View source for John Mayer

{{Short description|American musician (born 1977)}}
{{About|the American singer|other people named John Mayer|John Mayer (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|John Mayall|John Moyer}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = John Mayer
| image             = JohnMayerin2019.jpg
| alt               = 
| caption           = Mayer performing in 2019
| birth_name        = John Clayton Mayer
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1977|10|16}}
| birth_place       = [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]], U.S.
| education = [[Fairfield Warde High School]]
| occupation        = {{Flatlist|
* Singer
* songwriter
* guitarist
* record producer
}}
| years_active      = 1998–present
| instrument        = {{Flatlist|
* Vocals
* guitar
*harmonica
*keyboards
 }}
{{Infobox person 
| child = yes
| works = {{Hlist|[[John Mayer discography|Discography]]|[[John Mayer discography#Other appearances|production]]}}}}
| genre             = {{Flatlist|
* [[Rock music|Rock]]
* [[Pop music|pop]]
* [[blues]]
}}
| label             = {{Flatlist|
* [[Aware Records|Aware]]
* [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
* [[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]]
}}
| current_member_of = {{Flatlist|
* [[John Mayer Trio]]
* [[Dead & Company]]
}}
| past_member_of    = {{Flatlist|
* Villanova Junction
* Lo-Fi Masters
}}
| website           = {{URL|johnmayer.com}}
}}

'''John Clayton Mayer'''<ref name=allmusicbio>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-mayer-mn0000239827/biography|title=John Mayer Biography|first=Andrew|last=Leahey|work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=October 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026001533/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-mayer-mn0000239827/biography|archive-date=October 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|eɪ|.|ɚ}} {{Respell|MAY|ər}}; born October 16, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hoard |first1=Joel |title=John Mayer: Biography |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/john-mayer/biography |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=March 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826142006/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/john-mayer/biography |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |year=2001}}</ref> He attended [[Berklee College of Music]] in [[Boston]], but he left for [[Atlanta]] in 1997 with fellow guitarist [[Clay Cook]], with whom he formed the short-lived rock duo Lo-Fi Masters. After their split, Mayer continued to play at local clubs, refining his skills and gaining a minor following. He performed at the 2000 [[South by Southwest]] festival, and was subsequently signed by [[Aware Records]], an imprint of [[Columbia Records]] through which he released his debut [[extended play]] (EP), ''[[Inside Wants Out]]'' (1999). His first two studio albums—''[[Room for Squares]]'' (2001) and ''[[Heavier Things]]'' (2003)—were both met with critical and commercial success; the former spawned the single "[[Your Body Is a Wonderland]]", which won [[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance|Best Male Pop Vocal Performance]] at the [[45th Annual Grammy Awards]], while the latter peaked atop the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].

By 2005, Mayer had moved away from the acoustic music that characterized his early records, and further delved into the [[blues]] and rock music that had originally influenced him. Forming the [[John Mayer Trio]], he released the live album ''[[Try!]]'' (2005) and his third studio album, ''[[Continuum (John Mayer album)|Continuum]]'' (2006). The latter was met with positive critical reception and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], and won both [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance|Best Male Pop Vocal Performance]] for its single "[[Waiting on the World to Change]]" at the [[49th Annual Grammy Awards]]. It was followed by ''[[Battle Studies (album)|Battle Studies]]'' (2009), which marked his return to [[pop music|pop]].

After having several controversial incidents with the media, Mayer withdrew from public life in 2010 and drew inspiration from the 1970s pop music of [[Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles#History|Laurel Canyon]] for the sound of his fifth studio album, ''[[Born and Raised (John Mayer album)|Born and Raised]]'' (2012). Discovery of a [[granuloma]] on his vocal cords delayed the release of the album until May 2012, and forced him to cancel its accompanying tour. Despite favorable reception and becoming his second release to peak atop the ''Billboard'' 200, the album was less commercially successful than his previous work. Mayer recovered in January 2013 and released his sixth studio album, ''[[Paradise Valley (album)|Paradise Valley]]'' in August of that year, which peaked at number two on the chart and incorporated [[country music|country]], [[folk music|folk]], and [[Americana (music)|Americana]] influences. His seventh album, ''[[The Search for Everything]]'' (2017) was a loose [[concept album]] based around themes of a romantic break-up. His eighth, ''[[Sob Rock]]'' (2021), was inspired by 1980s [[soft rock]] music.

Outside of his solo career, Mayer has produced and provided music for various artists spanning multiple genres, such as [[Frank Ocean]], [[Kanye West]], [[Travis Scott]], [[Alicia Keys]], [[Jack Harlow]], [[Ed Sheeran]], [[Shawn Mendes]], [[Harry Styles]], [[Daniel Caesar]], [[Khalid (American singer)|Khalid]], [[Jhené Aiko]], and [[Barbra Streisand]], among others. In 2015, three former members of the [[Grateful Dead]] joined with Mayer and two other musicians to form the band [[Dead & Company]].<ref name=deadtour/> It was the latest of several [[Reunions of the Grateful Dead|reunions]] of the band's surviving members since [[Jerry Garcia]]'s death in 1995.<ref name= NYT-Launch16>{{Cite press release |date=February 8, 2016 |title=Dead & Company To Launch 2016 Tour |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/news/press_release.asp?docTag=201602080700PR_NEWS_USPRX____LA17152&feedID=600&press_symbol=3744685 |access-date=April 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420134946/http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/news/press_release.asp?docTag=201602080700PR_NEWS_USPRX____LA17152&feedID=600&press_symbol=3744685 |archive-date=April 20, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name= Nev11.27.A>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=John |date=December 1, 2015 |title=Review + photos: Dead & Company a tale of two shows in one night at MGM Grand |website=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |url=http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/dec/01/review-photos-dead-company-a-tale-of-two-shows-one/ |access-date=April 8, 2016 |quote=With superb guitar skills and strong vocals on several titles ('West L.A. Fadeaway' and 'Deal,' among them), Mayer continued to win over the army of itinerant Deadheads in the audience Saturday night. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406132255/http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/dec/01/review-photos-dead-company-a-tale-of-two-shows-one/ |archive-date= April 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Mayer's secondary career pursuits extend to television hosting, comedy, and writing; he has authored columns for magazines such as ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]''. He supports various causes and has performed at charity benefits. He is a watch aficionado (with a collection he values in the "tens of millions" of dollars), contributing to the watch site [[Hodinkee]], has been on the jury at the ''[[:fr:Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève|Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève]]'', and was appointed as the Creative Conduit of [[Audemars Piguet]] in 2024.<ref name=wrist>{{cite news| last= Williams| first= Alex |date= April 30, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/01/fashion/mens-style/john-mayer-watches.html |title= John Mayer's Wrist Is a Wonderland | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323214242/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/01/fashion/mens-style/john-mayer-watches.html |archive-date= March 23, 2017 |work= The New York Times| access-date= May 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> By 2014, he had sold a total of over 20 million albums worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/photos/top-new-acts-since-2000-1403561474-slideshow/| title=USA: Top 20 New Acts Since 2000| publisher=Yahoo! Music| date= July 8, 2014| last=Grein| first=Paul| access-date=July 10, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153307/https://music.yahoo.com/photos/top-new-acts-since-2000-1403561474-slideshow/| archive-date=July 14, 2014| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kolgraf |first=Jackie |date=November 27, 2023 |title=John Mayer Curates an Ever-Evolving World of Music on His Exclusive Channel |url=https://www.siriusxm.com/blog/life-with-john-mayer-channel |access-date=May 15, 2024 |publisher=SiriusXM }}</ref>

==Early life==
Mayer was born on October 16, 1977, in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]].<ref name=allmusicbio /> His father, Richard Mayer (b. 1927), was principal at [[Central High School (Connecticut)|Central High School]] in Bridgeport, and his mother, Margaret (''née'' Hoffman; b. 1947), was a middle-school English teacher.<ref name="eliscu">{{cite magazine |last1=Eliscu |first1=Jenny |title=Songs in the Key of Mayer |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/songs-in-the-key-of-mayer-234694/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 15, 2020 |date=November 27, 2003}}</ref><ref name= hip>{{cite journal |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20138163,00.html |title= It's Hip to Be Square| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924150948/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20138163,00.html |archive-date= September 24, 2015| date= October 7, 2002| journal= [[People (magazine)|People]] | volume= 58| number= 15| page= 107}}</ref> He grew up in nearby [[Fairfield, Connecticut|Fairfield]], the middle child between older half-sister Rachel,<ref>{{cite AV media | people =Carl Mayer (@carlwmayer) | date =July 10, 2022 | title =$15 Game Show —John Mayers family instagram updates | medium =webshow | time =2m40s | location =White Plains, NY | publisher =Instagram }}</ref> older brother Carl, and younger brother Ben.<ref name=Brothers>{{cite web | last= Spillane |first= Sean |date= March 18, 2015|title=Central High School - John Mayer|url=http://bridgeport.ct.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=31898|website=School Web Pages |publisher=CT Post |access-date=February 13, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321050346/http://bridgeport.ct.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=31898|archive-date=March 21, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=John Mayer|journal=[[TV Guide]] |url=https://tvguide.com/celebrities/john-mayer/bio/196620|access-date=August 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115832/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/john-mayer/bio/196620|archive-date=August 26, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> His father is [[Jewish]], and Mayer has said that he "relates" to [[Judaism]].<ref name="Playboy">{{cite web |date=February 10, 2010 |title=Playboy Interview: John Mayer |url=http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboy-interview-john-mayer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831080718/http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboy-interview-john-mayer |archive-date=August 31, 2014 |access-date=February 10, 2010 |work=Playboy}}</ref> As an elementary school student, Mayer became close friends with future tennis star [[James Blake (tennis)|James Blake]], and they played Nintendo together weekday afternoons after school for three years.<ref>{{cite journal| last= Tapper| first= Christina |date= August 23, 2008|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20220809,00.html | title= James Blake on John Mayer: No High School Lothario| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018184225/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20220809,00.html |archive-date= October 18, 2014 |journal= People| access-date= March 23, 2015}}</ref> He attended the [[Center for Global Studies at Brien McMahon High School]] in [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]] for his junior year (then known as the Center for Japanese Studies Abroad, a [[magnet school|magnet program]] for learning Japanese).<ref name= "eliscu" />

After watching [[Michael J. Fox]]'s guitar performance as [[Marty McFly]] in ''[[Back to the Future]]'', Mayer became fascinated with the instrument.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Duricka|first=Tamara|last8=!|date=July 3, 2015|title='Back to the Future' turns 30: Time sure does McFly|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-ca-hc-back-to-the-future-anniversary-20150708-story.html|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> When he turned 13 years old, his father rented one for him.<ref>{{cite web| year= 2005|url=https://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/jmayer/bio.htm | work= Soundstage| title= John Mayer with special guest Buddy Guy| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512163150/http://www.pbs.org/wttw/soundstage/jmayer/bio.htm |archive-date= May 12, 2015 | via= [[PBS]].org| access-date= May 31, 2007}}</ref><ref name=AskMen>{{cite web| year= 2005|url=http://www.askmen.com/men/entertainment_100/140c_john_mayer.html | title= Men Of The Week: Entertainment—John Mayer| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118221108/http://www.askmen.com/men/entertainment_100/140c_john_mayer.html |archive-date= January 18, 2008 | website= AskMen.com| access-date= April 12, 2006}}</ref> A neighbor gave Mayer a [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]] cassette, which cultivated Mayer's love of blues music.<ref name=CU>{{cite news| date= November 6, 2006|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/mon-nov-6-telecom-spam-attack-john-mayer-881586 | title= Mon Nov 6: Telecom; Spam Attack; John Mayer| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105044240/http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/mon-nov-6-telecom-spam-attack-john-mayer-881586 |archive-date= January 5, 2016 | publisher= [[TVNZ]] | access-date= December 6, 2006}}</ref>{{cref|a}} According to Mayer, his fascination with Vaughan started a "genealogical hunt" that led him to other blues guitarists, including [[Buddy Guy]], [[B.B. King]], [[Freddie King]], [[Albert King]], [[Otis Rush]], and [[Lightnin' Hopkins]].<ref name=RSGG>{{cite magazine| author-link= David Fricke| first= David |last= Fricke|date= February 22, 2007|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-new-guitar-gods-20070222 |title= The New Guitar Gods| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018054537/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-new-guitar-gods-20070222 |archive-date= October 18, 2016 | magazine= Rolling Stone| number= 1020| pages= 39–47}}</ref> Mayer started taking lessons from a local guitar shop owner, Al Ferrante, and soon became consumed.<ref name=Hedegaard>{{cite magazine| last= Hedegaard| first= Erik |date= February 4, 2010| title= The Dirty Mind and Lonely Heart of John Mayer| magazine= Rolling Stone| number= 1097| pages= 36–45, 68}}</ref><ref name=Mather>{{cite web| last= Hedegaard| first= Erik |date= March 2008|url=http://www.menshealth.com/celebrity-fitness/article-print.php?102 | title= The Wonder of John Mayer Land| website= menshealth.com| publisher= Rodale| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100704/http://www.menshealth.com/celebrity-fitness/article-print.php?102 | archive-date= April 2, 2015}}</ref> His singular focus concerned his parents, and they twice took him to see a psychiatrist, who determined him to be healthy.<ref name=Hedegaard/><ref name=Mather/> Mayer says that his parents' contentious marriage led him to "disappear and create my own world I could believe in".<ref name=Hedegaard/> After two years of practice, he started playing at bars and other venues, while still in high school.<ref name=AskMen /> In addition to performing solo, he was a member of a band called Villanova Junction (named for a [[Jimi Hendrix]] song) with Tim Procaccini, Joe Beleznay, and Rich Wolf.<ref name=Hedegaard/><ref name=TW>{{cite web| last= Wallace| first= William |date= January 1, 2005|url=http://www.tweedmag.com/News/Joe_Beleznay_wants_to_be_the_ball.html | title= Joe Beleznay wants to be the ball| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019032247/http://www.tweedmag.com/News/Joe_Beleznay_wants_to_be_the_ball.html |archive-date=October 19, 2006 |work= Tweed Magazine| access-date= October 30, 2006}}</ref>

When Mayer was 17, he was stricken with [[cardiac dysrhythmia]] and was hospitalized for a weekend. Reflecting on the incident, Mayer said, "That was the moment the songwriter in me was born", and he penned his first lyrics the night he left the hospital.<ref name=RS06>Hiatt, Brian (September 21, 2006), "My Big Mouth Strikes Again". ''Rolling Stone'' (1009): pp. 66–70.</ref> Shortly thereafter, he began suffering from [[panic attacks]], and says he feared having to enter a [[mental institution]].<ref name=Hedegaard/> He continues to manage such episodes with [[anti-anxiety drug|anti-anxiety medication]].<ref name=RS06/><ref name=MandS>{{cite web|url=http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/RICHMOND-VA/WRVQ-FM/johnmayer2.mp3 |title= John Mayer| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127141057/http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/RICHMOND-VA/WRVQ-FM/johnmayer2.mp3 | archive-date= January 27, 2012 | format= MP3 podcast |work= Melissa and Sid| date= March 31, 2008| publisher= [[WRVQ-FM]]}}</ref>

==Career==

===Early career (1996–1999)===
{{See also|Inside Wants Out}}
Mayer considered skipping college to pursue music, but his parents dissuaded him.<ref name=Hedegaard/> He enrolled at the [[Berklee College of Music]] in 1997 at age 19.<ref name=ELLE>Ruth Shaut (2006), "Blues Brother". ''Elle''. (250-251):104.</ref> At the urging of his college friend [[Clay Cook]], they left Berklee after two semesters and moved to Atlanta; there, they formed a two-man band called LoFi Masters, and began performing in local coffee houses and club venues such as [[Eddie's Attic]].<ref name=Berklee>{{cite web| last= Small| first= Mark |year=2005|url=http://www.berklee.edu/bt/172/coverstory.html |title= John Mayer '98: Running with the Big Dogs| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410200154/http://www.berklee.edu/bt/172/coverstory.html |archive-date= April 10, 2007 |work= Berklee Today| via= Berklee.edu| publisher= Berklee College of Music| access-date= April 23, 2007}}</ref><ref name=AskMen/> According to Cook, they experienced musical differences due to Mayer's desire to move more towards pop music.<ref name=MOA>{{cite news| last= Guthrie| first= Blake |date= November 20, 2003|url=https://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/content-184733-Cover-Story--Mayer-of-Atlanta |title= Mayer of Atlanta: John Mayer plays Philips Arena, and all I got was this lousy cover story| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110213456/http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A14103 |archive-date= January 10, 2008 | work= [[Creative Loafing]]| access-date= February 17, 2007}}</ref> The two parted ways and Mayer embarked on a solo career.<ref name=Berklee/>

With the help of local producer and engineer Glenn Matullo, Mayer recorded the independent [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Inside Wants Out]]''. The EP includes eight songs with Mayer on lead vocals and guitars. For the opening track, "Back To You", a full band was enlisted, including the EP's co-producer [[David LaBruyere|David "DeLa" LaBruyere]] on bass guitars.<ref name=MO>{{cite web| last= Alter| first= Gaby |date= April 1, 2007|url=http://mixonline.com/live/tourprofiles/audio_john_mayer_2/ |title= Tour Profile: John Mayer| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904114813/http://mixonline.com/live/tourprofiles/audio_john_mayer_2/ |archive-date=September 4, 2014 | work= Mix| access-date= April 23, 2007}}</ref> Cook had co-written many of the album's songs, including its first commercial single release, "[[No Such Thing (John Mayer song)|No Such Thing]]"; however, his only performance contribution was backing vocals on the song "Comfortable".<ref name=MOA/>

===Major label and commercial success (2000–2004)===
{{See also|Room for Squares|Heavier Things}}

Mayer and LaBruyere performed throughout Georgia and nearby states.<ref name="Graham">{{cite web |last1=Graham |first1=George |title=George Graham Reviews John Mayer's 'Room for Squares' |url=http://georgegraham.com/reviews/jmayer.html |website=georgegraham.com |access-date=July 21, 2019 |date=April 10, 2002}}</ref> Also, as his career coincided with the then-nascent internet music market, Mayer benefited from an online following.<ref name=hay>Hay, Carla (April 6, 2002), "Aware/Columbia's John Mayer Makes 'Room For Squares' A Hit". ''Billboard''. '''114''' (14):22.</ref> Mayer came to the attention of [[Gregg Latterman]] at Aware Records through an acquaintance of Mayer's, a lawyer, who sent Aware his EP.<ref>{{cite news| last1= Wood| first1=Mikael|title=Room at the Top|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/room-at-the-top-6390314|access-date=December 22, 2017 |work= [[The Dallas Observer]] |date= March 28, 2002|quote=I met a great lawyer who was willing to promote me. He sent out my records to labels, and Aware was one of his first ideas. He knew my music well enough to know it was gonna take a smaller label to do it, and he was right. Aware was the label. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222162540/http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/room-at-the-top-6390314|archive-date=December 22, 2017| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=Mather/><ref>{{cite web| last= Proefrock| first= Stacia |year= 2005 |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p405816|pure_url=yes}} |title= Biography| work= All Music Guide| access-date= April 23, 2007}}</ref> In early 2001, after including him in Aware Festival concerts and his songs on Aware compilations, Aware released Mayer's internet-only album, ''[[Room for Squares]]''. During this time, Aware concluded a deal with [[Columbia Records]] that gave Columbia first pick in signing Aware artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awarerecords.com/company.php |title= A Brief History| publisher= Aware Records| access-date= June 12, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207084321/http://www.awarerecords.com/company.php |archive-date= February 7, 2007 }}</ref> In September, Columbia remixed and re-released ''Room for Squares''.<ref name=malindanewman>{{cite magazine| last= Newman| first= Melinda |date= September 8, 2001| title= The Beat| magazine= Billboard| volume= 113| number= 36| page= 14}}</ref> As part of the major label "debut", the album's artwork was updated, and the track "3x5" was added. The re-release included reworked studio versions of the first four songs from ''Inside Wants Out''.<ref>{{cite web| last= Back| first= Alan | date= June 15, 2001|url=http://www.nique.net/issues/2001-06-15/entertainment/2 |title= John Mayer carves out his own niche with national debut album| website= Nique.net | access-date= June 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929132049/http://www.nique.net/issues/2001-06-15/entertainment/2 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref>

By the end of 2002, ''Room for Squares'' had spawned several radio hits, including "[[No Such Thing (John Mayer song)|No Such Thing]]", "[[Your Body Is a Wonderland]]", and "[[Why Georgia]]". It also received general praise critically, and Mayer drew comparisons to [[Dave Matthews]].<ref name= Berklee/><ref name=malindanewman/> In 2003, Mayer won a Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance|Best Male Pop Vocal Performance]] for "Your Body Is a Wonderland".<ref name=Grammyverification>{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=%22john+mayer%22&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=All |title= Past Winners Search| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133827/http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=%22john+mayer%22&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=All |archive-date= April 2, 2015 |publisher= National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences| access-date= March 18, 2015}}</ref> In his acceptance speech he remarked, "This is very, very fast, and I promise to catch up."<ref name=Mather/> He also figuratively referred to himself as being 16, a remark that many mistook to mean that he was 16 years old at the time.<ref name=RSG07>Serpick, Evan (February 2007), "Grammy Preview: John Mayer", ''Rolling Stone'', Volume unknown: p. 32.</ref>

In February 2003, Mayer released a live CD and DVD of a concert in [[Birmingham, Alabama]] titled ''[[Any Given Thursday]]'', which included songs previously not recorded, such as "Man on the Side", "[[Something's Missing (John Mayer song)|Something's Missing]]", and "Covered in Rain". Commercially, the album peaked at number 17 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref name="Amazon - Any Given Thursday">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Any-Given-Thursday-John-Mayer/dp/B000083GLC |title=John Mayer - Any Given Thursday - Amazon.com Music |website=Amazon |access-date=July 28, 2019 }}</ref> Its accompanying DVD release received conservative—although consistent—praise, with critics torn between his pop-idol image, and (at the time) emerging guitar prowess.<ref name=EW>Browne, David (March 14, 2003), [https://ew.com/article/2003/03/14/any-given-thursday/ "Strummer Time"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509233100/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,430023,00.html |date=May 9, 2012 }}. ''Entertainment Weekly''. (700):62.</ref> Erik Crawford of [[AllMusic]] asked, "Is [Mayer] the consummate guitar hero exemplified when he plays a cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan's '[[Lenny (instrumental)|Lenny]]', or is he the teen idol that the pubescent girls shriek for after he plays 'Your Body Is a Wonderland'?"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crawford |first1=Erik |title=Review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r626637|pure_url=yes}} |date=June 8, 2007}}</ref><ref>Medsker, David (2003). [https://popmatters.com/music/reviews/m/mayerjohn-any.shtml "Love me, love me, say that you love me..."] Pop Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061112212945/http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/m/mayerjohn-any.shtml |date=November 12, 2006 }}</ref> That summer, Mayer went on the road with [[Counting Crows]] in a tour that spanned 42 dates between July 7 and September 2.<ref>Ault, Susanne (July 12, 2003), [https://books.google.com/books?id=5Q0EAAAAMBAJ&dq=Mayer%2C+Crows+Take+Their+Guitars+On+The+Road&pg=PA15 "Mayer, Crows Take Their Guitars On The Road"]. ''Billboard''. '''115''' (28):15.</ref>

''[[Heavier Things]]'', Mayer's second album, was released in 2003 to generally favorable reviews. ''Rolling Stone, Allmusic,'' and ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' all gave positive, although reserved, feedback.<ref>
MacNeil, Jason (2003).
[https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/mayerjohn/heavierthings "Heavier Things"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514200644/http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/mayerjohn/heavierthings |date=May 14, 2007 }} Metacritic. Retrieved June 4, 2007.
</ref> The album was commercially successful, and while it did not sell as well as ''Room for Squares'', it peaked at number one on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart. The song "[[Daughters (John Mayer song)|Daughters]]" won the 2005 Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]],<ref name=Grammyverification/> and reached No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Adult Pop Songs chart<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/artist/304974/john-mayer/chart?page=1&f=343 "John Mayer Chart History – Adult Pop Songs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612232828/http://www.billboard.com/artist/304974/john-mayer/chart?page=1&f=343 |date=June 12, 2016 }}. Retrieved February 28, 2016.</ref> and No. 19 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/artist/304974/john-mayer/chart?page=1&f=379 "John Mayer Chart History – Hot 100] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613054001/http://www.billboard.com/artist/304974/john-mayer/chart?page=1&f=379 |date=June 13, 2016 }}. Retrieved February 28, 2016.</ref> He dedicated the award to his grandmother, Annie Hoffman, who had died in May 2004.<ref>(May 21–22, 2004), [http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ctpost/obituary.aspx?n=annie-j-hoffman&pid=2250825 "Annie J. Hoffman-Obituary"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017085446/http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ctpost/obituary.aspx?n=annie-j-hoffman&pid=2250825 |date=October 17, 2015 }}. Legacy.com. Retrieved August 2, 2015.</ref> He also won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. On February 9, 2009, Mayer told [[Ellen DeGeneres]] that he thought he should not have won the Grammy for Song of the year because he thought that Alicia Keys' "[[If I Ain't Got You]]" was the better song. Because of this, he removed the top half of the Grammy and gave it to Keys, and kept the bottom part for himself. At the 37th Annual [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]] Induction Ceremony in 2006, Mayer received the [[Hal David Starlight Award]].<ref>(2006) [http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/award_recipient_detail.asp?ceremonyId=27&awardRecipientId=150 John Mayer]. Song Writers Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 29, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061001163422/http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/award_recipient_detail.asp?ceremonyId=27&awardRecipientId=150 |date=October 1, 2006 }}</ref>

Mayer again recorded live concerts across seven nights of his U.S. tour in 2004. These recordings were released to the [[iTunes Store]] under the title ''[[As/Is]]'', indicating that the errors were included along with the good moments. A few months later, a "best of" CD was compiled from the ''As/Is'' nights. The album included a previously unreleased cover of [[Marvin Gaye]]'s song "[[Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)]]", featuring a solo from Mayer's supporting act—jazz and blues turntablist [[DJ Logic]]. The album covers of the ''As/Is'' releases feature drawings of [[anthropomorphic]] bunnies.<ref>[http://www.johnmayer.com/bio Bio] JohnMayer.com. Retrieved June 25, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720121613/http://www.johnmayer.com/bio |date=July 20, 2007 }}</ref>

===Change in musical direction (2005–2008)===
{{See also|John Mayer Trio|Continuum (John Mayer album)}}
As early as 2002, Chris Willman with ''Entertainment Weekly'' said that Mayer was "more historically savvy, and more ambitious than you'd guess from the unforced earnestness of ''[Room for] Squares''{{-"}}.<ref name=willman>Willman, Chris (August 9, 2002), "Meet John Dough". ''Entertainment Weekly''. (666):36.</ref> However, Mayer was largely associated with the Adult Contemporary and singer-songwriter genres.<ref name=willman/> Fame allowed him access to his early influences, and he began collaborating with blues and jazz artists. He accompanied Buddy Guy in a concert at the Irving Plaza in December 2003.<ref>Fricke, David (February 5, 2004), "Buddy Guy/John Mayer". ''Rolling Stone''. (941):68.</ref> He toured with jazz pianist [[Herbie Hancock]], including a show at the [[Bonnaroo Music Festival]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61680/herbie-hancock-goes-beyond-jazz|title=Herbie Hancock Goes Beyond Jazz|date=August 24, 2005|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217105657/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61680/herbie-hancock-goes-beyond-jazz|archive-date=December 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He also performed on commercial releases, namely, with [[Eric Clapton]] (''[[Back Home (Eric Clapton album)|Back Home]]'', [[Crossroads Guitar Festival]]), [[Buddy Guy]] (''[[Bring 'Em In (Buddy Guy album)|Bring 'Em In]])'', [[John Scofield]] (''[[That's What I Say (John Scofield album)|That's What I Say]]''), and [[B.B. King]] (''[[B. B. King & Friends: 80|80]]''). Although Mayer maintained his reputation as a singer-songwriter, he gained distinction as a guitarist.

Following the conclusion of his ''Heavier Things'' tour, Mayer began working with artists, including those from other genres of music. His voice was sampled on the song "[[Be (Common album)#"Go!"|Go]]" by rapper [[Common (rapper)|Common]], and he appeared on a hidden track called "Bittersweet Poetry" from the [[Kanye West]] album ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]''.{{cref|b}} The collaborations drew praise from rap heavyweights [[Jay-Z]] and [[Nelly]].<ref>Rodriguez, Jason (April 13, 2007). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1557129/20070413/id_0.jhtml "Shawty's Story: Lloyd Says He Stole From Usher, Loves John Mayer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429045605/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1557129/20070413/id_0.jhtml |date=April 29, 2007 }} MTV. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref> When asked about his presence in the [[hip hop]] community, Mayer said, "It's not music out there right now. That's why, to me, hip-hop is where rock used to be."<ref name=trio>Moss, Corey (January 5, 2005) [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1495325/01052005/mayer_john.jhtml "John Mayer Plans To 'Close Up Shop On Acoustic Sensitive'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050222090731/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1495325/01052005/mayer_john.jhtml |date=February 22, 2005 }}. MTV. Retrieved April 12, 2006.</ref>

Around this time Mayer announced that he was "closing up shop on acoustic sensitivity".<ref name=trio/> In the spring of 2005, Mayer formed the John Mayer Trio with bassist [[Pino Palladino]] and drummer [[Steve Jordan (drummer)|Steve Jordan]], both of whom he had met through studio sessions. The trio combined blues and rock music. In October 2005, they opened for [[the Rolling Stones]]<ref>Moss Corey (September 16, 2005). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1509723/20050916/mayer_john.jhtml "John Mayer Trio Geek Out With Live Album, Rolling Stones Jokes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001032146/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1509723/20050916/mayer_john.jhtml |date=October 1, 2007 }}. MTV. Retrieved June 8, 2007.</ref> and that November released a live album called ''[[Try!]]'' The band took a break in mid-2006.{{Clear}}

[[File:John Mayer live in 2007 01.png|thumb|left|Mayer performing in San Jose, California, in June 2007]]
Mayer's third studio album, ''[[Continuum (John Mayer album)|Continuum]]'', was released on September 12, 2006, produced by Mayer and [[Steve Jordan (drummer)|Steve Jordan]]. Mayer suggested the album was intended to combine blues and pop. In that vein, two of the tracks from his Trio release ''Try!''—"Vultures" and "Gravity"—were included on ''Continuum''.<ref name=ELLE/> Despite his excitement, in a ''Rolling Stone'' interview, Mayer recalled that after former Columbia Records head [[Don Ienner]] panned ''Continuum'' he briefly considered quitting music and studying design full-time.<ref name=RS06/> Columbia Records believed that there weren't any "hits" on the album<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Mayer says he almost quit music after he was told Continuum had “no hits” |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/john-mayer-quit-music-continuum-no-hits/ |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=Guitar.com {{!}} All Things Guitar |language=en-GB}}</ref> and as a result of that, Columbia got Mayer to make "Waiting on the World to Change". John Mayer admitted on the [[The Bobby Bones Show|Bobby Bones Show]] that it's the song he dislikes performing live the most.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f5Q-_YyQl4 |title=John Mayer Interview on the Bobby Bones Show |date=2017-08-08 |last=Bobby Bones Show |access-date=2025-10-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

In May 2006, Mayer contributed a cover of the song "[[(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66#Other recorded renditions|Route 66]]" for the [[Pixar]] animated film ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'' (2006). Mayer's rendition garnered a 
nomination at the [[49th Grammy Awards]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance|Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance]]. 

The first single from ''Continuum'' was "[[Waiting on the World to Change]]", which debuted on ''[[The Ron and Fez Show]]''. On August 23, 2006, Mayer debuted the entire album on the Los Angeles radio station [[KYSR|Star 98.7]], offering commentary on each track.<ref>Mayer, John (2006). [http://johnmayer.com/blog/john/200608#83 "Continuum First Listen"] JohnMayer.com. Retrieved June 8, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126220122/http://johnmayer.com/blog/john/200608#83 |date=November 26, 2014 }}</ref> A subsequent version was released the next day on the [[Clear Channel Communications|Clear Channel Music]] website as a streaming sneak preview. On September 21, 2006, Mayer appeared on ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' in the episode "Built to Kill, Part 1", playing "Waiting on the World to Change" and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room". The song "Gravity" was featured on the television series ''[[House (TV series)|House]]'', in the episode "Cane & Able" and ''[[Numb3rs]]''. 

On December 7, 2006, Mayer was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 7, 2006|title=Grammy nominations list (part 1)|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/grammy-nominations-list-part-1-1117955271/|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=Variety}}</ref> The Trio received a nomination for ''Try!''. He won two: Best Pop Song with Vocal for "Waiting on the World to Change" and [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Album|Best Pop Album]] for ''Continuum''.<ref name=Grammyverification/> Mayer remixed an acoustic version of his single "Waiting on the World to Change" with vocal additions from fellow musician [[Ben Harper]]. In preparation for ''Continuum'', Mayer had booked the [[Village Recorder]] in Los Angeles to record five acoustic versions of his songs with veteran musician [[Robbie McIntosh]]. These recordings became ''[[The Village Sessions]]'', an EP released on December 12, 2006. As usual, Mayer oversaw the artwork.<ref>[http://www.johnmayer.com/news/archive/200612 "'The Village Sessions' Released Today"]. JohnMayer.com. Retrieved June 8, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110104217/http://www.johnmayer.com/news/archive/200612 |date=November 10, 2014 }}</ref> The initial North American ''Continuum'' tour ended on February 28, 2007, with a show at [[Madison Square Garden]].{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

On November 20, 2007, the re-issue of ''Continuum'' became available online and in stores. The release contained a bonus disc of six live songs from his 2007 tour: five from ''Continuum'' and a cover of the [[Ray Charles]] song "[[I Don't Need No Doctor]]".<ref>JohnMayer.org staff [http://www.johnmayer.com/news/archive/200711#2 "Continuum (special edition) to be released on November 20; includes 6 live tracks and new single, ''Say''"]. Retrieved November 19, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120234840/http://www.johnmayer.com/news/archive/200711#2 |date=January 20, 2015 }}</ref> On December 6, 2007, "Belief" was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal for the [[50th Annual Grammy Awards]]. He accompanied [[Alicia Keys]] on guitar on her song "[[No One (Alicia Keys song)|No One]]" at the ceremony.<ref>[[Josh Tyrangiel|Tyrangiel, Josh]] {{cite journal|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1710840_1710850_1710881,00.html|title=Alicia Keys with John Mayer - The 50th Annual Grammy Awards|date=February 8, 2008|journal=[[Time Magazine|Time]]|access-date=December 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414103058/http://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1710840_1710850_1710881,00.html|archive-date=April 14, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, he was selected by the editors of ''Time'' magazine as one of the [[Time 100|100 Most Influential People of 2007]], listed among artists and entertainers.<ref name=time100>[[Tyrangiel, Josh]] (May 14, 2007) [http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1595332_1616690,00.html "John Mayer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505052717/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1595332_1616690,00.html |date=May 5, 2007 }} ''Time'' '''169''' (20): p. 140.</ref>

In February 2008, Mayer hosted a three-day Caribbean cruise event that included performances with various musicians including [[David Ryan Harris]], [[Brett Dennen]], [[Colbie Caillat]], and [[Dave Barnes]], among others. The event was called "The Mayercraft Carrier" and was held aboard the cruise ship known as the ''[[Carnival Victory]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mayercraftcarrier.com/artists.html|website=MayercraftCarrier.com|access-date=September 26, 2007|title=Mayercraft Carrier Cruise: February 1–4, 2008: A John Mayer/Sixthman Experience|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011001821/http://mayercraftcarrier.com/artists.html|archive-date=October 11, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> A follow-up cruise titled "Mayercraft Carrier 2" sailed from Los Angeles March 27–31, 2009, on the [[Carnival Splendor]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Mayer Talks Oscars, 'Mayercraft Carrier 2' & Britney Spears|url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/local/john_mayer_talks_oscars___mayercraft_carrier_2____britney_spears/1866311/|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=NBC4 Washington|date=February 26, 2009 }}</ref>

On July 1, 2008, Mayer released ''[[Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles|Where the Light Is]]'', a live concert film of Mayer's performance at the Nokia Theatre [[L.A. Live]] on December 8, 2007.<ref name="RS where the light is">{{cite magazine|last=Kemp|first=Mark|title=Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles - Albums Reviews|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/where-the-light-is-john-mayer-live-in-los-angeles-20080701|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=December 23, 2013|date=July 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324035227/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/where-the-light-is-john-mayer-live-in-los-angeles-20080701|archive-date=March 24, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was directed by [[Danny Clinch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmayer.com/blog#1952|title=DVD Shoot|author=Mayer, John |website=JohnMayer.com |date=November 26, 2007 |access-date=December 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229095313/http://www.johnmayer.com/blog#1952|archive-date=December 29, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> It features Mayer opening with an acoustic set, followed by a blues set with the Trio and concluded by a full set with the band from the ''Continuum'' album.<ref name="billboard blackberry">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045927/mayer-aligns-with-blackberry-for-summer-tour|title=Mayer Aligns With Blackberry For Summer Tour|author=Waddell, Ray|magazine=Billboard|date=April 7, 2008|access-date=April 8, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506181919/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045927/mayer-aligns-with-blackberry-for-summer-tour| archive-date= May 6, 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Battle Studies'' (2009)===
{{main|Battle Studies (album)}}
Australian artist [[Guy Sebastian]] invited Mayer to collaborate on three songs from his 2009 album ''[[Like It Like That (album)|Like It Like That]]''.<ref>Cashmere, Paul (August 3, 2009), [http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=8910 "Guy Sebastian Album To Be Released In October"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016133045/http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=8910 |date=October 16, 2009 }}. ''Undercover Music News''. Retrieved August 4, 2009.</ref> Mayer also played guitar on the title track of [[Crosby Loggins]]' debut LP, ''Time to Move''.<ref>Newman-Bremang, Kathleen (May 12, 2009), [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611223/20090512/mraz_jason.jhtml "Crosby Loggins Nabs John Mayer, Kara DioGuardi For Debut Album'Rock the Cradle' winner plans to drop Time to Move in July"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515132254/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611223/20090512/mraz_jason.jhtml |date=May 15, 2009 }}. MTV. Retrieved June 24, 2009.</ref>

On July 7, 2009, Mayer performed an instrumental guitar version of [[Michael Jackson]]'s "[[Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)|Human Nature]]" at Jackson's televised [[Michael Jackson memorial service|memorial service]].<ref>Powers, Ann; Martens, Todd (July 7, 2009), [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/07/michael-jackson-memorial-john-mayer-performs-human-nature.html "Michael Jackson memorial: John Mayer performs 'Human Nature'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204035742/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/07/michael-jackson-memorial-john-mayer-performs-human-nature.html |date=February 4, 2017 }}. ''Los Angeles Times'' blog. Retrieved July 8, 2009.</ref> He co-wrote "World of Chances" with [[Demi Lovato]] for Lovato's second album ''[[Here We Go Again (Demi Lovato album)|Here We Go Again]]'', released later that month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616552/demi-lovato-gets-personal-on-here-we-go-again.jhtml|title=Demi Lovato Gets Personal on Here We Go Again|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=July 21, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=April 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216012158/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616552/demi-lovato-gets-personal-on-here-we-go-again.jhtml|archive-date=February 16, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After the overwhelming success of ''Continuum'', Mayer confessed to be intimidated with beginning on a follow-up. However, he stated, "I think it got a lot easier when I realized that no matter what I do, it's not going to be ''Continuum'', good or bad."<ref name=micktaylor/> On November 17, 2009, Mayer's fourth studio album, ''[[Battle Studies (album)|Battle Studies]]'', debuted at number one on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album chart.<ref>SISARIO, BEN (November 26, 2009), "John Mayer Is No. 1 in Pre-Holiday Week". ''The New York Times''. :2.</ref> The first single, "[[Who Says (John Mayer song)|Who Says]]", was released on September 24, 2009, in advance of the album, followed on October 19 by "[[Heartbreak Warfare]]" and "[[Half of My Heart]]" on June 21, 2010. The accompanying arena tour grossed {{USD}}45 million.<ref name=DIEHL/> Despite the album's commercial success, critics reactions were mixed. Some reviews glowed, calling it his "most adventurous",<ref>Graff, Gary (November 14, 2009), "Battle Studies". ''Billboard''. '''121''' (45):32.</ref><ref>Arnold, Chuck (November 30, 2009), "Battle Studies". ''People''.'''72''' (22): p. 49.</ref> others called the album "safe" and noted that "Mayer the singer-songwriter and Mayer the man about town sometimes seem disconnected, like they don't even belong in the same body".<ref name=Hedegaard/><ref>Jerry Shriver; Elysa Gardner; [[Edna Gundersen]] (November 17, 2009), "Albums". ''USA Today''.</ref><ref>Greenblatt, Leah (November 20, 2009), "Battle Studies".'' Entertainment Weekly''. (1076):84.</ref><ref>Keefe, Jonathan (November 22, 2009), [https://slantmagazine.com/music/review/john-mayer-battle-studies/1918 "John Mayer – Battle Studies"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205082449/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/john-mayer-battle-studies/1918 |date=February 5, 2010 }}. ''Slant''. Retrieved February 8, 2010.</ref> Mayer admitted to ''Rolling Stone'' that he thought ''Battle Studies'' was not his best album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayers-dirty-mind-lonely-heart-new-issue-of-rolling-stone-20100119|title=John Mayer's Dirty Mind Lonely Heart|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 19, 2010|access-date=July 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713014502/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayers-dirty-mind-lonely-heart-new-issue-of-rolling-stone-20100119|archive-date=July 13, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinkisthenewblog.com/2010/01/john-mayer-does-rolling-stone-magazine|title=John Mayer Does 'Rolling Stone' Magazine|website=Pink is the New Blog|date=January 20, 2010|access-date=July 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715085059/http://www.pinkisthenewblog.com/2010/01/john-mayer-does-rolling-stone-magazine/|archive-date=July 15, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Personal troubles and hiatus (2010–2013)===
{{see also|Born and Raised (John Mayer album)}}

{{quote box|width=350px|align=right|quote=I did a lot of therapy, like anti-acid reflux, and it didn't work, then I went on vocal rest. No alcohol. No spicy food. No talking. Most of September I wasn't talking at all. I'd have a Bluetooth keyboard, and someone would have an iPad to read what I type. I had to point to menus at restaurants.|source=John Mayer<ref name="mayer silent">{{cite web|title=John Mayer: 'I was silent for a month' |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2012/06/11/john-mayer-%E2%80%98i-was-silent-for-a-month%E2%80%99/|website=San Francisco Chronicle |date=June 11, 2012 |access-date=June 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612201357/http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2012/06/11/john-mayer-%e2%80%98i-was-silent-for-a-month%e2%80%99/|archive-date=June 12, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>}} Following two revealing and highly controversial magazine interviews in February 2010 with ''Rolling Stone'' and ''Playboy'' magazines,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Herrera |first=Monica |date=February 10, 2010 |title=John Mayer's Sexually, Racially Charged Playboy Interview Sparks Outrage |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/john-mayers-sexually-racially-charged-playboy-interview-sparks-outrage-959433/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> Mayer withdrew from public life and ceased giving interviews. While still on tour for ''Battle Studies'', he began work in earnest on his fifth studio album—which drew on the popular music of [[Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles#History|Laurel Canyon]] in the early 1970s.<ref name=sniping>Wood, Mikael (August 15, 2013), [https://latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-mn-mayer-swift-personal-20130818-story.html#page=1 "Musical sniping, a la John Mayer and Taylor Swift"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411165722/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-mn-mayer-swift-personal-20130818-story.html#page=1 |date=April 11, 2015}}. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved March 25, 2015.</ref> Around this time, he began to experience vocal problems, and sought medical assistance.<ref name=DIEHL>{{cite magazine |last=Diehl |first=Matt |date=March 30, 2013|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1554215/john-mayer-the-billboard-cover-story |title=Breaking the Silence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409093418/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1554215/john-mayer-the-billboard-cover-story |archive-date=April 9, 2015 |magazine=Billboard |volume=125 |number=12 |pages=30–35}}</ref> On September 16, 2011, he posted on his blog that his next record, ''Born and Raised,'' would be delayed due to treatment he was receiving for a [[granuloma]] discovered on his vocal cords.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Matthew Perpetua |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-diagnosed-with-throat-condition-20110919 |title=John Mayer Diagnosed With Throat Condition |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 19, 2011 |access-date=April 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429102422/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-diagnosed-with-throat-condition-20110919 |archive-date=April 29, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Mayer described the event as a "temporary setback" and added that the album was entirely finished except for a few vocal tracks.<ref>Levy, Daniel S. (October 3, 2011), "Passages".''People''. '''76''' (13):76.</ref> A month later, on October 20, 2011, Mayer posted, "I had surgery this afternoon to remove it and am now on complete vocal rest for a month or more," during which he planned to "travel the country, look, and listen".<ref>Fowler, Brandi (October 23, 2011), [http://www.eonline.com/news/271064/john-mayer-has-surgery-to-heal-vocal-cords "John Mayer Has Surgery to Heal Vocal Cords"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403171340/http://www.eonline.com/news/271064/john-mayer-has-surgery-to-heal-vocal-cords |date=April 3, 2015}}. E!. Retrieved March 23, 2015.</ref> However, the surgery did not work as expected, and he had to undergo another one that August.<ref name= "mayer silent" /><ref name=patrickdoyle>Doyle, Patrick (January 30, 2013), [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-john-mayer-on-his-new-voice-summer-tour-and-dating-katy-perry-20130130 Q&A: John Mayer on His New Voice, Summer Tour and Dating Katy Perry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903121602/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-john-mayer-on-his-new-voice-summer-tour-and-dating-katy-perry-20130130 |date=September 3, 2017}}. ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved March 19, 2015.</ref> During his travels, he visited and fell in love with [[Bozeman, Montana]], where he bought a house and re-settled in the spring of 2012.<ref name="ellen">{{cite web |date=May 15, 2012 |title=John Mayer on Taking a Break |url=http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2012/05/john_mayer_on_taking_a_break_0515.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617205210/http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2012/05/john_mayer_on_taking_a_break_0515.php |archive-date=June 17, 2012 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |website=Warner Bros}}</ref><ref name="Missoula Independent">Browning, Skylar (May 15, 2012), [http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/IndyBlog/archives/2012/05/15/john-mayer-now-lives-in-montana "John Mayer now lives in Montana"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927065526/http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/IndyBlog/archives/2012/05/15/john-mayer-now-lives-in-montana |date=September 27, 2012}}. ''Missoula Independent''. Retrieved June 1, 2012.</ref><ref name="CBS Sunday morning">{{cite web|title=John Mayer: His "Shadow Days" Are Over"|date=February 10, 2013 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-mayer-his-shadow-days-are-over/|publisher=CBS News|access-date=February 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218183037/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-mayer-his-shadow-days-are-over/|archive-date=December 18, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:The Rolling Stones with John Mayer, Prudential Center 2012-12-13.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Mayer on stage with [[the Rolling Stones]] at the [[Prudential Center]], New Jersey, on December 13, 2012]]
With his treatments complete, Mayer finished the vocals on ''Born and Raised'',<ref name=DIEHL /> and the album's first single, "Shadow Days", was released on February 27, 2012. The following day, he released the track listing for the album, announcing that it would be released on May 22 of that year.<ref name="born and raised track listing">{{cite web|url=http://johnmayer.com/news/news-18431927036/ |title=Release Date/Track Listing |publisher=John Mayer |access-date=April 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503033911/http://johnmayer.com/news/news-18431927036/ |archive-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref> He described it as his "most honest" album,<ref name="ellen" /> and begin booking dates at more "intimate" venues than for ''Battle Studies''.<ref name=DIEHL/> He also accepted an invitation to appear at the [[South by Southwest]] festival.<ref name=DIEHL /> However, the granuloma returned, and on March 9, 2012, Mayer announced that he had been forced to cancel his tour and refrain from all singing indefinitely.<ref>Oldenburg, Ann (March 9, 2012), [http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/03/john-mayer-cancels-tour-takes-indefinite-hiatus/1 "John Mayer cancels tour, takes 'indefinite hiatus'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310125955/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/03/john-mayer-cancels-tour-takes-indefinite-hiatus/1 |date=March 10, 2012}}. ''USA Today''. Retrieved March 18, 2015.</ref> Even so, ''Born and Raised'' was released as scheduled, and entered the ''Billboard'' 200 chart at number one, selling 219,000 copies in its first week.<ref name=DIEHL /> It also received generally positive critical feedback; ''Rolling Stone'' rated it number 17 on its list of the 50 Best Albums of 2012,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=''Rolling Stone'' staff|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2012-20121205/john-mayer-born-and-raised-19691231|title=John Mayer, 'Born and Raised' |date=December 5, 2012|access-date=March 25, 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331060151/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2012-20121205/john-mayer-born-and-raised-19691231 |archive-date=March 31, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''People'' magazine called it "a shimmering album".<ref>Arnold, Chuck (May 28, 2012), [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20596474,00.html "John Mayer's "Born and Raised" Is a Perfect Road Trip Album: Review"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161554/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20596474,00.html |date=April 2, 2015}}, ''People''. '''77''' (22):47.</ref> Meanwhile, Mayer brought a new focus to his guitar playing and, fearing that his vocal cords had been permanently damaged, tried to come to terms with a possible future as a [[session musician]].<ref name=DIEHL /> Determined to be cured, he sought help from the [[UCLA]] Voice Center.<ref name=DIEHL/> That September, [[otolaryngologist]] Dr. Gerald Berke paralyzed Mayer's vocal cords with a series of high-dose [[Botox#Medical uses|Botox]] injections, hoping that they would allow the granuloma to heal.<ref name=DIEHL/> Mayer's vocal rest extended to several months and,<ref>{{cite web|last=Oldenburg|first=Ann|title=After more throat surgery, John Mayer takes vow of silence |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/09/after-more-throat-surgery-john-mayer-takes-vow-of-silence/1|website=USA Today| access-date=February 18, 2013|date=September 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214121203/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/09/after-more-throat-surgery-john-mayer-takes-vow-of-silence/1|archive-date=February 14, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> unable to even talk, his performances were limited to accompanying other artists on guitar. He appeared in September 2012 on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', where he joined musical guest [[Frank Ocean]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Markman|first=Rob|title=Frank Ocean's Big Weekend: 'SNL' Debut And A Brand-New Video|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1693922/frank-ocean-snl-pyramids-single.jhtml |publisher=MTV |access-date=February 18, 2013|date=September 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123134756/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1693922/frank-ocean-snl-pyramids-single.jhtml|archive-date=November 23, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He played with [[the Rolling Stones]] in New Jersey in December 2012.<ref name=DIEHL/>

By January 2013, Mayer had recovered sufficiently enough to perform at a benefit concert in Bozeman, after almost two years without singing publicly.<ref name="benefitconcert">{{cite web|last=Hergett|first=Rachel|title=Welcome home|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_263a856c-606e-11e2-9626-001a4bcf887a.html|website=The Bozeman Daily Chronicle |access-date=February 18, 2013 |date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120143224/http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_263a856c-606e-11e2-9626-001a4bcf887a.html|archive-date=January 20, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2013, he made an appearance at the [[Crossroads Guitar Festival]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Harp|first=Justin|title=John Mayer, Jeff Beck join Eric Clapton's Crossroads festival |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a441917/john-mayer-jeff-beck-join-eric-claptons-crossroads-festival.html|website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date= February 18, 2013|date=November 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214065833/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a441917/john-mayer-jeff-beck-join-eric-claptons-crossroads-festival.html |archive-date=February 14, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and at the 28th Annual [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] Induction Ceremony, where he inducted the late [[Albert King]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Graff|first=Gary|title=Foo Fighters, Don Henley, John Mayer Lead 2013 Rock Hall Presenters|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/record-labels/1521511/foo-fighters-don-henley-john-mayer-lead-2013-rock-hall| magazine= Billboard |access-date=February 18, 2013|date=January 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204072239/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/record-labels/1521511/foo-fighters-don-henley-john-mayer-lead-2013-rock-hall|archive-date=February 4, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> A show at the [[Tuscaloosa Amphitheater]] in Alabama on April 25, 2013, followed by a set at the [[New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival]] the next day, marked his first full-length concerts since his health troubles.<ref name= DIEHL/><ref>{{cite web|last=Barton|first=Chris|title=Fleetwood Mac and Frank Ocean lead New Orleans Jazz Fest lineup |url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-frank-ocean-wayne-shorter-new-orleans-jazz-fest-20130117,0,6757985.story|website=Los Angeles Times| access-date=February 18, 2013|date=January 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131171944/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-frank-ocean-wayne-shorter-new-orleans-jazz-fest-20130117,0,6757985.story|archive-date=January 31, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Hughes Cobb, Mark (April 26, 2013), [http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20130426/news/130429796 "John Mayer starts off season at Tuscaloosa Amphitheater"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402222743/http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20130426/news/130429796 |date=April 2, 2015}}, ''Tuscaloosa News''. Retrieved March 20, 2015.</ref>

===''Paradise Valley'', Dead & Company, ''The Search for Everything'' (2013–2018)===
{{main|Paradise Valley (album)|Dead & Company|The Search for Everything}}
[[File:John Mayer at the Barclays Center.jpeg|thumbnail|Mayer performing at the [[Barclays Center]] in [[Brooklyn, New York]], on December 17, 2013]]
In June 2013, Mayer announced that he was finishing work on his sixth album, ''[[Paradise Valley (album)|Paradise Valley]].''<ref>{{cite web|date=June 18, 2013|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151686223176252&set=a.157882861251.115273.5295171251&type=1|title=It's official. the new album is Paradise Valley|via=Facebook|access-date=June 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017085446/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151686223176252&set=a.157882861251.115273.5295171251&type=1|archive-date=October 17, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2025}} Produced by [[Don Was]], the album features "low-key folk-rock tunes".<ref name=sniping/><ref name=Vozick>Vozick-Levinson, Simon (September 12, 2013), [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-swears-hes-done-with-the-fame-game-20130830 "John Mayer Swears He's Done With the Fame Game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827130254/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-swears-hes-done-with-the-fame-game-20130830 |date=August 27, 2017 }}". ''Rolling Stone''. (1191):16.</ref> He collaborated with [[Frank Ocean]] on the song "Wildfire Pt. 2",<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Coulehan|first=Eric|title=New John Mayer Album Features Katy Perry, Frank Ocean|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/new-john-mayer-album-features-katy-perry-frank-ocean-20130808|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=December 24, 2013|date=August 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020122507/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/new-john-mayer-album-features-katy-perry-frank-ocean-20130808|archive-date=October 20, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and with [[Katy Perry]] on "[[Who You Love]]".<ref name=ParadiseNow>{{cite magazine|last=Danton|first=Eric R.|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-to-john-mayers-paradise-valley-now-20130813|title=Listen to John Mayer's 'Paradise Valley' Now|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=August 13, 2013|date=August 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816040801/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-to-john-mayers-paradise-valley-now-20130813|archive-date=August 16, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The latter song would go on to become the album's third single, and an accompanying music video was released on December 17.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Miller|first=Julie|title=Exclusive: John Mayer and Katy Perry's First Portraits Together, Commemorating Their 'Who You Love' Single|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/12/john-mayer-katy-perry-who-you-love-artwork_slideshow_item4_5|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=December 2, 2013|access-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205010559/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/12/john-mayer-katy-perry-who-you-love-artwork_slideshow_item4_5|archive-date=December 5, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 18, 2013, he released a lyric video for the album's first single, "Paper Doll", on his official YouTube page.<ref>{{cite AV media | date = June 18, 2013 | title = John Mayer – Paper Doll (Lyric) | medium = Music video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=565tXd1UyYI | access-date = March 19, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317083308/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=565tXd1UyYI | archive-date = March 17, 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref> The album was released August 20, 2013,<ref>Danton, Eric R (August 13, 2013), [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-to-john-mayers-paradise-valley-now-20130813 "Listen to John Mayer's 'Paradise Valley' Now"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816040801/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-to-john-mayers-paradise-valley-now-20130813 |date=August 16, 2013 }}. Retrieved March 23, 2015.</ref> and—meeting with positive reviews<ref name=metacritic>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/paradise-valley/john-mayer/critic-reviews |title=Critic Reviews for Paradise Valley |website=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=August 19, 2013 |access-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207075546/http://www.metacritic.com/music/paradise-valley/john-mayer/critic-reviews |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>—debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, with first-week sales of 145,560 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/salescht.cgi |title=Building Album Sales Chart |website=HITS Daily Double |access-date=August 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915012320/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/salescht.cgi |archive-date=September 15, 2014 }}</ref> Mayer embarked on a tour, his first in three years, in support of ''Born and Raised'' and ''Paradise Valley''. The American leg of the tour ran from July to December 2013 with [[Interscope Records|Interscope]] recording artist [[Phillip Phillips]] serving as the supporting act.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Schneider|first=Marc|title=John Mayer Announces First Tour in 3 Years|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1554197/john-mayer-announces-first-tour-in-3-years|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 24, 2013|date=March 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108194945/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1554197/john-mayer-announces-first-tour-in-3-years|archive-date=January 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|title=Katy Perry, John Mayer Kiss Onstage: Watch Their Live 'Who You Love' Duet|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1719266/katy-perry-john-mayer-onstage-kiss-video.jhtml|publisher=MTV|access-date=December 24, 2013|date=December 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220210807/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1719266/katy-perry-john-mayer-onstage-kiss-video.jhtml|archive-date=December 20, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tour visited Australia in April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bella|first=Sarah|title=John Mayer Announces Headlining Australian Tour Dates, April 2014|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/john-mayer-announces-headlining-australian-tour-dates-april-2014/|website=Music Feeds|access-date=December 24, 2013|date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123073813/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/john-mayer-announces-headlining-australian-tour-dates-april-2014/|archive-date=January 23, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

During a concert in [[Adelaide, Australia|Adelaide]], Mayer covered the Beyoncé song "[[XO (song)#John Mayer version|XO]]" .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/04/15/video-john-mayer-covers-beyonce-xo/|title=John Mayer Covers Beyoncé's 'XO'|work=Rap-Up|date=April 15, 2014|access-date=June 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806105034/http://www.rap-up.com/2014/04/15/video-john-mayer-covers-beyonce-xo/|archive-date=August 6, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> One month later, on May 22, he released a studio version of the song on his [[SoundCloud]] account.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a573141/john-mayer-unveils-acoustic-cover-of-beyonces-xo.html|title=John Mayer unveils acoustic cover of Beyoncé's 'XO'|publisher=Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation|first=Tom|last=Eames|date=May 23, 2014|access-date=May 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523212707/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a573141/john-mayer-unveils-acoustic-cover-of-beyonces-xo.html|archive-date=May 23, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> It was made available for digital download by Columbia Records on May 27, 2014, through the iTunes Store.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/xo-single/881555962|title=XO – Single by John Mayer|date=May 27, 2014|publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc|location=United States|access-date=May 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813072417/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xo-single/id881555962|archive-date=August 13, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> For the week ending June 1, 2014, Mayer's version debuted at number 90 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and number 13 on the US [[Hot Rock Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/john-mayers-beyonce-cover-soars-onto-hot-rock-songs-chart/|title=John Mayer's Beyonce Cover Soars Onto Hot Rock Songs Chart|last=White|first=Emily|magazine=Billboard|date=June 6, 2014|access-date=June 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609234805/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6113840/john-mayers-beyonce-cover-soars-onto-hot-rock-songs-chart|archive-date=June 9, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100?page=8 |title=June 14, 2014: The Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704070039/http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100?page=8 |page=9 |archive-date=July 4, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On the Canadian Hot 100, "XO" peaked at a position of 76.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=John Mayer Chart History (Canadian Hot 100) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/john-mayer/chart-history/can/ |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The single also peaked at number 81 on the Australian Singles Chart (its debut week),<ref>{{cite web|first=Gavin|last=Ryan|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/justice-crew-top-aria-singles-for-5th-week-20140607|title=Justice Crew Top ARIA Singles Chart For 5th Week|work=Noise11|publisher=Noise Network|date=June 7, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714221740/http://www.noise11.com/news/justice-crew-top-aria-singles-for-5th-week-20140607|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and at number 95 on the [[Single Top 100|Dutch Singles Chart]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hung |first1=Steffen |title=John Mayer - XO (in Dutch) |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=John+Mayer&titel=XO&cat=s |website=Dutch Charts}}</ref> In the UK, it peaked at 115 on the UK singles chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/140607cluk.txt|title=Chart Log UK: New Entries Update – 7.06.2014 (Week 22)|publisher=zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz|access-date=July 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213705/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/140607cluk.txt|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Mayer recorded the song "[[Come Rain or Come Shine]]" as a duet with [[Barbra Streisand]] for her album ''[[Partners (Barbra Streisand album)|Partners]]'', released in September 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stern|first1=Bradley|title=Barbra Streisand Is Hypnotized By John Mayer's Sexy Guitar Strumming In 'Partners' Album Trailer: Watch|url=http://www.idolator.com/7533843/barbra-streisand-john-mayer-sexy-guitar-duets-album-partners|website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=August 7, 2015|date=September 5, 2014}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kyriazis|first1=Stefan|title=VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Watch Barbra Streisand and John Mayer record Come Rain Or Come Shine|url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/548301/Barbra-Streisand-John-Mayer-video|website=Daily Express|access-date=August 7, 2015|date=December 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630005819/http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/548301/Barbra-Streisand-John-Mayer-video|archive-date=June 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2015, Mayer performed alongside [[Ed Sheeran]] at the [[57th Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Flanagan|first1=Andrew|title=Grammys 2015: Ed Sheeran Performs 'Thinking Out Loud' with Questlove, Herbie Hancock, John Mayer|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/grammys-2015/grammy-performances/6465571/grammys-2015-ed-sheeran-thinking-out-loud-herbie-hancock-john-mayer-questlove|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=August 7, 2015|date=February 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729075854/http://www.billboard.com/articles/grammys-2015/grammy-performances/6465571/grammys-2015-ed-sheeran-thinking-out-loud-herbie-hancock-john-mayer-questlove|archive-date=July 29, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> As of March, Mayer said he was taking break from working on a "deeply personal new album".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Reed|first1=Ryan|title=John Mayer: 'My High-Speed Crash Was an Intellectual One'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/john-mayer-my-high-speed-crash-was-an-intellectual-one-20150309|website=[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]|date=March 9, 2015|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804234946/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/john-mayer-my-high-speed-crash-was-an-intellectual-one-20150309|archive-date=August 4, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Mayer also recounted that in 2011 he happened upon a song by the [[Grateful Dead]] while listening to [[Pandora Radio|Pandora]], and that soon the band's music was all he would listen to.<ref name=deadtour>{{cite magazine|title = John Mayer Talks Grateful Dead Legacy, Fare Thee Well and Learning to Play 'A Universe of Great Songs'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grateful-dead/6655956/john-mayer-grateful-dead-and-company-interview|magazine = Billboard|date = August 5, 2015|access-date = November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114163602/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grateful-dead/6655956/john-mayer-grateful-dead-and-company-interview|archive-date = November 14, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2015, while guest hosting ''[[The Late Late Show (Ireland)|The Late Late Show]]'', Mayer invited Grateful Dead guitar player [[Bob Weir]] to join him in a studio performance. While Weir, [[Phil Lesh]], [[Mickey Hart]] and [[Bill Kreutzmann]] (surviving members of the Grateful Dead) were preparing for their [[Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead]] tour with [[Trey Anastasio]], Mayer began practicing the band's catalog of songs. That August, Mayer, Weir, Kreutzmann, and Hart formed the group [[Dead & Company]], along with [[Jeff Chimenti]] and [[Oteil Burbridge]], and began a fall tour in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Halperin|first1=Shirley|title=The Grateful Dead Is Resurrected Once More, This Time With John Mayer: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grateful-dead/6655898/grateful-dead-john-mayer-show-tour|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 7, 2015|date=August 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807063753/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grateful-dead/6655898/grateful-dead-john-mayer-show-tour|archive-date=August 7, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour was well received (''Billboard'' called it "magical"),<ref name= NYT-Launch16/> and they continued to tour the US into 2016.<ref name=NYT-Launch16/> Although Lesh has declined to join Dead & Company, Mayer also performed with [[Phil Lesh and Friends]] at Terrapin Crossroads in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=John MAyer with Phil Lesh & Friends at Terrapin Crossroads |url=https://www.jambase.com/article/john-mayer-with-phil-lesh-friends-at-terrapin-crossroads |website=Jambase |access-date=September 10, 2018 |date=August 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828071145/https://www.jambase.com/article/john-mayer-with-phil-lesh-friends-at-terrapin-crossroads |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

As a result of his touring with Dead & Company, Mayer postponed working on his next studio album until January 2016, with plans to finish it by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news|title=John Mayer grateful for his time with Dead & Company|url=https://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article92189277.html|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|access-date=July 29, 2016|last1=Sculley|first1=Alan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923105650/http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article92189277.html|archive-date=September 23, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 17, 2016, Mayer released "[[Love on the Weekend]]" as the lead single from his EP ''[[The Search for Everything: Wave One]]'', which was then released on January 20, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Danielle Jackson|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/01/03/john-mayer-release-plans-new-music/|title=John Mayer announces release plans for new music|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=January 3, 2017|access-date=May 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322204617/http://ew.com/music/2017/01/03/john-mayer-release-plans-new-music/|archive-date=March 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> A second EP, ''[[The Search for Everything: Wave Two]]'', was released on February 24, 2017, along with the single "Still Feel Like Your Man". The album ''[[The Search for Everything]]'' was released on April 14, 2017, and was promoted by a third single titled "In the Blood", released on May 1, 2017,<ref>{{cite web|title=John Mayer - In the Blood (Radio Edit)|url=http://daily.plaympe.com/john-mayer-in-the-blood-radio-edit/|publisher=Daily Play MPE|access-date=May 3, 2017|date=May 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507160950/http://daily.plaympe.com/john-mayer-in-the-blood-radio-edit/|archive-date=May 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=John Mayer ships 'In the Blood' to country studio|date=May 2, 2017 |url=http://theboot.com/john-mayer-country-single-in-the-blood/|publisher=The Boot|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419121030/http://theboot.com/john-mayer-country-single-in-the-blood/|archive-date=April 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and by [[The Search for Everything World Tour]] from March to October of the same year.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-maps-out-search-for-everything-world-tour-w463576|title=John Mayer Maps Out 'Search for Everything' World Tour|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|date=January 30, 2017|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=Wenner Media LLC|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516162922/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-maps-out-search-for-everything-world-tour-w463576|archive-date=May 16, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mayer also continued touring with Dead & Company during the [[Dead & Company Summer Tour 2017|summer]]<ref name=Dead2017>{{cite web |url=http://www.jambase.com/article/dead-company-announces-summer-tour-2017 |title=Dead & Company Announce Summer Tour 2017 |work=Jam Base |date=December 1, 2016 |access-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203151802/http://www.jambase.com/article/dead-company-announces-summer-tour-2017 |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Dead & Company Fall Tour 2017|fall]]<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Dead & Company detail fall tour|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dead-company-detail-fall-tour-w501739|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 7, 2017|date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225174116/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dead-company-detail-fall-tour-w501739|archive-date=December 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> of 2017. On December 5, during the Fall Tour, his appendix burst, resulting in an emergency [[appendectomy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/05/entertainment/john-mayer-appendectomy/index.html|title=John Mayer recovering from emergency appendectomy|last1=Gonzales|first1=Sandra|date=December 6, 2017|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=April 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409110211/https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/05/entertainment/john-mayer-appendectomy/index.html|archive-date=April 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and the postponement of the remaining tour dates to February 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/dead-company-announces-2018-tour-dates|title=Dead & Company Announces New Dates For Postponed Shows|work=JamBase|date=December 8, 2017|access-date=April 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409171541/https://www.jambase.com/article/dead-company-announces-2018-tour-dates|archive-date=April 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2018, Dead & Company announced their [[Dead & Company Summer Tour 2018]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Wandera|last=Hussein|date=January 18, 2018|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/dead-and-company-tour-2018-dates/|title=Dead & Company Announce 19-City Summertime Tour|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118164256/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8094919/dead-and-company-tour-2018-dates|archive-date=January 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== ''Sob Rock'' (2018–present) ===
{{main|Sob Rock}}
On May 10, 2018, Mayer released the single "[[New Light (John Mayer song)|New Light]]", co-produced by [[No I.D.]] and Mayer himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/john-mayer-and-no-id-share-new-song-new-light-listen/|title=John Mayer and No I.D. Share New Song "New Light": Listen|last1=Kim|first1=Michelle|date=May 10, 2018|website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511081207/https://pitchfork.com/news/john-mayer-and-no-id-share-new-song-new-light-listen/|archive-date=May 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with [[Zane Lowe]] for [[Apple Music]] on the release day, he announced "more new music" for 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhbpo5Bv4Vs|title=John Mayer: 'New Light' Premiere &#124; Apple Music|date=May 10, 2018|via=YouTube|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531154744/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhbpo5Bv4Vs|archive-date=May 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> During his performance at the iHeartRadio Theater on October 24, 2018, he premiered a song titled "I Guess I Just Feel Like".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/john-mayer-new-song-i-guess-i-just-feel-like-listen-iheartradio-theater-concert-recap-8481727/|title=John Mayer Debuts New Song 'I Guess I Just Feel Like,' Plus More Highlights From LA iHeartRadio Theater Set|last1=Atkinson|first1=Katie|date=October 25, 2018|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217135807/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8481727/john-mayer-new-song-i-guess-i-just-feel-like-listen-iheartradio-theater-concert-recap|archive-date=December 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 12, 2018, he announced a world tour for 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/109277264/john-mayer-kicks-off-world-tour-in-new-zealand|title=John Mayer to kick off world tour in New Zealand, 2019|date=December 12, 2018|website=[[Stuff (company)]]|access-date=December 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223154/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/109277264/john-mayer-kicks-off-world-tour-in-new-zealand|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Mayer released two singles in 2019; the previously played "I Guess I Just Feel Like" on February 22, and "Carry Me Away" on September 6.

During an episode of John Mayer's show "Current Mood" on March 15, 2020, he revealed that he was in the process of writing and recording songs for a new album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/john-mayer-coronavirus-anxiety-quarantines-current-mood/|title=John Mayer Talks New Album, Anxiety, COVID-19, More Live On 'Current Mood' [Watch]|work=Live For Live Music|last=Kawas|first=Kel|date=March 16, 2020|access-date=October 7, 2020}}</ref> In early 2021, he stated that the album was completely finished as he began posting snippets of new songs on [[TikTok]] ahead of release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/john-mayer-new-album-preview-tiktok/|title=John Mayer Shares Preview Of New Album On TikTok [Watch]|work=Live For Live Music|last=O'Brien|first=Andrew|date=March 28, 2021|access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref> In an interview with [[Kerwin Frost]], Mayer hinted at an April release for the album.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/iWgyprxp1wk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210320112039/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWgyprxp1wk Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Citation|title=KERWIN FROST TALKS TO JOHN MAYER| date=March 12, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWgyprxp1wk|access-date=April 4, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Later, the date was pushed back. On June 1, 2021, Mayer officially announced his eighth album, ''[[Sob Rock]]'', and on June 4, released the lead single "[[Last Train Home (John Mayer song)|Last Train Home]]" along with an accompanying music video. The album was released on July 16, 2021, as well as a music video for the song, "Shot in the Dark". The track list included previously released singles "New Light", "I Guess I Just Feel Like" and "Carry Me Away". "Carry Me Away" was slightly reworked production-wise to fit the album's 1980s aesthetic.

== Touring ==
Mayer began touring as a solo artist in 2001.<ref>Shaw, Lucy (February 28, 2002), "ON THE ROAD". ''Rolling Stone''. (890):25.</ref> While his early records were largely acoustic, early reviewers noted his unexpected electric "guitar heroics" during live performances.<ref name="gavinedwards">Edwards, Gavin (August 22, 2002), "John Mayer". ''Rolling Stone''. (903):28.</ref>

Mayer has toured North America, Europe and Australia<ref name="BT">Sinclair, David (2007). [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music-gigs/features/article2167383.ece "John Mayer: My Atlantic crossing"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121209032446/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music-gigs/features/article2167383.ece |date=December 9, 2012}} ''The Belfast Telegraph''. Retrieved January 28, 2007.</ref> with many musical groups, including [[Maroon 5]],<ref name=RS>Dansby, Andrew (2004). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070212132837/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/johnmayer/articles/story/5937015/mayer_maroon_5_hit_the_road "Mayer, Maroon 5 Hit the Road"], ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved April 12, 2006.</ref><ref name="summer 2004">{{cite web|title=John Mayer Summer Tour Dates Announced|url=http://sony.mediaroom.com/2004-03-30-John-Mayer-Summer-Tour-Dates-Announced|publisher=Sony Music|date=March 30, 2004|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614021359/http://sony.mediaroom.com/2004-03-30-John-Mayer-Summer-Tour-Dates-Announced|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Counting Crows]],<ref name=RoSt>Dansby, Andrew (2003). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070212132747/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/johnmayer/articles/story/5936057/mayer_crows_to_tour "Mayer, Crows to Tour "] ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved April 12, 2006.</ref><ref name="Mayer Crows">{{cite magazine|title=Mayer Flies With Crows For Summer Tour|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/71677/mayer-flies-with-crows-for-summer-tour|magazine=Billboard|date=April 4, 2003|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614103744/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/71677/mayer-flies-with-crows-for-summer-tour|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ben Folds]], [[the Wallflowers]], [[Sheryl Crow]], [[Colbie Caillat]] and [[Train (band)|Train]].<ref name="Mayer Crow">AP staff (June 15, 2006). [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58131/crow-mayer-teaming-for-tour "Crow, Mayer Teaming For Tour"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524193251/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58131/crow-mayer-teaming-for-tour |date=May 24, 2013 }}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved May 31, 2007.</ref> In 2010, Mayer and [[Keith Urban]] performed at a [[CMT Crossroads]] concert a medley of their songs and a rendition of [[George Michael]]'s single "Faith".<ref>{{cite web|title=CMT Crossroads: John Mayer and Keith Urban Premieres June 18|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1637815/cmt-crossroads-john-mayer-and-keith-urban-premieres-june-18/|publisher=CMT|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614021303/http://www.cmt.com/news/1637815/cmt-crossroads-john-mayer-and-keith-urban-premieres-june-18/|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> This performance led to Urban and Mayer teaming up again for future performances, including at the [[CMT Music Awards#2010|2010 CMT Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=On the Scene at the 2010 CMT Music Awards|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/on-the-scene-at-the-2010-cmt-music-awards-20100609/john-mayer-and-keith-urban-62160486|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 9, 2010|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614021201/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/on-the-scene-at-the-2010-cmt-music-awards-20100609/john-mayer-and-keith-urban-62160486|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mayer allows [[taper (concert)|audio taping]] and non-commercial trading of those recordings at most of his live performances.<ref name="Local83">[http://www.local-83.com/web/guest/v2policies General Information] Local 83: Listener's Union. Retrieved June 25, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611101212/http://www.local-83.com/web/guest/v2policies |date=June 11, 2007}}</ref> Mayer often shows up at small venues unannounced (or with little advance notice) for surprise concerts—occasionally for free or without accepting the performance fee.<ref>''NME'' New York staff (October 15, 2007), [https://www.nme.com/news/nme/31822 "John Mayer plays tiny surprise show in New York"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201414/http://www.nme.com/news/nme/31822 |date=March 4, 2016}}. ''NME''. Retrieved January 18, 2011.</ref><ref>Kaplan, Michelle (December 6, 2010), [http://yeahnewyork.com/features/john-mayers-surprise-appearance/ "John Mayer's Surprise Appearance"]. ''Yeah New York''. Retrieved January 18, 2011. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922070706/http://yeahnewyork.com/features/john-mayers-surprise-appearance/ |date=September 22, 2020 }}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=March 2015}}<ref>(August 9, 2009), [http://www.johnmayer.com/news/permalink/161 "Secret Show Tonight 8/9/09 at LA'S Troubadour!"']. JohnMayer.com. Retrieved January 18, 2011. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202090114/http://www.johnmayer.com/news/permalink/161 |date=December 2, 2010 }}</ref> He has made appearances throughout the Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York areas, including shows at [[the Laugh Factory]],<ref name="contactmusic">WENN (June 15, 2006). [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/story/mayer-apologises-to-hewitt_15_06_2006 "Mayer Apologises To Hewitt"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914095347/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/story/mayer-apologises-to-hewitt_15_06_2006 |date=September 14, 2009 }}. ContactMusic.com. Retrieved March 23, 2015.</ref> [[Eddie's Attic]],<ref>Swartz, Kristi E., et al. (September 8, 2010), [http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-music/john-mayer-plays-surprise-608750.html "John Mayer plays surprise Eddie's Attic show Tuesday"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405185849/http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-music/john-mayer-plays-surprise-608750.html |date=April 5, 2012}}. ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]''. Retrieved January 18, 2011.</ref> and the Village Underground.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} After a public campaign by their senior class president, Mayer performed a surprise three-song set at the 2004 [[Pennsbury High School]] senior prom.<ref>Scaggs, Austin and Sheffield, Rob (June 24, 2004), "Your Prom Is a Wonderland". ''Rolling Stone''. (951):60.</ref> In June 2015, Mayer appeared as a guest for two nights with [[Phil Lesh and Friends]] at [[Terrapin Crossroads]], recreating the [[Grateful Dead]]'s notable May 8 and June 9, 1977, concerts.<ref>(June 13, 2015), [http://www.jambands.com/news/2015/06/13/john-mayer-helps-phil-lesh-recreate-cornell-77-show-at-terrapin-crossroads "John Mayer Helps Phil Lesh Recreate Cornell '77 Show at Terrapin Crossroads"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615181037/http://www.jambands.com/news/2015/06/13/john-mayer-helps-phil-lesh-recreate-cornell-77-show-at-terrapin-crossroads |date=June 15, 2015 }}. Jam Bands. Retrieved June 16, 2015.</ref><ref>(June 14, 2015), [http://www.jambase.com/Articles/125431/Video-John-Mayer-Again-Joins-Phil-Lesh-and-Friends "John Mayer Again Joins Phil Lesh & Friends"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615234558/http://www.jambase.com/Articles/125431/Video-John-Mayer-Again-Joins-Phil-Lesh-and-Friends |date=June 15, 2015 }}. Jam Base. Retrieved June 16, 2015</ref>

[[File:Map of Countries Where John Mayer Has Performed Live.png|thumb|Concert tour locations of John Mayer as of March 2025, showing countries where he has performed live.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tourdatesearch.com/tourdates/artist/884/john-mayer|title=TourDateSearch.com: John Mayer tour dates|website=Tourdatesearch.com|access-date=July 16, 2025}}</ref>]]

;Headlining
*Room for Squares Tour (2002)<ref name="summer 2002">{{cite web|title=John Mayer Returns to the Road On Summer Concert Tour|url=http://sony.mediaroom.com/2002-07-03-John-Mayer-Returns-to-the-Road-On-Summer-Concert-Tour|publisher=Sony Music|date=July 3, 2002|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614044721/http://sony.mediaroom.com/2002-07-03-John-Mayer-Returns-to-the-Road-On-Summer-Concert-Tour|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fall John Mayer Tour Dates Announced|url=https://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-columbia-records/2002/fall-john-mayer-tour-dates-announced.html|publisher=Sony Music|date=October 25, 2002|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614044631/https://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-columbia-records/2002/fall-john-mayer-tour-dates-announced.html|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Heavier Things Tour (2003–2004)
*John Mayer 2004 Summer Tour (2004)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=John Mayer Lining Up 2004 Dates|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/67930/john-mayer-lining-up-2004-dates|magazine=Billboard|date=December 3, 2003|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614170321/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/67930/john-mayer-lining-up-2004-dates|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="summer 2004" />
*Continuum Tour (2006–2007)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=John Mayer Plots Winter U.S. Tour|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56793/john-mayer-plots-winter-us-tour|magazine=Billboard|date=October 31, 2006|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614060557/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56793/john-mayer-plots-winter-us-tour|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Mayer Schedules Summer 'Continuum' Tour With Folds|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1053921/mayer-schedules-summer-continuum-tour-with-folds|magazine=Billboard|date=March 14, 2007|access-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614031320/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1053921/mayer-schedules-summer-continuum-tour-with-folds|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[John Mayer 2008 Summer Tour]] (2008)
*[[Battle Studies World Tour]] (2009–2010)
*[[Born and Raised World Tour]] (2013–2014)
*[[The Search for Everything World Tour]] (2017)
*John Mayer 2019 World Tour (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 28, 2019|title=John Mayer 2019 World Tour|url=https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2019/01/john-mayer-2019-world-tour/|access-date=July 3, 2020|website=Live Nation Entertainment}}</ref>
*Sob Rock Tour (2022)
*Solo Tour (2023)

;Co-headlining
*John Mayer/Guster Summer Tour (2002)<ref name="summer 2002" />
*John Mayer/Counting Crows Summer Tour (2003)<ref name="Mayer Crows" />
*John Mayer/Sheryl Crow Tour (2006)<ref name="Mayer Crow" />
;Opening act
*Sting European Tour (2004)<ref name="summer 2004" />
;Touring with [[Dead & Company]]
Mayer joined each annual Tour in the years 2015 to the present.

==Other ventures==
===Dead & Company===
{{main|Dead & Company}}
Since 2015, Mayer has been touring with [[Bob Weir]], [[Bill Kreutzmann]] and [[Mickey Hart]] of the [[Grateful Dead]]. Founding bassist [[Phil Lesh]] had notably declined to participate in the project, although he did perform with Mayer on a few occasions since Dead & Company began.<ref>{{cite web|title=John Mayer with Phil Lesh & Friends at Terrapin Crossroads|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/john-mayer-with-phil-lesh-friends-at-terrapin-crossroads|website=Jambase|access-date=September 10, 2018|date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828071145/https://www.jambase.com/article/john-mayer-with-phil-lesh-friends-at-terrapin-crossroads|archive-date=August 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The role of bassist in Dead & Company has instead been played by [[Oteil Burbridge]] of the [[Allman Brothers Band]]. [[Jeff Chimenti]], who has toured with the various spin-offs of the Dead since the 1990s, is the group's keyboardist. 
 
Although Mayer had been familiar with the music of the Grateful Dead since at least high school, he began to develop a strong interest in their music in 2011 after hearing their song "[[Althea (Grateful Dead song)|Althea]]" by chance on [[Pandora radio]]. In 2015, while the Dead's ''[[Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead|Fare Thee Well]]'' shows with [[Trey Anastasio]] were also being planned, Mayer performed "Althea" with Weir on [[The Late Late Show (U.S. TV series)|The Late Late Show]], along with "[[Truckin']]". Weir was impressed with Mayer's take on the material and began planning to work with him after the Fare Thee Well shows, despite them being billed as something of finale for the band and its legacy. Weir discussed the genesis of the band and his thoughts about working with Mayer in an interview with ''Rolling Stone'' in 2016:

{{Blockquote|I was doing preliminary get-togethers with Trey, kicking around the material. Trey is also a monster musician. If I had to make a broad categorization, John is a classicist by nature. Trey is more of an iconoclast. They're both explorers, someone who's happy to break tradition. Juxtaposing Trey's take on the material with the insights John brings got me looking at all of the songs afresh.

I look forward to playing with Trey again, any old time. But I am really eager to get back out with John-boy and chase the music around, get to know each other. When that dream came to me, it was at about that point that I started to realize that I was feeling comfortable with knowing that John had moved, musically speaking – being able to intuit the songs. We were feeling each other out on a new level, several bars down the road.<ref name="FRICKE">{{cite magazine |last1=Fricke |first1=David |title=Bob Weir on Dead & Company's Future, John Mayer's Strengths |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bob-weir-on-dead-companys-future-john-mayers-classicist-style-50971/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=16 October 2018 |date=31 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828071449/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bob-weir-on-dead-companys-future-john-mayers-classicist-style-50971/ |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

The thought of pop singer Mayer stepping in for [[Jerry Garcia]] was met with some initial skepticism by both fans and music critics, but the shows have since been well received.<ref name="uproxx">{{cite web |title=In Praise Of John Mayer's Unlikely Second Life As A Jam Band Hero |url=https://uproxx.com/music/john-mayer-dead-and-company-jam-band-reinvention/ |website=UPROXX |access-date=October 16, 2018 |date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828134359/https://uproxx.com/music/john-mayer-dead-and-company-jam-band-reinvention/ |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The band continues to tour 2022 and has considered recording a studio album consisting of songs from the Grateful Dead catalog and potentially some originals. In a 2017 interview with ''Rolling Stone'', Lesh praised the band's performances and explained his decision not to take part:
{{Blockquote|"I think they're doing a great job. They're bringing the music to the people just like we always wanted to do, and I commend them for it. I hope they're having a good time. It's not something I could do myself, I'm done with that kind of touring.'<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Phil Lesh on Grateful Dead 'Long Strange Trip' doc: "it's not the whole story."|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/phil-lesh-on-grateful-dead-doc-long-strange-trip-its-not-the-whole-story-110241/|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=10 September 2018|date=May 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910095121/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/phil-lesh-on-grateful-dead-doc-long-strange-trip-its-not-the-whole-story-110241/|archive-date=September 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

===Author===
With the June 2004 issue of ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', Mayer began a column called "Music Lessons with John Mayer".<ref>Newman, Melinda (April 17, 2004), "John Mayer Tries Hand At New Instrument". ''Billboard''. '''116''' (16):13.</ref> Each article featured a lesson and his views on various topics, both of personal and popular interest. In the August 2005 issue, he invited readers to create music for orphaned lyrics he had written.<ref name=contest>Mayer, John (September 2005), [http://www.esquire.com/features/music/ESQ0106MUSIC_38 "The Giveaway: John Mayer's Songwriting Contest"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105182915/http://www.esquire.com/features/music/ESQ0106MUSIC_38 |date=November 5, 2013 }} ''Esquire''. '''144''' (3):80.</ref> The winner was Tim Fagan of [[Los Angeles]] as announced in the following January's issue.<ref name=winner>Mayer, John (January 2006), [http://www.esquire.com/features/music/ESQ0106MUSIC_38 "Tim Fagan Is A Winner"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105182915/http://www.esquire.com/features/music/ESQ0106MUSIC_38 |date=November 5, 2013 }}. ''Esquire''. '''145''' (1): p. 38.</ref>

As social media gained momentum in the 2000s, Mayer became increasingly active online, and maintained five blogs: a [[Myspace]] page, a blog at his official site, another at Honeyee.com, one at [[tumblr]], and a [[photoblog]] at StunningNikon.com. He was particularly prolific on [[Twitter]], where he was noted for authoring his own posts, and he amassed 3.7 million followers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/14/john.mayer.twitter/index.html|title=Mayer to tweet no more |publisher=CNN|access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref><ref name=MandS/> Although his posts often dealt with career-related matters, they also included jokes, videos, photos, and eventually what he called the "maintenance of vapor"—or misguided, personal responses to the media.<ref name=DIEHL/> On January 23, 2008, he posted the quote "There is danger in theoretical speculation of battle, in prejudice, in false reasoning, in pride, in [[wikt:braggadocio|braggadocio]]. There is one safe resource, the return to nature.";{{cref|c}} all the previous blog entries were deleted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmayer.com/blog/john/200801 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102234004/http://www.johnmayer.com/blog/john/200801 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 2, 2008 |title=johnmayer.com |access-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref> On September 14, 2010, he deleted his personal Twitter account.<ref name=DIEHL/>

In the mid-2000s, he did comedy sporadically,<ref name="Daly">Daly, Steven (December 2009), [http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/200912/singer-musician-cover-star-half-of-my-heart-john-mayer?currentPage=6 "John Mayer Thinks With His Pick"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128055033/http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/200912/singer-musician-cover-star-half-of-my-heart-john-mayer?currentPage=6|date=November 28, 2009}}. ''Details''. Retrieved February 8, 2010.</ref> making random appearances at the famed [[Comedy Cellar]] in New York and at other venues.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lehner |first1=Marla |title=John Mayer Performs Raunchy Stand-Up |url=https://people.com/celebrity/john-mayer-performs-raunchy-stand-up/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=May 6, 2022 |date=May 22, 2007}}</ref> He stated that it helped him write better, but that increased media attention made him too careful in his technique.<ref name=RS06/> He has since said he has no plans to return to it.<ref name=patrickdoyle/>

===Watch collector===
Mayer is an avid collector of watches, a pastime that he says keeps him "sane". His collection—which he values in the "tens of millions" of dollars<ref name=wrist/>—includes a [[Patek Philippe & Co.#Most expensive|Patek Philippe with a Sky Moon Tourbillion]], a [[Rolex GMT Master]] 116710 BLNR, and an [[International Watch Company|IWC]] Big Pilot Ref 5002, his signature watch.<ref name=wrist/><ref>Clymer, Benjamin and Holloway, Will (September 25, 2013), [http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/video-talking-watches-with-john-mayer "Talking Watches With John Mayer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164412/http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/video-talking-watches-with-john-mayer |date=April 2, 2015 }}. Hodinkee. Retrieved March 25, 2015.</ref> He has also served as a juror at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, a competition rewarding timepieces that champion the values of [[Swiss made|Swiss-made]] watches<ref name=wrist/> and writes a column for the [[horology]] website [http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/john-mayer-chanel-watch-box Hodinkee].<ref>Williams, Alex (December 20, 2013), [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/fashion/Hodinkee-Wristwatches-Benjamin-Clymer.html "The High Priest of Horology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222012136/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/fashion/Hodinkee-Wristwatches-Benjamin-Clymer.html |date=February 22, 2017 }}. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved March 24, 2015.</ref> In his column for January 16, 2015, he wrote an open letter to the watch brand IWC, encouraging it to "embrace [its] heritage, scale the product line down in terms of model variants, and simplify the design language".<ref>Mayer, John (January 16, 2015), [http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-iwc-from-john-mayer "An Open Letter To IWC, From John Mayer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905113608/http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-iwc-from-john-mayer |date=September 5, 2015 }}. Hodinkee. Retrieved March 24, 2015.</ref> IWC replied, defending the changes they've made over the years, saying, "We have a wonderful past, it is true—but in admiring what we achieved thus far, we hope you will feel encouraged to look forward to what we achieve in the future".<ref>(January 17, 2015), [http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-john-mayer--from-iwc "An Open Letter To John Mayer, From IWC"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503011359/http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/an-open-letter-to-john-mayer--from-iwc |date=May 3, 2015 }}. Hondikee. Retrieved May 4, 2015.</ref>

In March 2024, Mayer was appointed with the title of "Creative Conduit" at [[Audemars Piguet]], to help facilitate the connection between the watch brand and collectors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=As a long-time watch lover, today is a very special moment in my life. |url=https://www.instagram.com/johnmayer/p/C4OSTOiOnPw/?hl=en |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Instagram}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2025}} In addition to the new role, Mayer and AP also announced a new limited-edition collaborative Perpetual Calendar Royal Oak model (Ref. 26574BC.OO.1220BC.02), dubbed the "John Mayer" and designed by its namesake.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartov |first=Oren |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Inside John Mayer's Star-Studded Audemars Piguet Launch Party |url=https://www.gq.com/story/watches-of-the-week-4-20-24 |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=GQ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pener |first=Degen |date=April 18, 2024 |title=John Mayer Designed a New Watch That He Predicts 'Will Outlive Me' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/john-mayer-audemars-piguet-perpetual-calendar-watch-launch-celebrity-guests-1235876452/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter }}</ref> It features a "Crystal Sky" faceted blue dial, a white-gold case and bracelet, and is limited to 200 pieces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kauzlarich |first=Mark |title=Hands-On: The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar John Mayer Limited Edition (Live Pics) |url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/hands-on-john-mayer-audemars-piguet-royal-oak |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Hodinkee }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2024 |title=John Mayer's Collaboration With Audemars Piguet Doesn't Disappoint |url=https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-accessories/a60191174/audemars-piguet-john-mayer-royal-oak-perpetual-calendar/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Esquire }}</ref>

===''Current Mood''===
During an appearance on the ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' show in September 2018, Mayer showed a trailer for his new Instagram Live show.<ref>{{cite AV media | title =John Mayer Debuts Trailer for New Instagram Show | publisher =ABC | location =Los Angeles, California |url=https://abc.go.com/shows/jimmy-kimmel-live/video/featured/VDKA5285132 | access-date =November 12, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113025617/https://abc.go.com/shows/jimmy-kimmel-live/video/featured/VDKA5285132 | archive-date =November 13, 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> The show, entitled ''Current Mood'', debuted on his [[IGTV]] account on Sunday evening on September 30, 2018. Episodes have continued to air on that schedule on a weekly basis.<ref name="Burks">{{cite web |last1=Burks |first1=Tosten |title=Watch Thundercat and John Mayer Perform 'Them Changes' on Instagram |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/10/thundercat-john-mayer-them-changes-instagram/ |website=Spin (magazine)|access-date=November 12, 2018 |date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113025511/https://www.spin.com/2018/10/thundercat-john-mayer-them-changes-instagram/ |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Guests have included [[Maggie Rogers]], [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]], [[B. J. Novak|B.J. Novak]], [[Dave Chappelle]], [[Charlie Puth]], [[Finneas O'Connell|Finneas]], [[Larry David#Personal life|Cazzie David]], and [[Thundercat (musician)|Thundercat]].<ref name="Catucci">{{cite magazine |last1=Catucci |first1=Nick |title=How John Mayer Got a Grip on Fame -- and Intends to Bring 'Truth' Back to Music |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/john-mayer-billboard-cover-story-8483692/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 12, 2018 |date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109035458/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8483692/john-mayer-billboard-cover-story |archive-date=November 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mayer's latest season of ''Current Mood'' began on Sunday November 18, 2019, with guest [[Shawn Mendes]] and surprise feature with [[Camila Cabello]] on his first episode. For Current Mood Mayer coined notable jingles including "Camila Camendes", "CVS Bag", and "Drone Shot of My Yacht".

=== Life with John Mayer ===
In October 2023, Mayer announced a new real-time satellite radio channel on [[Sirius XM]], titled "Life with John Mayer".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing "Life With John Mayer," my new @siriusxm channel launching in November. |url=https://www.instagram.com/johnmayer/p/Cx5iWPXsanY/?hl=en |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Instagram}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Want to listen to music curated by John Mayer 24/7, 365? Good – a new SiriusXM channel is launching for just that |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/john-mayer-life-with-john-mayer-siriusxm-channel/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Guitar.com {{!}} All Things Guitar -GB}}</ref> The year-round channel features music curated by Mayer, including Mayer's classics, collaborations, and never released material, along with selected music from all genres.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=October 2, 2023 |title=John Mayer to Launch a New SiriusXM Channel |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/john-mayer-siriusxm-channel-1235431227/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2024 |title=Meet Sirius XM's new odd couple: Warren Buffett and John Mayer |url=https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20240302277/meet-sirius-xms-new-odd-couple-warren-buffett-and-john-mayer |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=Morningstar, Inc. }}</ref> In November 2024, Mayer began an interview series on the channel called "How's Life," featuring conversations with fellow musicians.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investor.siriusxm.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/2126/john-mayer-to-launch-hows-life-interview-series-on |title=JOHN MAYER TO LAUNCH "HOW'S LIFE" INTERVIEW SERIES ON SIRIUSXM |website=SiriusXM |access-date=December 22, 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222230008/https://investor.siriusxm.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/2126/john-mayer-to-launch-hows-life-interview-series-on |archive-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref> [[Billy Joel]] was the first guest, followed by [[Shawn Mendes]], and [[Maren Morris]].

===Appearances in the media===
In 2004, Mayer hosted a one-shot, half-hour comedy special on [[VH1]] titled ''John Mayer Has a TV Show'', with antics including wearing a bear suit while anonymously teasing concertgoers in the parking lot outside one of his concerts.

[[Image:John Mayer Macworld.jpg|thumb|215px|right|January 2005, left to right: [[David Ryan Harris]], John Mayer and [[Steve Jobs]] at [[Macworld Conference & Expo|Macworld 11]], San Francisco [[Moscone Center]]]]
[[Steve Jobs]] invited Mayer to perform during [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s annual keynote address at the [[Macworld Conference & Expo]] in January 2004 as Jobs introduced the music production software [[GarageBand]].<ref>Deitrich, Andy (February 2, 2004) [https://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/garageband.ars "Making music for the non-musically inclined"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211104948/http://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/garageband.ars |date=December 11, 2008 }}. ''Ars Technica''. Retrieved June 12, 2007.</ref> Mayer became a fixture of the event, including at the 2007 [[iPhone]] announcement.<ref>Krazit, Tom (January 9, 2007). [http://news.cnet.com/Live+Macworld+coverage/2061-10793_3-6148381.html "Live Macworld coverage"]. CNET. Retrieved June 12, 2007.</ref> [[Volkswagen]] concluded a deal with instrument manufacturer [[First Act]] to include a GarageMaster electric guitar that was playable through the stereo system of six of their 2007 models; Mayer (along with [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] and [[Christopher Guest]]) were selected to endorse the campaign and were featured playing the guitar in ads.<ref name=VWR>''Billboard'' staff (October 3, 2006), [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57074/volkswagen-cars-to-feature-first-act-guitars "Volkswagen Cars To Feature First Act Guitars"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403053314/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57074/volkswagen-cars-to-feature-first-act-guitars |date=April 3, 2015 }}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved March 25, 2015.</ref> Mayer used and endorsed the [[BlackBerry|BlackBerry Curve]].

Mayer made many appearances on talk shows and other television programs, most notably on a ''[[Chappelle's Show]]'' comedy skit, the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' and on the final episode of ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]''. Mayer appeared with [[Rob Dyrdek]] in the MTV show ''[[Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory]]''. Mayer wrote the theme song to the [[Oprah Winfrey Network|OWN network]] show ''Rollin' with Zach'', which features [[Zach Anner]].<ref>{{cite web|title='Rollin' With Zach' and 'The Ambush Cook' This December on OWN|url=http://www.oprah.com/pressroom/Rollin-With-Zach-and-The-Ambush-Cook-This-December-on-OWN|website=Oprah|access-date=February 18, 2013 |date=November 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511014345/http://www.oprah.com/pressroom/Rollin-With-Zach-and-The-Ambush-Cook-This-December-on-OWN |archive-date=May 11, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> CBS invited him to guest host ''[[The Late Late Show (American TV series)|The Late Late Show]]'' in early 2015 on three dates, February 4–6, after the retirement of [[Craig Ferguson]].<ref>{{cite web|title=CBS Taps 'The Talk' and Guest Hosts To Fill 'Late Late Show'|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/cbs-taps-the-talk-and-guest-hosts-to-fill-late-late-show-1201365480/|access-date=December 9, 2014|work=Variety|date=November 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210222837/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/cbs-taps-the-talk-and-guest-hosts-to-fill-late-late-show-1201365480/|archive-date=December 10, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> He appeared as a guest star on the fourth episode of the [[Impractical Jokers season 10|tenth season]] of the [[TruTV]] show ''[[Impractical Jokers]]'' in 2023.<ref>{{Citation |last=Jost |first=Casey |title=John Mayer |date=March 2, 2023 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26626081/ |access-date=October 31, 2023 |series=Impractical Jokers |others=James Murray, Brian Quinn, Sal Vulcano}}</ref>

Mayer makes a cameo as a truck driver in the 2014 comedy horror film ''[[Zombeavers]]''.<ref>Zeitchik, Steven (April 21, 2014), "[https://latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-tribeca-2014-zombeavers-movie-sharknado-20140421-story.html "Tribeca 2014: 'Zombeavers,' 'Sharknado's' newest friend"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017085446/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-tribeca-2014-zombeavers-movie-sharknado-20140421-story.html |date=October 17, 2015 }}. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved May 20, 2015.</ref> In the 2015 film ''[[Get Hard]]'', he played a version of himself who is disgusted with the "monetization of the creative process".<ref name=Mallenbaum>Mallenbaum, Carly (March 30, 2015), [http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2015/03/30/john-mayer-cameo-get-hard/ "John Mayer: The king of the cameo"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403023020/http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2015/03/30/john-mayer-cameo-get-hard/ |date=April 3, 2015 }}. USA Today. Retrieved April 9, 2015.</ref> Mayer also had a small role in the 2022 film ''[[Vengeance (2022 film)|Vengeance]]'', playing a friend of the lead character.

==Instruments and equipment==
John Mayer is a guitar collector and has collaborated with elite guitar companies to design his own instruments. He owns over 200 guitars.<ref name=RS06/>

In 2003, [[C. F. Martin & Company|Martin Guitars]] gave Mayer his own signature model acoustic guitar called the OM-28 John Mayer.<ref name=OM-28>(2003). [http://www.harmonycentral.com/news/john-mayer-receives-signature-martin-om-guitar "John Mayer Receives Signature Martin OM Guitar"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153239/http://www.harmonycentral.com/news/john-mayer-receives-signature-martin-om-guitar |date=April 2, 2015 }}. Retrieved January 29, 2007.</ref> The guitar was limited to a run of only 404, an Atlanta area code.<ref name=martin>''Sounding Board Newsletter'' contributor (2003) [http://www.martinguitar.com/model/item/1259-john-mayer-signature-om.html "John Mayer Signature OM"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112812/http://www.martinguitar.com/model/item/1259-john-mayer-signature-om.html |date=April 2, 2015 }} Martin Guitar. Retrieved March 25, 2015</ref> This model was followed by the release of two [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] signature [[Fender Stratocaster|Stratocaster]] electric guitars, beginning in 2005. A third Stratocaster, finished in charcoal frost metallic paint with a racing stripe, was also a limited-release, with only 100 guitars made. In January 2006, Martin Guitars released the Martin OMJM John Mayer acoustic guitar. The guitar was intended to have many of the attributes of the Martin OM-28 John Mayer but with a more affordable price tag.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fretbase.com/fretbase/2008/08/john-mayers-sig.html |title=Fretbase, John Mayer's Signature Acoustic Guitar – the Martin OMJM (2008) |website=Fretbase.com |date=August 4, 2008 |access-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023154758/http://www.fretbase.com/fretbase/2008/08/john-mayers-sig.html |archive-date=October 23, 2008 }}</ref> In August 2006, Fender started manufacturing SERIES II John Mayer Stratocasters.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

In January 2007, Two Rock collaborated with Mayer on custom-designed amps. Only 25 (all signed by Mayer himself) were made available to the public,<ref>[http://two-rock.com/products/mayer "John Mayer Signature"] Two-Rock. Retrieved May 10, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502014433/http://two-rock.com/products/mayer |date=May 2, 2007 }}</ref> along with a 500-run John Mayer signature Fender Stratocaster in Cypress-Mica. Included in the limited Cypress-Mica model was the INCSvsJM [[gig bag]], on which Mayer collaborated on the in-case designs. In 2006, Mayer was estimated to have more than 200 guitars in his personal collection.<ref name=RS06/>
[[File:John Mayer in Cleveland.jpg|thumb|Mayer playing his signature Black1 Stratocaster in 2008]]
John Mayer's most iconic guitar is the "Black1". Conceived after the [[Heavier Things]] tour, Mayer went to Fender Custom Shop with the desire to build a guitar.<ref name=micktaylor/> He was inspired by guitars of famous players the likes of [[Rory Gallagher]] and [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]].<ref name="youtube.com">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/gLMnWxw1Qpg Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130811004456/http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=gLMnWxw1Qpg&rl=yes&hl=en&gl=US&client=mv-google&guid= Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLMnWxw1Qpg |title=John Mayer - Black One Story |via=[[YouTube]] |date=January 5, 2012 |access-date=May 2, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He sought out masterbuilder John Cruz to help devise the design. In essence, Mayer wanted an all-black version of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "First Wife" Stratocaster.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/luCzeNjs7rE Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200219141750/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luCzeNjs7rE&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luCzeNjs7rE |title=Fender Custom Shop Road Show With John Cruz - John Mayer |via=YouTube |date=December 3, 2015 |access-date=May 2, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The guitar is heavily "relic'd" to specs very similar to the guitar used by Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Black1 includes a mint pickguard, custom wound pickups, gold hardware, and gold tuners from the SRV Tribute Stratocaster. It was the principal guitar on the ''Continuum'' album. It was notably used on tracks such as "I Don't Trust Myself With Loving You", and "Bold as Love".<ref name="youtube.com"/> The Black1 has become a trademark to Mayer's music.

The [[Fender Custom Shop]] made a limited run of 83 replica Black1 Stratocasters, all of which were sold within 24 hours.<ref>{{cite web |last=Laing |first=Rob |url=http://www.musicradar.com/guitarist/fender-custom-shop-john-mayer-black1-340224 |title=Fender Custom Shop John Mayer BLACK1 |work=[[MusicRadar]] |date=December 21, 2010 |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227013052/http://www.musicradar.com/guitarist/fender-custom-shop-john-mayer-black1-340224 |archive-date=February 27, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Each one was carefully [[Relic'ing|relic'd]] by John Cruz. In 2010, Fender announced a production model of Mayer's Black1 guitar.<ref name=micktaylor>Taylor, Mick (May 21, 2010), [http://www.musicradar.com/us/guitarist/john-mayer-interview-251957 "John Mayer interview"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404230439/http://www.musicradar.com/us/guitarist/john-mayer-interview-251957 |date=April 4, 2015 }}. ''Music Radar''. March 29, 2015.</ref> Un-relic'd production versions of the guitar were produced for a limited run of 500 worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mike Duffy |url=http://www2.fender.com/experience/fender-tone/introducing-the-john-mayer-special-edition-black1-stratocaster-guitar/ |title=Introducing the John Mayer Special Edition BLACK1 Stratocaster® Guitar &#124; Fender Tone |website=Fender.com |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515184339/http://www2.fender.com/experience/fender-tone/introducing-the-john-mayer-special-edition-black1-stratocaster-guitar/ |archive-date=May 15, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, full production signature Stratocasters were produced in three-tone sunburst and Olympic White finishes.

In 2014, John Mayer announced that he was no longer a Fender Artist.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reverb.com/news/john-mayer-announces-split-with-fender |title=John Mayer Announces Split with Fender |website=Reverb.com |date=October 17, 2014 |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827125726/https://reverb.com/news/john-mayer-announces-split-with-fender |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, his signature line of guitars was pulled from production. In 2015, Mayer announced that he was collaborating with [[PRS Guitars]]. In March 2016, Mayer and PRS revealed their collaborative project, the Super Eagle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prsguitars.com/supereagle/ |title=PRS Guitars Private Stock Super Eagle |website=PRS Guitars |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430172057/http://www.prsguitars.com/supereagle/ |archive-date=April 30, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was a limited release from PRS's Private Stock line of instruments and each guitar features ultra-grade woods, abalone inlay, JCF Audio preamps, and a hand-signed sticker by glass-artist [[David Adrian Smith|David Smith]]. Only 100 were produced, each retailing for over $10,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=John Mayer's PRS Private Stock Super Eagle guitar takes flight |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/john-mayers-prs-private-stock-super-eagle-guitar-takes-flight-635835 |last=Astley-Brown |first=Michael |date=March 15, 2016 |work=[[MusicRadar]]}}</ref> In January 2017 at the [[NAMM Show]], PRS and Mayer announced the J-MOD 100 signature amp.<ref>{{cite web|title=J-MOD 100|url=http://www.prsguitars.com/amplifiers/jmod/j_mod_100_2018/|website=PRS Guitars|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419183236/http://www.prsguitars.com/amplifiers/jmod/j_mod_100_2018/|archive-date=April 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=NAMM 2017: PRS and John Mayer Announce J-MOD 100 Signature Amp|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/namm-2017-prs-and-john-mayer-announce-j-mod-100-signature-amp |magazine=Guitar World|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207003116/https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/namm-2017-prs-and-john-mayer-announce-j-mod-100-signature-amp|archive-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2017, the Super Eagle II was revealed, limited to 120 instruments.<ref>{{cite web |title=PRS Guitars Private Stock Super Eagle II|url=https://prsguitars.com/supereagle2/|website=PRS Guitars|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419003031/http://prsguitars.com/supereagle2/|archive-date=April 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=PRS Guitars Announces John Mayer Limited Edition Private Stock Super Eagle II|url=http://americansongwriter.com/2017/06/prs-guitars-announces-john-mayer-limited-edition-private-stock-super-eagle-ii/ |magazine=American Songwriter|access-date=June 7, 2017|date=June 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719072101/https://americansongwriter.com/2017/06/prs-guitars-announces-john-mayer-limited-edition-private-stock-super-eagle-ii/|archive-date=July 19, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2018, Martin Guitar announced the limited-release (45 instruments) John Mayer Signature D-45, with list price $14,999.<ref>{{cite web|title=D-45 John Mayer |url=https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/custom-signature-editions/d-45-john-mayer/|website=martinguitar.com|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419140633/https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/custom-signature-editions/d-45-john-mayer/|archive-date=April 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Announces High-End John Mayer Signature D-45|date=January 4, 2018 |url=https://reverb.com/news/martin-announces-high-end-john-mayer-signature-d-45 |publisher=Reverb|access-date=January 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419120637/https://reverb.com/news/martin-announces-high-end-john-mayer-signature-d-45 |archive-date=April 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2018, Mayer's signature [[PRS Silver Sky|Silver Sky]] model was released by PRS, available in four colors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Silver Sky |url=https://prsguitars.com/electrics/bolton/silver_sky |website=PRS Guitars |access-date=April 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419183247/https://prsguitars.com/electrics/bolton/silver_sky |archive-date=April 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=PRS Guitars Announces New John Mayer Signature Model: The Silver Sky |url=http://americansongwriter.com/2018/03/prs-guitars-announces-new-john-mayer-signature-model-silver-sky/ |magazine=American Songwriter |access-date=March 6, 2018 |date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314062136/http://americansongwriter.com/2018/03/prs-guitars-announces-new-john-mayer-signature-model-silver-sky/ |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> While ''Music Trade'' called the Silver Sky "derivative", it said that all the elements were "designed from the ground up" and built with "attention to detail".<ref name="gaining">{{cite journal |title=WHY PRS IS GAINING SHARE IN THE GUITAR MARKET |journal=Music Trades |date=October 2018 |volume=116 |issue=9 |pages=56–62}}</ref> While acknowledging its similarity to a Stratocaster, Matt Blackett of ''Guitar Player'' magazine ultimately said, "The Silver Sky absolutely delivers on the promise of being a damn-near-perfect version of this type of guitar." The magazine named its "Editor's Pick".<ref name="blackett">{{cite journal|last1=Blackett |first1=MATT |date=July 2018|title=Silver Sky John Mayer Signature|journal=Guitar Player |volume=52|issue=7|pages=88–89 |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/prs-sliver-sky-john-mayer-signature |access-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref>

Mayer owns multiple [[Dumble Amplifiers|Dumble]] amplifiers, a highly exclusive brand of amps that only a handful of guitarists—including [[Kenny Wayne Shepherd]], [[Robben Ford]], and [[Carlos Santana]]—are known to play on a regular basis.<ref name="Owen">{{cite web |last1=Owen |first1=Matt |title=John Mayer owns the Dumble amp that Stevie Ray Vaughan used to record Texas Flood |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/john-mayer-stevie-ray-vaughan-texas-flood-dumble-amp |website=guitarworld.com |date=March 17, 2022 |publisher=Guitar World |access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>  In particular, Mayer owns the Dumbleland Special model used by Stevie Ray Vaughan to record his album ''[[Texas Flood]]''.  He used this amp during his performance for Vaughan's induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], which he called a "special thing".<ref name="Owen"/>  For his album ''Sob Rock'', Mayer recorded with a [[Fractal Audio Systems|Fractal]] Axe-Fx digital [[amplifier modeler|amp modeler]] alongside his Dumble amps.<ref name="Breathnach">{{cite web |last1=Breathnach |first1=Cillian |title=John Mayer on digital modelling: "If somebody had walked a Fractal into the Thriller sessions, you would have heard it all over that record" |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/john-mayer-dumble-fractal-sob-rock-thriller-1980s/ |work=Guitar Magazine |access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref>  Mayer has been credited for renewing industry interest in the [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall]] [[List of distortion pedals#Marshall Bluesbreaker|Bluesbreaker]] overdrive pedal after he started using one for live performances.  While unpopular during its brief production run in the early 1990s, the attention generated by Mayer's use of the Bluesbreaker led to Marshall reissuing the entire line of [[effects pedals]] it was part of.<ref name="Purvis">{{cite web |last1=Purvis |first1=Richard |title=Marshall BluesBreaker review: can this much-copied drive pedal pick up right where it left off? |url=https://guitar.com/reviews/effects-pedal/marshall-bluesbreaker-review/ |work=Guitar Magazine |access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref>

==Reception==
Mayer was featured on the cover of ''Rolling Stone'' (No. 1020) in February 2007, along with [[John Frusciante]] and [[Derek Trucks]], in an issue lauding the "New Guitar Gods". The cover nicknamed him Slowhand Jr., a reference to Eric Clapton.<ref name=RSGG/> Critics, however, often pointed to how safe they felt Mayer's music was. Chris Richards, in a review of a 2017 concert, declared Mayer is "an amazing guitar player", albeit doing so "through clenched teeth". Richards went on to say that his talent as a guitarist did not make him exempt from criticism of "his pillow-soft songcraft, the dull sentimentality of his lyrics, or that cuckoo-racist interview he gave to Playboy back in 2010".<ref name="richards">{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Chris |title=He's a stellar guitarist, but his songs are staid |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 7, 2017}}</ref> Music writer Steve Baltin commented on this dichotomy, saying that Mayer is "one of the sharpest and savviest musical minds you will ever encounter", and added: "While many have found reasons to dislike Mayer since the beginning of his career, he is a consummate musician's musician, an artist who has been embraced by Eric Clapton, [[Stevie Wonder]] and Buddy Guy among others."<ref name="baltin">{{cite web |last1=Baltin |first1=Steve |title=Why John Mayer Is Music's Forgotten Superstar |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2017/04/22/why-john-mayer-is-musics-forgotten-superstar/ |website=Forbes |access-date=October 16, 2018 |date=April 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016083518/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2017/04/22/why-john-mayer-is-musics-forgotten-superstar/ |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mayer's inclusion in the line-up of Dead & Company was criticised by [[Chris Robinson (singer)|Chris Robinson]] of [[The Black Crowes]], who had previously played several shows with The Grateful Dead. Speaking during an interview with [[Howard Stern]], Robinson was quoted as saying that "everything that [[Jerry Garcia]] ever talked about or stood for, John Mayer is the antithesis", and that while "Jerry was one of the most unique musicians in the world [...] here's John Mayer playing everyone else's licks".<ref name="leenewcomb">{{cite web |last1=Lee Newcomb |first1=Ming |title=Chris Robinson Had Some Harsh Words For Both John Mayer And His Brother On Howard Stern |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/chris-robinson-howard-stern/ |website=L4LM |access-date=October 16, 2018 |date=May 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016164929/https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/chris-robinson-howard-stern/ |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, Mayer said in an interview with ''Rolling Stone'' that he "care[s] about this band too much to give that [comment] life", and that he was "done debating [his] own merits".<ref name="ming">{{cite web |last1=Lee Newcomb |first1=Ming |title=John Mayer Addresses Chris Robinson's Criticisms In New Interview |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/john-mayer-chris-robinsons-criticisms/ |website=L4LM |access-date=October 16, 2018 |date=June 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016164918/https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/john-mayer-chris-robinsons-criticisms/ |archive-date=October 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Personal life ==

On his third episode of ''Current Mood'', Mayer revealed he had been sober since 2016.<ref name=Catucci /> He stopped drinking after having what he says was a six-day hangover after [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]'s 30th birthday party.<ref name="drake">{{cite web |last1= Michaud |first1= Sarah |title= John Mayer Quit Drinking After Making 'Quite a Fool of Myself' at Drake's 30th Birthday Party |url=https://people.com/music/john-mayer-quit-drinking-after-drake-birthday-party/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=November 27, 2018 |date=November 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127195233/https://people.com/music/john-mayer-quit-drinking-after-drake-birthday-party/ |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mayer maintains close relationships with his father and siblings and embraces a domestic role when he is not on tour.<ref>{{cite web|last=Savino|first=Jessi|title=John Mayer Talks Life on the Road, Latest Album |url=https://huntnewsnu.com/5513/campus/john-mayer-talks-life-on-the-road-latest-album/|website=[[The Huntington News]]|access-date=July 19, 2022|date=February 3, 2007}}</ref>

In March 2014, Mayer sued watch dealer Robert Maron for $656,000 when he discovered that seven of the $5 million in watches he purchased from the dealer contained counterfeit parts.<ref>''People'' staff (March 29, 2014), "THE Action". ''Billboard''. '''126''' (11):3</ref><ref>James (March 20, 2014), [http://www.theversatilegent.com/the-horology-world-holds-its-breath-over-john-mayer-fake-watch-story/ "The Horology World Holds Its BreathOver John Mayer Fake Watch Story"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181736/http://www.theversatilegent.com/the-horology-world-holds-its-breath-over-john-mayer-fake-watch-story/|date=April 2, 2015}}. Retrieved March 24, 2015.</ref> He dropped the action in May 2015, releasing a statement that asserted that research restored his "belief that Bob Maron is an expert on Rolex watches and confirmed that Bob Maron never sold him a counterfeit watch."<ref name="WOLF">{{cite web |last1=WOLF |first1=CAMERON |date=May 21, 2015 |title=John Mayer Admits He Was Wrong About Potentially Fake $600,000 Rolex Collection |url=https://www.complex.com/style/2015/05/john-mayer-drops-fake-rolex-lawsuit |access-date=June 23, 2019 |website=Complex}}</ref>

Mayer was a friend of the late comedian and actor [[Bob Saget]], and when Saget unexpectedly died in an [[Orlando, Florida]], hotel room in January 2022, Mayer had Saget's body flown back to [[Los Angeles]] on a private jet.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.etonline.com/john-mayer-paid-for-a-private-plane-to-fly-bob-sagets-body-to-california-after-his-death-in-florida | title=John Mayer Paid for a Private Plane to Fly Bob Saget's Body to California After His Death in Florida &#124; Entertainment Tonight | date=January 20, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://people.com/tv/john-mayer-paid-for-private-plane-to-fly-bob-sagets-body-to-california-after-his-death-in-florida/ | title=John Mayer Paid for Private Plane to Fly Bob Saget's Body to California After His Death in Florida | newspaper=People }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/john-mayer-covered-cost-of-private-plane-to-transport-bob-saget-body-to-california | title=John Mayer Covered Cost of Private Plane to Transport Bob Saget's Body to California | website=[[Complex Networks]] }}</ref> Likewise, he and [[Jeff Ross]] retrieved Saget's car, which was parked at [[Los Angeles International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Travis |first1=Emily |title=How John Mayer Helped Return Bob Saget's Body to California After His Death |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1317021/how-john-mayer-helped-return-bob-sagets-body-to-california-after-his-death |publisher=E! |access-date=July 22, 2022 |date=January 20, 2022}}</ref>

=== Relationships ===
<!--Please do not add any relationships to this section without a reliable source to verify it.-->
Mayer has been romantically involved with [[Jennifer Love Hewitt]],<ref name="contactmusic"/> [[Jessica Simpson]],<ref name=InsiderEmbarrased>{{Cite web |last=Peppin |first=Hayley |title=Jessica Simpson said she was 'floored and embarrassed' after John Mayer called her 'sexual napalm' |url=https://www.insider.com/jessica-simpson-was-floored-after-john-mayer-called-her-sexual-napalm-2020-1 |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=Insider}}</ref> [[Minka Kelly]],<ref name=eastland>{{cite magazine |last=Eastland |first=Terry |url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/john-mayer-admits-i-was-a-jerk/article/2520919 |title=John Mayer admits: 'I was a jerk' |magazine=Washington Examiner |date= February 7, 2013 |access-date=August 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019092027/http://washingtonexaminer.com/john-mayer-admits-i-was-a-jerk/article/2520919 |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Jennifer Aniston]],<ref>{{cite news| title= Jennifer Aniston ended relationship with John Mayer because of his Twitter 'obsession' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/5038203/Jennifer-Aniston-ended-relationship-with-John-Mayer-because-of-his-Twitter-obsession.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=February 10, 2017|date=March 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130101353/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/5038203/Jennifer-Aniston-ended-relationship-with-John-Mayer-because-of-his-Twitter-obsession.html|archive-date=January 30, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Katy Perry]],<ref name=RedHarper>{{cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Laura|title=Lady In Red: Katy Perry|url= https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a3480/katy-perry-interview-1014/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418183710/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a3480/katy-perry-interview-1014/|url-status=live|magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]]|date=September 10, 2014|access-date=September 17, 2025|archive-date=April 18, 2025}}</ref> and [[Taylor Swift]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/music/taylor-swift-john-mayer-relationship-timeline/|title=Taylor Swift and John Mayer's Relationship: A Look Back|last=Dodd|first=Sophie|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=July 6, 2023|access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref>

Mayer's relationship with Jessica Simpson coincided with behavior changes that significantly increased his [[tabloid journalism|tabloid]] exposure.<ref name="Playboy" /><ref name="Mather" /><ref name="ownwordsone">{{cite magazine |date=January 22, 2010 |title=John Mayer in His Own Words |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-in-his-own-words-20100122 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827131048/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-in-his-own-words-20100122 |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |access-date=March 25, 2015 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Early in his career, he had expressed his resolve to completely avoid drugs, alcohol, [[Nightclub|clubbing]], "[[Red carpet|red-carpet]]" events, dating celebrities, and anything that he felt would detract the focus from his music.<ref name="guthrie">{{cite news |last=Guthrie |first=Blake |date=May 16, 2001 |title=Square pegged |url=https://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/content-159632-Square-pegged |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204095109/http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A4733 |archive-date=February 4, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2010 |work=Creative Loafing}}</ref> In later interviews Mayer alluded to experiencing an extreme "anxiety bender" episode in his twenties that motivated him to be less reclusive.<ref name="Hedegaard" /><ref name="Mather" /> In 2006, he first mentioned that he had begun using [[marijuana]].<ref name="RS06" /> He began making appearances at clubs in Los Angeles and New York City, and Simpson became the first in a string of famous girlfriends, including [[Jennifer Aniston]] and [[Minka Kelly]].<ref name="eastland" /> By 2007, his personal life had become regular fodder for the [[Tabloid journalism|gossip media]] and, as a result, Mayer made efforts to control his public image. His online presence increased,{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} he began to stage pranks for the paparazzi,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Garcia |first=Jennifer |date=June 15, 2009 |title=John Mayer Performs, Fakes Pal's Hospital Trip |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20285171,00.html |journal=People |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907005741/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20285171,00.html |archive-date=September 7, 2015 |access-date=April 28, 2015}}</ref> and he hosted a segment for the gossip show ''[[TMZ]]''.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 5, 2008 |title=John Mayer TMZ Video: 'Am I Really A Celebrity?' |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/28/john-mayer-guest-hosts-tm_n_115406.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121122/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/28/john-mayer-guest-hosts-tm_n_115406.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=March 19, 2015 |work=HuffPost}}</ref>

{{quote box
| width = 350px
| align = right
| quote = I abused that ability to express myself, to the point where I was expressing things that weren't true to my thoughts.<ref name=patrickdoyle />
| source = John Mayer, ''Rolling Stone'' interview, January 2013
}}

In early 2010, Mayer gave a controversial interview to ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine<ref name="outrage">{{cite news |date=February 10, 2010 |title=John Mayer's Playboy Interview Causes Uproar Online |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1631667/john-mayers-playboy-interview-causes-uproar-online.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629112033/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1631667/john-mayers-playboy-interview-causes-uproar-online.jhtml |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=July 24, 2012 |publisher=MTV News}}</ref> in which he revealed sexually explicit details about his former girlfriends Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston—calling his relationship with the former "sexual napalm".<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2010 |title=John Mayer: Jessica Simpson Is "Sexual Napalm," Jennifer Aniston Hates Twitter |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/john-mayer-jessica-simpso_n_456566 |access-date=September 16, 2021 |website=HuffPost}}</ref><ref name=InsiderEmbarrased/> In response to a question about whether black women were interested in him, he said, "My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a [[Benetton Group|Benetton]] heart and a fuckin' [[David Duke]] cock. I'm going to start dating separately from my dick."<ref name="Playboy" /> He also used the word "[[nigger]]" in the interview. This set off accusations in the media of him being a [[Misogyny|misogynist]], [[wikt:kiss-and-tell|kiss-and-tell]] ex-boyfriend, and [[Racism|racist]].<ref>Herrera, Monica (February 10, 2010). [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959433/john-mayers-sexually-racially-charged-playboy-interview-sparks-outrage "John Mayer's Sexually, Racially Charged Playboy Interview Sparks Outrage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219085115/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959433/john-mayers-sexually-racially-charged-playboy-interview-sparks-outrage|date=February 19, 2013}}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved February 10, 2010.</ref> He apologized via Twitter for his use of the word "nigger", saying, "It was arrogant of me to think I could intellectualize ... a word that is so emotionally charged".<ref>Herrera, Monica (February 10, 2010), [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959424/john-mayer-apologizes-for-using-racial-slur-in-playboy-interview "Playboy Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705104645/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959424/john-mayer-apologizes-for-using-racial-slur-in-playboy-interview|date=July 5, 2015}}. ''Billboard''. Retrieved March 23, 2015.</ref> He also tearfully apologized to his band and fans at his concert in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] later that night.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x765IhCvnqg |title=John Mayer Cries/Apologizes in Nashville, TN 10 February 2010 Sommet Center |date=February 10, 2010 |medium=Concert footage |access-date=March 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017085446/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x765IhCvnqg |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the following two years, he left New York and retreated from the media.<ref name="sniping" /> Reflecting on that time in a May 2012 episode of ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'', he said: <blockquote>"I lost my head for a little while and I did a couple of dumb interviews and it kind of woke me up...It was a violent crash into being an adult. For a couple of years, it was just figuring it all out, and I'm glad I actually stayed out of the spotlight."<ref name="ellen" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Chen |first=Joyce |date=May 15, 2012 |title=John Mayer: 'I lost my head for a while' |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-05-15/news/31714265_1_john-mayer-spotlight-interviews |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028212158/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-05-15/news/31714265_1_john-mayer-spotlight-interviews |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |work=Daily News |location=New York}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Koonse |first=Emma |date=May 16, 2012 |title=John Mayer 'Lost His Head' 2 Years Ago |url=http://global.christianpost.com/news/john-mayer-lost-his-head-2-years-ago-75026/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406091215/http://global.christianpost.com/news/john-mayer-lost-his-head-2-years-ago-75026/ |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |work=The Christian Post}}</ref></blockquote>

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performed vocals for the song "[[Half of My Heart]]" on Mayer's November 2009 album ''[[Battle Studies (album)|Battle Studies]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=November 6, 2009 |title=John Mayer Talks Taylor Swift Collaboration 'Half of My Heart' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625724/john-mayer-talks-taylor-swift-collaboration-half-my-heart.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414193121/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1625724/john-mayer-talks-taylor-swift-collaboration-half-my-heart.jhtml |archive-date=April 14, 2012 |access-date=June 11, 2012 |publisher=MTV}}</ref> Rumors began to circulate in the media that the two were a couple, an assertion that neither addressed. However, Swift released a song called "[[Dear John (Taylor Swift song)|Dear John]]" in 2010, which was widely believed to be about her relationship with him. In June 2012, Mayer criticized the song, saying she never contacted him and that "it's abusing your talent to rub your hands together and go, 'Wait till he gets a load of this!{{' "}}<ref>{{cite magazine |date=June 11, 2012 |title=John Mayer: Taylor Swift's 'Dear John' Song 'Humiliated Me' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-taylor-swifts-dear-john-song-humiliated-me-20120606 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623203359/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-mayer-taylor-swifts-dear-john-song-humiliated-me-20120606 |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2012 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> The song "Paper Doll" was reported to be a [[answer song|response]].<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Julie Miller |date=June 19, 2013 |title=Photos: Five Reasons to Think Taylor Swift Is John Mayer's "Paper Doll" |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/06/taylor-swift-paper-doll-photos_slideshow_item0_1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806084246/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/06/taylor-swift-paper-doll-photos_slideshow_item0_1 |archive-date=August 6, 2013 |access-date=August 9, 2013 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref> In the March 21, 2019, episode of ''Current Mood'', however, Mayer said: <blockquote>"When 'Paper Doll' came out, 100% of the people believed it was about somebody. ... But the song was not about that person and I could never tell anybody, 'That's not true,' because then I would be breaking my rule that songwriters don't say who the songs are about or not about."<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Current Mood from Brisbane, Australia—John Mayer World Tour 2019 |date=March 21, 2019 |medium=webshow |publisher=Instagram |location=Brisbane, Australia |time=23m40s |people=John Mayer}}</ref></blockquote>

While in a relationship with Katy Perry, Mayer recorded and co-wrote a duet with her titled "[[Who You Love]]" for his album ''[[Paradise Valley (album)|Paradise Valley]]''. The song was released on August 12, 2013.<ref>"Who You Love" with John Mayer:

* {{cite magazine |last=Danton |first=Eric R. |date=August 13, 2013 |title=Listen to John Mayer's 'Paradise Valley' Now |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-to-john-mayers-paradise-valley-now-20130813 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816040801/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-to-john-mayers-paradise-valley-now-20130813 |archive-date=August 16, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2013 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}
* {{cite web |last=Gicas |first=Peter |date=February 26, 2014 |title=Katy Perry and John Mayer: Inside Their Relationship's Ups and Downs |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/514908/katy-perry-and-john-mayer-inside-their-relationship-ups-and-downs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912053154/http://www.eonline.com/news/514908/katy-perry-and-john-mayer-inside-their-relationship-ups-and-downs |archive-date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=August 25, 2014 |publisher=E!}}
* {{cite web |date=December 3, 2013 |title=Lovers Mayer and Perry release duet artwork |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/20133452/lovers-mayer-and-perry-release-duet-artwork/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610224737/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/20133452/lovers-mayer-and-perry-release-duet-artwork/ |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=June 9, 2015 |publisher=Yahoo! News}}</ref> The cover for the single was revealed amongst a photo shoot of the couple shot by [[Mario Sorrenti]] for ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' magazine.<ref name="VanityFair">{{cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Julie |title=Exclusive: John Mayer and Katy Perry's First Portraits Together, Commemorating Their "Who You Love" Single |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/12/john-mayer-katy-perry-who-you-love-artwork_slideshow_item4_5 |access-date=3 December 2013 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref> They performed the song together at [[Barclays Center]] in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]] on December 17, 2013, which was the last night of Mayer's ''[[Born and Raised World Tour]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Maresca |first=Rachel |date=December 18, 2013 |title=Katy Perry joins John Mayer on stage for first-ever live performance of 'Who You Love' |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/katy-perry-joins-john-mayer-stage-first-ever-live-performance-love-duet-article-1.1551571 |access-date=December 23, 2013 |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref> Their relationship ended in 2014.<ref name=RedHarper/>

=== Philanthropy ===
In 2002, Mayer created the "Back to You" Fund, a nonprofit organization that focuses on fundraising in the areas of health care, education, the arts and talent development. The foundation auctions exclusive John Mayer items, such as guitar picks, T-shirts and signed CDs. The auctions have been successful, with some tickets selling for more than 17 times their face value.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20021126081714/http://www.johnmayerauction.com/ The Official John Mayer Auction Site]}}, John Mayer Auction. Retrieved April 23, 2007. </ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businesshere.com/jmayer_success.htm |title= John Mayer| work= Business Here| access-date= April 23, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204233903/http://www.businesshere.com/jmayer_success.htm |archive-date= February 4, 2007 }}</ref>

Mayer participated at the [[Live Earth concert, New York City|East Rutherford, New Jersey]], location of the [[Live Earth]] project, a musical rally to support awareness for [[climate change]] held July 7, 2007.<ref>{{cite news| last= Kilgore| first= Kim |year= 2007|url=http://www.livedaily.com/news/More_cities_added_to_John_Mayers_itinerary-11983.html|title= More cities added to John Mayer's itinerary| access-date= May 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215114914/http://www.livedaily.com/news/More_cities_added_to_John_Mayers_itinerary-11983.html?t=1 |archive-date=February 15, 2009 }}</ref>

Mayer performed at a number of benefits and telethons for charity throughout his career. He has participated in benefits for the [[Elton John AIDS Foundation]].<ref>{{cite journal| last= Adato| first= Allison| display-authors= 1 | date= April 7, 2003| title= Sweet Charity| journal= People | author2= other| volume= 59| number= 13| page= 87}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last= Gardner| first= Elysa |date= November 4, 2005| title= Celebrities share Elton John's vision| work= USA Today}}</ref> In response to the [[Virginia Tech shooting]], Mayer (along with [[Dave Matthews Band]], [[Phil Vassar]], and [[Nas]]) performed a free concert at Virginia Tech's [[Lane Stadium]] on September 6, 2007.<ref name=vt.edu>{{cite web| website= VT.edu| publisher= Virginia Tech | date= August 1, 2006|url=http://www.vt.edu/concert/ |title= A Concert For Virginia Tech| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823205848/http://www.vt.edu/concert/ |archive-date= August 23, 2007 }}</ref> followed by an appearance with [[Rob Thomas (musician)|Rob Thomas]] at the Annual Holiday Concert at [[Blythedale Children's Hospital]] in Valhalla that winter.<ref>{{cite news| date= January 7, 2008| title= Fly on the wall| work= Westchester County Business Journal| volume= 47| number= 1| page= 38}}</ref> On December 8, 2007, Mayer hosted the first annual Charity Revue, a tradition he has continued each year. Charities who have benefited from the concerts include [[Toys for Tots]], Inner City Arts and the Los Angeles Mission.<ref name=announce>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmayer.com/news#4 |title= New Show: 1st Annual Holiday Charity Revue on December 8 at Nokia Theatre LA Live| last= Mayer| first= John | website= JohnMayer.com | publisher= John Mayer| date= November 14, 2007| access-date= December 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226035537/http://johnmayer.com/news#4| archive-date=December 26, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> CDs and DVDs of the first concert were released as ''Where the Light Is'' in July 2008.<ref name="RS where the light is"/><ref name="billboard blackberry"/> Mayer appeared on ''[[Songs for Tibet: The Art of Peace]]'', a celebrity initiative to support [[Tibet]] and the 14th [[Dalai Lama]], [[14th Dalai Lama|Tenzin Gyatso]].<ref>{{cite news| last= Finn| first= Natalie | date= July 22, 2008|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/3342/sting-matthews-mayer-gamer-for-tibet-than-beijing |title= Sting, Matthews, Mayer Gamer for Tibet Than Beijing| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403093555/http://www.eonline.com/news/3342/sting-matthews-mayer-gamer-for-tibet-than-beijing |archive-date= April 3, 2015 |publisher=E!| access-date= March 25, 2015}}</ref> Mayer (along with Keith Urban) headlined Tiger Jam 2011 in Las Vegas to help raise around $750,000 for the [[Tiger Woods Foundation]].<ref>{{cite press release| date= May 2, 2011| title= John Mayer, Keith Urban Help Tiger Woods Raise Approximately $750,000 for the Tiger Woods Foundation at the 2011 Tiger Jam| agency= PR Newswire}}</ref> In January 2013, Mayer participated with [[Zac Brown Band|Zac Brown]] in a benefit concert in [[Bozeman, Montana]] where they raised more than $100,000 for firefighters who battled a wildfire in the summer of 2012 in [[Paradise Valley (Montana)|Paradise Valley]] that destroyed 12,000 acres.<ref name= "benefitconcert"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Benoit|first=Zach|title=Pine Creek fire at 12,000 acres; at least 5 homes lost |url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/pine-creek-fire-at-acres-at-least-homes-lost/article_d8f8826d-beb7-5fbf-a43b-b76efa505246.html| work=Billings Gazette |access-date=February 18, 2013 |date=August 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704031555/http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/pine-creek-fire-at-acres-at-least-homes-lost/article_d8f8826d-beb7-5fbf-a43b-b76efa505246.html|archive-date=July 4, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, John established a scholarship fund honoring his father Richard's 90th birthday. The fund provides 4-year college scholarships to Bridgeport public high school seniors pursuing education degrees (teaching or administration). Recipients must demonstrate community service leadership, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and have financial need.<ref>{{Cite web |last=C |date=2017-10-16 |title=Musician John Mayer Gives His Dad A Gift That Will Keep On Giving |url=https://fccfoundation.org/musician-john-mayer-gives-dad-gift-will-keep-giving/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Fairfield County's Community Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>

On March 1, 2019, Mayer established the Heart and Armor Foundation in support of veterans of war.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heartandarmor.org/|title=Heart And Armor Foundation|website=Heartandarmor.org}}</ref> He has been actively involved in initiatives to help returning veterans for about 12 years.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Jon |last=Blistein |date=March 1, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/john-mayer-heart-and-armor-foundation-veterans-802243/ |title=John Mayer Launches Heart and Armor Foundation to Aid Veterans |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=March 2, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/03/02/john-mayer-launches-foundation-focused-improving-veterans-health/3039035002/ |title=John Mayer Launches Foundation Focused on Improving the Health Of Veterans |work= USA Today |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Michaud |date=March 1, 2019 |url=https://people.com/music/john-mayer-launches-heart-and-armor-foundation/ |title=John Mayer Launches Heart and Armor Foundation: 'We Can All Do a Better Job of Sharing the Burden' |website=People |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|John Mayer discography}}

* ''[[Room for Squares]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Heavier Things]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Continuum (John Mayer album)|Continuum]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Battle Studies (album)|Battle Studies]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Born and Raised (John Mayer album)|Born and Raised]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Paradise Valley (album)|Paradise Valley]]'' (2013)
* ''[[The Search for Everything]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Sob Rock]]'' (2021)

== Awards and nominations ==

=== Grammy Awards ===
Mayer has won seven awards from nineteen nominations.<ref name=Grammyverification/>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
|-
! Year
! Awardee
! Category
! Result
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[45th Grammy Awards|2003]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Himself
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| "[[Your Body Is a Wonderland]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance|Best Male Pop Vocal Performance]]
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[47th Grammy Awards|2005]]
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| "[[Daughters (John Mayer song)|Daughters]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]]
|{{won}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan="5"|[[49th Grammy Awards|2007]]
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| ''[[Continuum (John Mayer album)|Continuum]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]]
|{{won}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| ''[[Try!]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| "[[Waiting on the World to Change]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
|{{won}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| "[[Route 66 (song)|Route 66]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance|Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance]]
|{{nom}}
|-
||2008
| style="text-align:center;"| "[[Belief (song)|Belief]]"
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5"|[[51st Grammy Awards|2009]]
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| "[[Say (John Mayer song)|Say]]"
|{{won}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media|Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| "[[Gravity (John Mayer song)|Gravity]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
|{{won}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| "Lesson Learned"
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals|Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| ''[[Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video|Best Long Form Music Video]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[53rd Grammy Awards|2011]]
| style="text-align:center;"| ''[[Battle Studies (album)|Battle Studies]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| Best Pop Vocal Album
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| "[[Half of My Heart]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| "[[Cross Road Blues|Crossroads]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
|{{nom}}
|-
||[[55th Grammy Awards|2013]]
| style="text-align:center;"| ''[[Channel Orange]]'' <small>(featured artist)</small>
| style="text-align:center;"| Album of the Year
|{{nom}}

|}

=== Other awards and nominations ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
|-
!align=center| Year
! Award
! Category
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4"|2002
| MTV Video Music Awards
|
* Best New Artist in a Video for "No Such Thing" – nominated
|-
| Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards
|
* Les Paul Horizon Award (Most Promising Up and Coming Guitarist)
|-
| VH1 Big in 2002 Awards
|
* Can't Get You Out of My Head Award for "No Such Thing"
|-
| Pollstar Concert Industry Awards
|
* Best New Artist Tour
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7"|2003
| 20th Annual ASCAP Awards
|
* Most Performed Songs – "No Such Thing" (shared with Clay Cook)<ref>(May 21, 2003), [http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2003/mostperformed.aspx Most Performed Song] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715055903/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2003/mostperformed.aspx |date=July 15, 2013 }}. ASCAP. Retrieved March 29, 2015.</ref><br /><sup>Awarded to songwriters and publishers of the most performed songs in the ASCAP repertory for the award period.</sup>
|-
| 31st Annual American Music Awards
|
* Favorite Male Artist – Pop or Rock 'n Roll Music
|-
| 15th Annual Boston Music Awards
|
* Act of the Year<ref>Macone, Steven (2003). [http://dailyfreepress.com/2003/09/05/local-musicians-honored-at-bmas/ "Local musicians honored at BMAs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161652/http://dailyfreepress.com/2003/09/05/local-musicians-honored-at-bmas/ |date=April 2, 2015 }}. ''Daily Free Press''. Retrieved March 25, 2015.</ref>
* Male Vocalist of the Year
* Song of the Year for "Your Body Is a Wonderland"
|-
| MTV Video Music Awards
|
* Best Male Video
|-
| Radio Music Awards
|
* Modern Adult Contemporary Radio Artist of the Year
* Best Hook-Up Song for "Your Body Is a Wonderland"
|-
| Teen People Awards
|
* Choice Music – Male Artist
* Choice Music – Album for ''Any Given Thursday''
|-
| Danish Music Awards
|
* Best New Artist
|-
|align=center|2004
| BDS Certified Spin Awards<br /><small>March 2004 recipients</small>
|
* Reached 100,000 spins for "Why Georgia"
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|2005
| 33rd annual American Music Awards
|
* Adult Contemporary: Favorite Artist
|-
| World Music Awards
|
* World's Best Selling Rock Act
|-
| People's Choice Awards
|
* Favorite Male Artist
|-
| align=center|2006
| ASCAP Awards
|
* Most Performed Songs – "Daughters"<ref>(May 22, 2006), [http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2006/mostperformed.aspx Most Performed Songs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727035801/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2006/mostperformed.aspx |date=July 27, 2013 }}. ASCAP. Retrieved March 29, 2015.</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2007
|35th Annual American Music Awards
|
* Adult Contemporary Music – nominated
|-
|23rd Annual TEC Awards
|
* Tour Sound Production (for the Continuum Tour)
* Record Production/Single or Track (for production on "Waiting on the World to Change")
* Record Production/Album (from production on ''Continuum'')
|-
| align=center|2009
| ASCAP Awards
|
* Most Performed Songs – "Say"<ref>{{cite web |title=Most Performed Songs |url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2009/mostperformedsongs.aspx |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919062317/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2009/mostperformedsongs.aspx |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |date=April 22, 2009}}</ref>
|}

== See also ==
<!-- Alphabetical Ordering -->
* [[Annual John Mayer Holiday Charity Revue]]

== Notes ==
{{refbegin}}
{{cnote|a|Generally, it was believed that Mayer's father, a [[Central High School (Connecticut)|Bridgeport High School]] principal, had given him a tape player (confiscated from a student) that happened to contain [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]] album. However, in a 2006 interview on the New Zealand show ''[[Close Up (TV programme)|Close Up]]'' (and other interviews), Mayer said that this was not true.<ref name=CU/>}}
{{cnote|b|"Bittersweet Poetry" was released in the summer of 2007 (three years after its creation) as an iTunes pre-order bonus track to the album ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]''.}}
{{cnote|c|The quote is taken from the posthumously-published book ''[[Battle Studies]]'' by Colonel [[Ardant Du Picq]] (d. 1870)}}
{{refend}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Works cited===
* Edwards, G. (2006). ''Is Tiny Dancer Really Elton's Little John?'' New York: [[Random House|Crown Publishing Group]]. {{ISBN|0-307-34603-X}}.

== External links ==
{{Sister project links
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|commons = Category:John Mayer
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* {{Official website|http://www.johnmayer.com}}
* {{YouTube|user=johnmayerVEVO}}
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{{John Mayer}}
{{John Mayer Trio}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for John Mayer
|list =
{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mayer, John}}
[[Category:John Mayer| ]]
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