5 reasons to see John Mayer

John Mayer, with Ben Folds

When: 7:30 p.m. Monday

Where: Wells Fargo Arena

Cost: $40-$50 through dahlstickets.com

Info: iowaeventscenter.com

John Mayer changes his tune
John Mayer changes his tune
Ben Folds' solo route lets his talent out of box

Libby Sornson by juice staff writer

06/13/2007

John Mayer is one of those musicians who inspires intense feelings of admiration or loathing, with very little middle ground. He probably won't win over any Slayer or Slipknot fans, but here are five things that set John Mayer apart from every other sensitive guy with a guitar.

  1. He's pretty funny. He put on a bear costume and harassed his own fans on "John Mayer Has a TV Show" and helped Dave Chappelle demonstrate the effects guitar music has on white people on "Chappelle's Show." His "Music Lessons" column for "Esquire" has some good laughs.
  2. That "Edward Scissorhands" look. Back in February Mayer showed up at the Grammys looking like Johnny Depp circa 1991. Once you get beyond the "WTF?" factor, you have to respect the seemingly bland Mayer for taking a chance like that. You think Dave Matthews or Jason Mraz would attempt the goth look?
  3. Ladies love him. Guys, if you don't see a single 20- or 30something woman Monday it's because they're all at Mayer's show. Mayer has dated Jennifer Love Hewitt, Heidi Klum and Jessica Simpson. It's like he's trying to assemble his own version of Charlie's Angels. Maybe that's a reason to hate him.
  4. John Mayer is street. Mayer has collaborated with rappers Kanye West, Nelly and Common. Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams have both expressed admiration for Mayer's music. On "John Mayer Has a TV Show" the singer took rapper Trick Daddy on a tour of Nashville.
  5. He really can play. If you ignore the fact that "Your Body is a Wonderland" is one of the worst "I'm blatantly trying to get laid" songs of all time, Mayer's other material shows some talent. Check out the John Mayer Trio album "Try!," focusing more on blues than his usual acoustic fare.

A John Mayer memory

Monday’s concert is Libby Sornson’s second chance to see John Mayer for the first time.

Sornson, 30, is a big fan of Mayer. She regularly suggests his songs at piano bars and Brad Seidenfeld shows, but she hasn’t had the best luck when it comes to seeing him live.

In 2003 the sales rep for Kuder, Inc. won tickets to see Mayer on her birthday. What could have been the perfect birthday turned sour quickly when Sornson’s boyfriend dumped her.

“I had the tickets, but I gave them away,” Sornson said. “At the time I didn’t want to go if he wasn’t going.”

Four years later Sornson is happily married (to a different guy) and getting another shot at seeing Mayer in concert.

“I don’t like a lot of live concerts unless they are at small venues or local bands, but he is definitely on my must-see list.”

Originally found here.