James Brown weds sweetheart at private ceremony in South Carolina

Jet, Jan 21, 2002

Godfather of Soul James Brown recently married the lead vocalist of his group and mother of his newborn son, during a private ceremony at his estate on Beech Island, SC.

Brown and his sweetheart of three years, singer Tommie Rae Hynie, exchanged vows during a 45-minute ceremony as more than 150 family members and friends, including famed boxing promoter Butch Lewis, looked on.

Also enjoying the festivities was the couple's six-month-old son, James Brown II, who was dressed in a black tuxedo like his world-famous dad.

During the reception, the happy lovebirds sang the Brook Benton and Dinah Washington tune, You've Got What It Takes.

Guests enjoyed an assortment of shrimp, salmon, steak and chicken at the wedding reception.

It is Brown's fourth marriage and Hynie's first. The singer's last wife, Adrienne, died in 1996.

Brown, 68, met Hynie, 32, about three years ago in Las Vegas. She later became the lead vocalist of his group and traveled the world with him.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

They later flew together to Honolulu, Hawaii, for a special New Year's Eve concert where they performed with his group, The Soul Generals.

Brown has been a major music force for more than four decades with such hits as Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Say It Loud, I'm Black And I'm Proud, I Got You (I Feel Good), Please, Please, Please, Sex Machine and Living in America.

In addition to his newborn son, Brown has five other children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all of whom attended the wedding festivities.