James Brown’s Family Plans Museum in SC

The children of late soul singer James Brown are planning to turn his home into a Graceland-like museum and build a mausoleum on the site for his body, an attorney for Brown said Friday.

The plans for the Beech Island site are being discussed by Brown’s children, several close friends and the singer’s trustees, said attorney Debri Opri, an attorney for Brown. The group wants to consult with Elvis Presley’s family to see how they did Graceland, Opri said.

“Mr. Brown was a great fan and truly, truly cared about Elvis Presley,” Opri said.

No attempt had been made to contact Presley’s estate by late Friday, said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. But he said it’s not unusual for family members of deceased entertainers to contact the Presley estate.

“We’ve been happy to give the benefit of what we’ve learned to heirs,” Soden said. Soden said Graceland “is very profitable,” generating “millions in revenue.” There are around 600,000 visitors each year, he said.

The Godfather of Soul died of heart failure Dec. 25 at age 73. The entertainer’s body lies in a sealed casket in his home on Beech Island until his children choose his final resting place.