Having served as a volunteer for Musicians On Call as a hospital chaplain, Sotheby's benefit hostess and hospital tour guide, as well as for years preceding that as a minister and spiritual director very much aware of the uplifting and therapeutic aspects of music,I am pleased to share this take on John's music with you.Virginia Tech is in for a big treat.
That John Mayer has a rare talent as a musician,no one can deny.The five time Grammy Award winner is tremendously gifted guitar player,recently selected for a Rolling Stone magazine cover as one of three modern day "guitar gods".Mayer was dubbed,Slow-Hand Jr.,in deference to one of his guitar idols and mentors,Eric Clapton,as well as his collaborations with blues greats B.B. King, Buddy Guy,also idols and for his skilled Jomi Hendrix covers, Rolling Stone's selection for the greatest guitar player of all times. He has in addition to working with Blues greats collaborated with r&b,hip-hop,rock,country and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock, John Scofield,Alicia Keys,Kanye West,Common,Just Blaze,etc.
There is another aspect of John's musical appeal that has gone unexpressed and unheralded. Maybe that fact is just as well.However,I'd like to shed a little light on it from the standpoint of a fan who has benefited and derived a lot of pleasure from his music for number of years.And,in light of the upcoming concert September 6,2007 at Virginia Tech to celebrate life,the resiliency of a community and "lift the spirits" of the university's students,staff and faculty so they can get the 2007-2008 school year off to a good start,there couldn't be a more appropriate time.
There is something uplifting and enormously inspiring about many of John's songs and his music in general. I and other fans have throughout the years communicated this by providing feedback to him at concerts,as well as on some of his message boards around the internet and on several other blogs.
John Mayer has had a connection with the healing aspects of music in his early days starting out as a volunteer musician for the non-profit organization,Musician's On Call,as well as the manner in which he has touched and cultivated the love and hearts of fans since the late 90's.
The following are some past internet postings which shed light on this aspect of his music,including an excerpt of a post I wrote on the MSM message board over three years ago in response to a mini concert/visit he paid some children at a hospital in St. Louis when he played there on his "Heavier Things" concert tour that year. In addition, I also include below an excerpt from a recent posting on my Creativessel Inspirations blog followed by a play list of hand picked songs that make up a soothing "Dose of John Mayer."
There is definitely healing in the music. When you have such an awesome gift like John to touch others hearts and souls with love through the medium of music, its a powerful thing. Many of the children's lives will never be the same, as a result. I venture to say that many of our lives are forever altered by music and other intangibles on a daily basis. I am happy to see an artist with John's tremendous range of talent spend time- quality time- spreading his compassion and genuine concern for others in such a way. Simply put, it is just beautiful.
But this quality about John has always been evident. If you really listen intently to his music, and notice the concern he, on general principle(we call that "on GP"), demonstrates for others, the John that showed up at the hospital today always comes through loud and clear. He just exudes that certain quality.
I was previously aware of John's participation in Musician's on Call, which I think is an invaluable health outreach program, and I communicated that to the organization's founder a while ago.
Thanks for the link and mention though. It was helpful. As one who strongly believes in the healing power of music and the value of giving back to the community...you have the goods John and you deliver. It was even more endearing that you went over without a lot of fanfare, just as regular people...".
Here is an excerpt from a blog written on my Creativessel blog a few months back,entitled "Painting the John Mayer Canvas..." ,which provides a little insight into how his music has impacted me:
"When I first listened to the Room for Squares CD at Borders,I stood there for a while with "Why Georgia" on repeat, frozen in a space and time with which I was very familiar,but one that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I was gradually coming to grips in stages with why tears of joy filled my eyes and rolled slowly and effortlessly down my cheeks. I had experienced the healing and clearing properties of music before in the church as someone sang a gospel hymn or got happy singing a solo in the choir. Often that person was me.
I've also been touched so deeply by a song that every emotion that I may have repressed in the past has been given vent by the sound of a flute,a guitar chord, a voice's vibratto or tone,etc. As I listened to him singing the refrain "I wonder sometimes about the outcome of a still verdictless life. Am I livin' it right? Am I livin' it right? Am I livin it right? Why? Why? Georgia Why? In my case Georgia happened to be Detroit. I asked myself, Why? Why? Detroit Why?
Listening to him singing that song, a certainty came over me and I knew in my heart without a doubt that I had to shift my creative focus. I needed to get back on track artistically. I also knew with certainty that I would someday meet the "voice" that was resonating so with my spirit and the artist with the "fire in his eyes". When? I was not sure. But, I felt for whatever reason, it might be sooner than I expected. Two things for sure,I would be making a bee line for information on the internet about upcoming concerts he would be performing in the area and I would continue to ask myself if I needed to change the direction my life was headed,make a bold move,follow my heart and "leave the sh_t behind."
