Hey Fam,

I've been trying to compose this blog for DAYS but every time I start something grabs my attention. I've never blogged on the tour bus before so I guess with all the people around focusing can be quite a challenge, So Happy SUPER LATE Victoria Day to my fellow Canadians. I was actually in Victoria, BC on Victoria Day, which I found to be very cool. Before I go back I have to send a BIG shout out to Roland And Catherine for coming out to my show in Victoria. Always nice to see familiar faces : )

For those of you who don't know I'm actually on tour right now and so far the tour has been just INCREDIBLE. The people have been coming out and really supporting your girl. I mean were still having people buy "THIS IS ME" in record numbers not to mention our T-Shirts are selling like hot cakes. They're limited edition so if you can try to one at your next Jully Show. I must admit they're really HOTT!

I haven't had the time to keep you totally up to date after every show BUT I Promise I will try to check in as much as possible. With that said, lets go back Kelowna where we rocked the house to a sold out crowd. I must admit that this Album REVIVAL has really diversified my audience. It humbles me to see 6 year olds and 76 year olds plus all the in betweens at my concerts. Kwame Mensah was on the house at the Kelowna show. He was one of my very first dancers and is a part of the JB foundation for sure.

Vancouver was LIVE!!!! It was a dream come true for sure as all the stars were perfectly aligned. Sold out crowd adult, 34-degree weather, incredible venue with perfect lighting and amazing sound. The people came to party!! They bought the merchandise; they knew ALL the songs I'm talking as far back as RALLY'N, etc. Plus, D.Shon Henderson my best friend and background vocalist was there which brings the show to a whole other level. One day I'll have him on retainer and he'll be able to be there all the time. I know it will happen at least by my next record. So if you're reading this D.Shon WE MISS YOU!!! My horn section was also there Vince and Trent, which also brings the show to another place. My Programmer and one of my Drummers Adrian "AP" Porter is back in Atlanta now and YoungPete has arrived so we are all in transition but it's fun. AP is FUNNY as hell so I've had to ration my time around him or I would laugh my voice away! God has really been working everything out for me. Actually lemme go there in another paragraph. Whistler was a fun show. There were Lot's of young people partying for the long weekend. I just find that it sometimes feels a bit like the Truman show out there. It doesn't feel real. Then apparently the population is 80 percent Australian so you really don't feel like you're in Canada. It's a very beautiful place with the mountains and all, I just didn't really know how to feel out there. The concert is when I felt the most comfortable. People came out and we had a BLAST!

I've been doing my best to stay connected and enjoy every moment of this tour and life in general. I have wonderful players with me who have amazing personalities and the right intentions. I'm learning that no matter how good someone is at something if their hearts aren't in the right place having them around won't serve any purpose. I won't lie I look forward to the day when I can keep people on board or find people who will be with me ALL the way. Things were obviously different in the James Brown days or Luther Vandross Days where they basically had players and people on board until they went on to be with GOD. I'm affirming that the right opportunity will come for me where I can have the people I need to be around and who want to me around there 100% of the time. I'm laying the foundation now for the next season of my life. I even want to take my Mom on the road since she's retired and LOVES to cook and take care of my friends and me. Why not put Mom on payroll and have her with me. I miss her so much. She's my very first best friend who has NEVER let me down.

Well, off to Edmonton tonight then Banff (I LOVE BANFF). I must admit It's a blessing to have been chosen to do this tour and I'm proud to be the one to offer so many people who are here with me a chance to see how beautiful Canada is.

For this tour we have Andrew Thompson (Guitar), YoungPete Alexander (Drums), Adrian "AP" Porter (Programmer and Drums), Roger Williams (Bass), Joel Josephs (Keys and Sax), D.Shon Henderson (Vocals), Saidah Baba Talibah (Vocals), Miku Graham (Vocals), Trent Reschny (Sax), Vince Spilchuk (Trumpet). Sean Richards (FOH) and Matt Sullivan (Stage Mix/Monitors). Horns can't be with us for the entire tour BUT I love having them here whenever we can.

So were rolling pretty deep. Everyone here are such amazing people and I'm VERY grateful to have them all here for such a historic tour. This is a first for RnB in Canada. Selling out theatres!!! I believe this was all written even before It was put together. : )

I trust, I believe, I'll achieve.

Smooches, JB

Hey Fam,

Just checking in to say what's up and give you an update of how the tour is going to far. Well first of all this morning I woke up and looked out the window and saw one of the prettiest sights I've seen in my life. I'm sure you're wondering what that was. Well, at this very moment I'm on the tour bus heading Kelowna, BC and we have to drive through the mountains to get there and MANNNN what a beautiful sigh! The ride is till quite bumpy so sleeping in my bunk was a bit rough. I have the option of having the back room but I like being in the bunks with the band. One day I'll own my own bus and then I'll design a bedroom fit for a "Queen". Hehe!

So yesterday was a travel and show day so of course I was up packing til 3am when I had to leave and 6am... That happens every time I travel. I gotta work on not being so anxious as it just keeps my up. Anyway, first stop on the Tour was Calgary, Alberta the city where I won my first of Many to come Juno Awards (You gotta speak it even before it happens). Oh did I tell you I'm going to have one of the biggest selling recording careers to come out of Canada : ) I really believe it will happen one day.

Back to the story, see that's what happens when you are looking at the mountains as you type : ) Back to the story, we arrived and Calgary was nice and warm (Ding Dong Winter Gone, Finally Winters gone), we then proceeded to get on the tour bus to officially start the "JULLY BLACK EXPERIENCE TOUR". I got word that we were sold out ( which damn near had me in tears) which made me very happy however, I wondered what my crowd would now be after the JUNOS, etc. Well lemme tell ya, there were kids there that were all of 8 yrs old and people that were at least 70 years old... Pretty Crazy eh??? So now I had to work... For real... I had to work to please my fans of 10 years both old and new (No pun intended).

WE ROCKED IT! Oh, did I mention that this is my first ever Soft Seat, Hard ticketed tour? Meaning part of this were the types really came to sit down and see a show. Then the other wanted to dance... I tell ya, thank god for truth and passion, honesty and love. I went up there and decided to Just do me. Be Jully. Tell my stories, tell Moms stories and it was a HUGE success. We sold T-Shirts and Both "THIS IS ME" and "REVIVAL" CD's. Calgary Rocked!

Tonight I play Kelowna, BC. I'll let you know how it goes.

One thing I do need right about now is some cell phone reception so my man and I can have our daily Good Morning Call. I miss him so much but all of this work is for a bigger purpose.

Oh I want to dedicate last nights performance of 'Catch me when I fall" to a fan named JASON who lost his friend JANICE to Cancer just this past Sunday. I met him after the show last night and was just moved when he told me that he was so happy I performed that song and how much it is helping him in his time of mourning.

People like JASON make it al worth it. No matter how long it may have taken me to get here, the truth is I'm right on time. Many are called but few are chosen and I'm VERY proud to be apart of a chosen generation of story tellers and musicians.

Shout outs to the Staff at THE GRAND THEATRE in Calgary. I enjoyed working with you all.

Back to get some more Zzzzzzzzzz's : )

Smooches,

JB

Hey Fam,

it's 2:38AM and I am so pumped to go on my tour. The Band is tight and the vibe is amazing. we rehearsed from 1pm-11pm today and it felt like an hour. I guess that what "Funny how time flys" means : )

Well, I'm keeping this short as I am SUPER tired. Lots to get caught up with BUT n time. I have to bring my man to the airport a6am (by choice of course. It's Just something I find VERY beautiful). Anyway, be back to ya in the AM.

Smooches,

JB