2012 Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Seven months ago I left California in my motorhome "LCoache" and drove across the USA. I made it to my final destination in Key west 2 1/2 months later. After I put LCoache in storage I headed off to Central America, then to the Caribbean and I am still here. I'm actually at a little Tiki Bar writing this to you. I love living down here..it is such a simple, beautiful way of life. My home is right near the ocean and I have horses and donkeys and cattle all around and frogs that sing me to sleep. It is truly a beautiful place and I feel blessed to call it home.

As much as I love it here I am excited to get back on the road and tour! I head to Florida this week to resurrect LCoache and to play a show in Lake Worth. Then I head to Cali and Arizona to perform and then I'll hit up the studio to record some new material for you. Don't forget to check out my show schedule below and if you're able to come to a show send me a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can meet up before I take the stage. Dates to put on your calendar: April 14th Lake Worth FL, April 20th San Diego, April 22nd Laguna Beach, May 3-4-5 Arizona.

My plan is to head back to Key West in May then back to Caribbean for a few weeks before embarking on a 2 1/2 Month Summer Tour from Key West to Boston to Minnesota to New Orleans and back to the Keys. This will be my first time performing in many of these towns and the first time I will get to meet many of you. This is going to be an epic summer.

Click here to see a very rough map/route of where I will be touring. We have just started booking and as you can guess booking a tour like this as a independent artist takes some real work. So, please if it looks like I am coming through your town, or even 1 or 2 hours from your town send us an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . James Crossman is working with me on routing this tour and one of us will get back to you immediately. We could use some help navigating the small venues in your area and if your interested in hosting the very first Justin James concert in your city... I'm always available to play a home concert.

I am officially on island time. From Costa Rica to Cuba to the Dominican Republic, so far it’s been a great winter. I have been coming to the Caribbean for 17-18 years but this winter has had a different feel for me, knowing that I will be based out of Caribbean when I am not touring, has really allowed me to sink my feet in the sand.

Cuba was one of the most magical experiences I have had in my life. The country is filled with energy, music and love. You don’t see Havana with your eyes, you see it with your heart. I landed at the airport and I had no idea where I was going to sleep. I just grabbed a taxi into Old Havana and looked for a Casa Particular. (bed and breakfast) I lucked out and found a great Cuban family and settled right into the way of life. The first few day I just strolled around in amazement. Music, dancing and energy all day, all night. I took a few trips to other spots on the island, I wrote a few songs and I had the best of times. There are a few photos here, but click here to see more pics of my trip to Cuba.

I arrived in the Dominican Republic after Cuba and it feels good to be back. I am taking Spanish lessons, surfing lots and trying to get some work done ;). I will tour across the island to the North Shore at the end of March just in time for Semana Santa. (that's the biggest 10 day party you have never seen!)

In April I will be back for a few shows in South Florida and then off to California to hit the studio, perform and see some familiar faces. I will be performing in Florida and in California so please keep an eye on my calendar.

When things start warming up I am planning to take my little motor home from Florida all the way up the East Coast. I am still in the early stages of planning things out and if you want to help me find a location or want me to perform at your party please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . I absolutely love touring and meeting all of you and I am going to continue to take my music from town to town but as an independent artist booking a tour is the single most time consuming and difficult part of the job so any help would be greatly appreciated.

"Perfect Sometimes" Ringtone

Would it make you smile to hear "Perfect Sometimes" when your phone rings? My first official ringtone is now available on iTunes! (Sorry, It's only available for iPhones) Just visit iTunes from your iPhone and do a search for "Perfect Sometimes". Scroll to the bottom of the results and you'll see our brand-new ringtone!

"A Beautiful Life" Gets Accolades

Don't forget, I need your help booking my East Coast tour! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and tell me where you'd like to see me play.

Aloha!

JJ

Hola !

What a great start to the New Year. Ringing in 2012 in Costa Rica was unforgettable. Yoga, Surf, Sushi and Music. That seems to be my daily routine down here. I truly love this country. The Pura Vida lifestyle is seen in everyone down here and any stress just floats away with the warm breeze.

I have been here nearly 3 weeks and this Friday I head off to Cuba! I have never been there but I have heard it's magic. "The New Orleans of the Caribbean", I've been told. If that is true I am going to love it because I sure do love The Big Easy. I'll make sure I snap a lot of pics and let you know how my trip to Cuba goes. After 2 weeks in Cuba I head back home to the Dominican Rep.

Yes..I am now calling that home. It was funny 'cause yesterday someone asked me "where do you live?" I paused and was like, "hmmm well ummm...I don't really live anywhere!" I continued to explain that I was an independent artist and that I had sold everything I owned, bought a motorhome toured coast to coast, stored my RV in Florida and that now I'm traveling and singing my way through the tropics. Their jaw dropped and they said "WOW !!"

I think one day I'll look back and say "I lived one hell of a life" I sure could not do this if you were not there supporting me. Thanks!

So yes, the first island of the new world ... the first place ever discovered by Christopher Columbus and the most beautiful paradise anyone has ever seen is where I will be spending my time when not touring. It is where I will call home and you know you're always welcome to come visit and see me perform at a tiki bar.

One Beating Heart Video Project

Finally finished! Waooo... It took a lot longer then expected but we have a finished project. We now have a video to help support the cause. Check it out on my video page.

Remember to spread the word because all the iTunes proceeds of this song go directly to Hands.org. and help areas and people affected by disaster.

Tour Plans

After Cuba I'll be performing in the Dominican Rep and around the Caribbean for Two months. I then plan on being in Cali in late April and doing a quick tour up the coast and maybe into Arizona. Then off to Hawaii before touring Canada coast-to-coast. Early summer 2012 I plan on being back in "LCoache" and touring the mid-west and East Coast and a possible 2 week tour of Europe end of summer 2012. If you would like to see me perform send a message to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and lets make it happen.

As a little thank you, click here for a free download of an unreleased song "My Town". I wrote this about my beautiful hometown, Vancouver, BC.

Aloha,

JJ