Five things I'm grateful for:

3. My health: After my near death ruptured appendix experience and subsequent surgery to remove it, I feel more grateful than ever for every precious second I am alive. I also want to give a special thanks to Dr.'s Gindi, Fallus and Spirt who put me back together again.

4. Yoga: It's got me through some of my most emotionally difficult moments this year and kept my body in shape for the long haul of the road. I have been practicing almost everyday while I am recording and it's been a great way to recharge and refresh my creative flow.

5. The People: All the people I've met around the globe this year. New friends, acquaintances, and all the people I hug after every show and only have a moment to share with. It's inspiring and humbling to rawk with the greatest fans in the world every night!

I will be spending the weekend with family and friends and then continuing to record the best record I can make until I take a break in mid-december.

I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season of family, friends, yummy food and sincere gratitude for all you have to smile about!!!

Thanks for an inspiring year.

Big love,
michael franti

Michael provides commentary for a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process in Kingston, Jamaica.

Tickets are currently on-sale for John Mayer's 2010 "Battle Studies" tour featuring special guest Michael Franti and Spearhead.

Click Here To Purchase Tickets »

Check out some photos of Michael recording in Kingston, Jamaica with Sly and Robbie.

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Dear, the best fans ever...

I am super excited to be touring with John Mayer in the spring of 2010. John is an amazing singer and songwriter and guitarist who shares my vision of bringing people together through music to have an incredible time.

Now I've read a few emails and tweets from some of you die-hards expressing concern that perhaps because we are performing in these larger venues the good old intimate days are over. Well, rest assured good people, that no matter where I'm playing - be it a festival in front of 70,000 people or in a bar in front of a dozen, my goal is to always create intimacy through music and connect with y'all through the most rawkin' show possible! We are working on a new album right now and you will be hearing many new jams on this tour so don't sleep.

I look forward to seein' ya on tour next Feb-April and I can guarantee that we will be headlining again in smaller venues, I'll be greeting sweaty fans after every show and you will still be getting the same ol' barefooted me (like it or not!) :). And If you really can't stand coming into the arenas, then just come out to the parking lot before the show because you'll probably find us out there jamming!

Thank you for all your love and support now and over the years,
Michael Franti

“The 11th annual Home For The Holidays,” a very special entertainment special to be aired on Wednesday, Dec. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network will include performances by Michael Franti and will feature his story of adoption. The special will have performances by Faith Hill, who is also hosting the show, Mary J. Blige, Reba McEntire, Shakira, Carrie Underwood and with Jenna Elfman and Nia Vardalos presenting inspirational stories about adoption.

Following the success of the past 10 annual shows, "A Home For The Holidays" continue to tell touching stories that inspire and give a first hand look about foster care adoption to raise awareness for this important social issue and to inspire people to adopt and give a child 'a home for the holidays.' Musical performances frame the emotional story segments which are presented by the featured celebrities who either have their own adoption experiences or are involved with children's issues and want to voice the issue. Michael Franti is an adopted child and his story segment will introduce you to his brothers, Dan and Matthew and his mother Carol that brought him into her family at a young age.

The special is presented in association with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 129,000 waiting children in the United States foster care system and The Children's Action Network was founded in 1990 by leaders in the entertainment industry to harness the power of the entertainment media on behalf of children. The special is a part of CAN's National Adoption Campaign to raise awareness of the joys of adopting and to find homes for the children who are waiting.

MAYER’S BATTLE STUDIES TOUR W/SPECIAL GUEST MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD:

February
4 Thu Ft. Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center
5 Fri Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
6 Sat Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Arena
8 Mon Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum
9 Tue Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena
10 Wed Nashville, TN Sommet Center
12 Fri Auburn Hills (Detroit), MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
13 Sat London, ON John Labatt Centre
14 Sun Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
16 Tue Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
17 Wed Montreal, QC Bell Centre
19 Fri Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
20 Sat Washington, DC Verizon Center
21 Sun Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
24 Wed Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
25 Thu New York, NY Madison Square Garden
26 Fri New York, NY Madison Square Garden
28 Sun Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena

March
1 Mon Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center
2 Tue St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
4 Thu Omaha, NE Qwest Center
5 Fri Oklahoma City, OK Ford Center
6 Sat Houston, TX Toyota Center
8 Mon Austin, TX Frank Erwin Center
9 Tue Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
10 Wed New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
12 Fri Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
13 Sat Louisville, KY Freedom Hall
15 Mon Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex
16 Tue Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
17 Wed Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
19 Fri Memphis, TN Fed Ex Forum
20 Sat St Louis, MO Scottrade Center
22 Mon Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
23 Tue Denver, CO Pepsi Center
25 Thu Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
26 Fri San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
30 Tue Portland, OR Rose Garden
31 Wed Seattle, WA KeyArena

April
1 Thu Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
3 Sat Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome
4 Sun Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
6 Tue Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
7 Wed Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
8 Thu Fargo, ND FargoDome
10 Sat Chicago, IL United Center