Heads of State also known as BGT was formed at the end of 2008 by New Edition members Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant. During the Home Again tour in 1997, Jam & Lewis, who suggested that the other three members of New Edition Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe form Bell Biv DeVoe in 1990, also suggested that Bobby, Ralph and Johnny form a trio, but they were never able to accomplish their goal until 2008. They began touring in 2008 as a trio on the Summit Tour. On July 3, 2011, Heads Of State reunited with Bell Biv DeVoe as "New Edition" for the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. As of 2011, Bobby, Ralph and Johnny were still touring as "Heads of State", as well as working on their solo projects.