to avoid this dude, especially after seeing him interact with the people around us.

My most intimate experience with DJB was sharing a bus ride with him while he sat on the floor of the bus staring at my girlfriend explaining how the real James Brown only came to Sacramento once and we gave him such a terrible experience that he vowed never to return. I think I’ve heard that story about dozens of entertainers and I’m sure most are true.
While I will admit he is funny and he does advertise the fact that there are online sites and profiles devoted to him, I feel like he isn’t using his full potential as Sacramento’s number one hipster socialite.
He’s classier than the all of the hipster kids in this town that for some reason claim him as their own, but I think he could use a sidekick. Maybe a monkey that plays the drums or a boombox that is easily recognized.

He was funny for like fifteen minutes eight years ago. Though if I didn’t live in Midtown I’d probably rate him four stars or so. But the novelty has worn off. Now he’s just annoying and I cross the street to avoid him, especially since he has known me long enough to recognize me and apparently feels the need to strike up long conversations with me despite the fact that he has nothing to say. Do I look like someone who wants to chat? No, no I don’t. Now go entertain the tourists.

He may be called downtown James Brown, but he does an awesome Richard Pryer, just ask him to do it. When I first moved to midtown a good friend of mine informed me I need not to be scared. He is a street artist, not a beggar! He preforms a street service to all that are priveleged (if your in a good mood and have a dollar in your pocket) to run into him. Hopefully you knocked a couple back, prior to this happening. You can usually find him in front of Golden Bear or any bar that has outdoor seating in midtown.
I actually got to know him a little one night as I was waiting for my boyfriend to meet up with me. I had already had a couple vodka ton’s and decided he was going to go bar hopping with me. After some breaking through to him and getting him out of his «act» I got a chance to find out the real deal about him.
1. He has a house, he is not homeless
2. He started doing James Brown as a kid to make his grand ma-​ma laugh
3. He is more or less a savant and music is his muse (
)
4. He does not drink or do drugs
I’m not gonna lie, if I’m not in the mood for his, alway’s on personality, I switch streets. But he is one of many blessing’s of midtown.

He can always put a smile on your face and sing you a tune. Never in a bad mood. He’s a cool dude ;) But stop him before he starts a song, or he’ll put his hand out.

This man I have known since I was just a wee underage drinker in midtown. He has seen me go from a naïve spoiled brat to street wise spoiled brat.
He is a master of his craft, and takes care of his shhhh.
He can be abrasive and all up in yo face… but if he wasnt he would be just another beggar.