Hello My Sisters and Brothers, I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. After returning from our European trip we've been experiencing some absolutely wonderful crowds at our concerts, crowds that have poured out a lot of love and affection for us. It's been quite extraordinary and very touching. We recently did a hot weekend of festivals starting with the "Sun-Fest" in West Palm Beach, Fl. This was our first time doing this magnificent affair and hopefully it won't be our last. Patti Labelle was there with us playing before some 60,000 or so people packed in the City Park singing and dancing and showing a lot of excitement for us. At one point in the show Patti came on the stage and gave me this humongous hug and went on to say some very sweet things about me, that almost had me crying like a rat eaten onions. I managed to compose myself as the band went on to rock so hard I thought I saw trees dancin:-). The next night we moved on to St. Petersburg, Fl. for their first annual "Funk-Fest". The promoter was looking for about 10,000 people for this groundbreaking affair, but the package, Maze, BabyFace, Bell Biv DeVoe, SWV and Doug E Fresh was so good that we actually played before 35,000 or so. They were ready too:-). Face; who went on just before us is becoming a lot more than a great songwriter and producer. He had a smokin show that's getting better all the time and I'm so very proud of him. We still have quite a few gigs with him so trust me, you owe it to yourself to check this package out. After a long ride from St. Pete we pulled into New Orleans for the mighty "New Orleans Jazz Festival". This fest has been going on about forty years now and the tradition; well lets just say it's incomparable. There is absolutely no other music festival that even comes close to the heritage and tradition of this event. We have been blessed and yes, privileged to have closed this great event three or four times now, playing before eighty to a hundred thousand people. At one point during this year's performance it started raining and I thought oh wow, people are going to start leaving but no, they opened their umbrellas and continued to dance (Electric slide) and sing in the mud...it was mind boggling. Thank you New Orleans for starting this whole thing in 1977 where half of our first Platinum album sales came from your great state. You guys took us in and because of you we are still here today. We understand you and love you in a deep place. In closing I'd like to address the Essence Festival for the last time. There have been rumors going around that we're not on this years Essence Fest because we wanted more money, Not True, or that I am sick, Not True. We are not on it because we were not asked to be on it. It's as simple as that, and this is okay with us and it'll have to be okay with you guys as well because at this point I wouldn't except it anyway. Life will go on and we will continue to love each other like we always have. Nothing can stop the love ya'll. Hopefully we will see you guys somewhere in our travels in the meantime stay well and be strong. Be blessed, Frankie B "Be Thankful" Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something For it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations Because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge Because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary Because it means you've made a difference. It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.