Artists Facts
Active: 1998-present
Name: John Clayton Mayer
Genre: Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Soul
Birth Date: October 16, 1977
Place of Birth: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Artist Background
Mayer hails from Connecticut and was drawn to music after inspiration struck from the silver screen. With a rented guitar, he developed his skill that evolved to a rock, bluesy sound. After humble beginnings, Mayer has enjoyed a career spanning well beyond 15 years. With more than seven studio albums under his belt, Mayer has racked up multiple Grammy awards and earned numerous additional honors while enjoying both commercial success and critical acclaim. At 40 years old, he has no plans to stop after hinting that more music was in the works for 2018 and beyond.
John Mayer is the middle child of two brothers, the Connecticut native is the son of educators and has a Jewish background. Inspired by Michael J. Fox’s rendition of “Johnny B. Good” performed by Michael J. Fox in “Back to the Future,” Mayer turned to the guitar, honing his skills with a rented instrument. That interest deepened and led him to study blues guitarists.
Artist Music Career
Two years of practice led up to the small stage at bars, both solo and with Villanova Junction. His songwriting was born at the age of 17 with a heart ailment and panic attacks that led to medical attention. Two years later, he spent two years at Berklee College of Music per his parents wishes before heading to the Atlanta music scene. As half of LoFi Masters, he performed in coffee houses and such club venues as Eddie’s Attic. His solo career took shape when Mayer turned to pop music.
Assisted by producer and engineer Glenn Matullo, Mayer recorded “Inside Wants Out,” an independent EP, an eight-song project showcasing Mayer’s lead vocals and guitar skills. It spawned the singles “Back To You,” “No Such Thing” and “Comfortable.”
After a three-year hiatus, Mayer released his sixth studio album, “Paradise Valley” in 2013, which he deemed low-key folksy rock. It generated singles “Wildfire Pt. 2,” “Who You Love” with Katy Perry and “Paper Doll.” It was met with critical acclaim and debuted at number two on the Billboard Top 200 chart. It also sent Mayer on a tour across the U.S. in the second half of 2013 and in Australia in 2014.
In 2017, Mayer released “The Search for Everything,” his seventh studio album in two waves early in the year. It generated the singles “Love on the Weekend,” “Still Feel Like Your Man” and “In the Blood” and “New Light.” In an interview, he teased that more music was planned for 2018.
Artist Major Works & Achievements
2002
Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards winner for Most Promising and Up and Coming Guitarist
2003
Grammy winner for Best Male Pop Vocalist with “Your Body is a Wonderland”
2005
Grammy winner for Song of the Year with “Daughters”
2007
“Continuum” wins Grammy awards for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album
“Try” wins Grammy for Best Rock Album
“Waiting on the World to Change” wins Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
“Route 66” wins Grammy for Best Solo Vocal Rock Performance
2009
“Say” wins Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media
“Lesson Learned” wins Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
“Where the Light is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles wins Grammy for Best Long Form Music Video
