John Mayer
John Mayer was born on 16/10/1977 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His full birth name was John Clayton Mayer. He grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut. He first became interested in guitar after seeing the guitar performance in the film "Back to the Future". At the age of 13, his father rented a guitar for him to play. After his neighbour gave him a Stevie Ray Vaughan cassette, Mayer became interested in Blues music and started seeking out other Blues guitarists. He took guitar lessons from a local guitar shop owner, Al Ferrante.In 1997, Mayer enrolled at Berklee College of Music. After two semesters he dropped out and moved to Atlanta with college friend Clay Cook to form a duo. The duo was called the LoFi Masters. They split up when Mayer wanted to move towards pop music and Mayer started a solo career. He recorded an EP with engineer Glenn Matullo called "Inside Wants Out". Cook had co-written many of the EP's songs including the first commercial single release "No Such Thing". The EP was co-produced by David "DeLa" LaBruyere who played bass on the recordings.
Mayer and LaBruyere performed throughout Georgia and nearby states. Mayer would also promote himself on the internet.
In 2000, Mayer appeared at the festival "South by Southwest". He was spotted by Aware Records. They included him in their concerts and compilations.
In 2001, Mayer released the internet only album "Room for Squares" with Aware Records. During the period, Aware signed a deal with Columbia Records which gave them first pick in signing Aware artists. In September, Columbia remixed and rereleased "Room for Squares". The re-release also included reworked studio versions of the first four songs from "Inside Wants Out".
During 2002, songs from "Room for Squares" would become radio hits including "No Such Thing", "Your Body Is a Wonderland", and "Why Georgia".
In 2003, Mayer won a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for the song "Your Body is a Wonderland". In the same year, Mayer released the live album "Any Given Thursday" which peaked at number 17 on the US chart. Mayer went on tour with the Counting Crows. Also in 2003, Mayer released the album "Heavier Things". The album peaked at number 1 on the US chart. During 2003, Mayer would perform at a concert with Buddy Guy at the Irving Plaza.
In 2004, Mayer released the live album "AsIs" which he recorded over seven nights of a US tour. Also in 2004, Mayer appeared at Eric Clapton's festival Crossroads Guitar Festival.
In 2005, Mayer's song "Daughters" from the album "Heavier Things" won the Grammy for Song of the Year. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart and 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Mayer would also win the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Also in 2005, Mayer appeared on Eric Clapton's album "Back Home", Buddy Guy's album "Bring 'Em In", B. B. King's album "80" and John Scofield's album "That's What I Say". He would also appear on Common's song "Go". During 2005, Mayer formed the blues rock act the John Mayer Trio. The band also included bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Steve Jordan. They released the album "Try!" in 2005.
In 2006, Mayer received the Hal David Starlight Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also in 2006, Mayer released the album "Continuum". It was intended to blend blues and pop together. Mayer won the Grammy for Best Pop Song with Vocal for the song "Waiting on the World to Change" and Best Pop Album for "Continuum". In the same year, Mayer released the EP "The Village Sessions" which featured acoustic versions of his songs.
In 2007, Mayer performed a duet with Alicia Keys at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. Also in 2007, Mayer would appear on a hidden track on Kanye West's album "Graduation".
In 2008, Mayer hosted a three-day Caribbean cruise event which included David Ryan Harris, Brett Dennen, Colbie Caillat, and Dave Barnes, amongst others. Also in 2008, Mayer released the live concert film "Where the Light Is".
In 2009, Mayer collaborated with Guy Sebastian on his album "Like It Like That". Mayer would also play on Crosby Loggin's debut album "Time to Move". Also in 2009, Mayer released the album "Battle Studies". It debuted at number 1 on the US chart.
In 2010, Mayer withdrew from public life and stopped giving interviews.
In 2011, Mayer announced his next album would be delayed due to the treatment he was receiving for granuloma on his vocal cords.
In 2012, Mayer released the album "Born and Raised". It entered the US chart at number 1. He was due to perform at South by Southwest festival but had to pull out when his granuloma returned. He would perform guitar on the TV show "Saturday Night Live" and played with the Rolling Stones in New Jersey but had to rest his vocal cords.
In 2013, Mayer performed at a benefit concert in Bozeman after two years not being able to sing publicly. He also appeared at the Crossroads Guitar Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Rock and Roll Induction Ceremony. Also in 2013, Mayer released the album "Paradise Valley". It debuted at number 2 on the US chart.
In 2014, Mayer dueted with Barbra Streisand on a song for her album "Partners".
In 2015, Mayer performed with Ed Sheeran at the Grammy Awards. Her performed alongside Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir on the TV show "The Late Late Show". Mayer joined the Grateful Dead on their "Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead" tour performing as Dead & Company along with Jeff Chimenti and Oteil Burbridge.
In 2017, Mayer released the EPs "The Search for Everything: Wave One" and " The Search for Everything: Wave Two".