You can't make this sh*t up

If you’ve ever listened to his cover of Bold as Love off Where the Light Is then you have heard the speech where he talks about trying to synthesize love or trying to find some soothing. But he also touches on how he has accomplished so much himself. I like to think I made a lot happen for myself as well; part and parcel due to the inspiration his music gives me. So with that I have a little story to tell. I hope you enjoy it.

I discovered JM in the Fall of 2006. I was very pregnant with my 3rd child and Waiting On The World To Change was all over the radio. I took a ride to my local record store in hopes of purchasing the single. Instead I walked out with my first copy of Continuum. I popped in it my trucks CD player where it remained for the next year and a half.

Everywhere I turned John Mayer was either on television or on the radio. I dvr’d the free concert at Webster Hall he’d done to promote his new album. He was on CSI as himself performing WOTWTC and Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. He made an appearance on Oprah. He sang on the soundtrack for the movie Cars, which at the time was the movie that ran constantly in my house thanks to Richard who was then around 2. I’d heard Daughters and No Such Thing on the radio never making the connection it was the same artist as the one I was falling in love with thanks to Continuum. The first time I saw him in concert was July 26th at the Nassau Coliseum. And if you would have told me that night I would be meeting John Mayer in July of 2008, being the New Yorican that I am, I would have told you to ”Shut the front door and get out of here” Ok maybe I would have used some more grown up expletives but you get the gist.

I recently found my journal entry from after that concert. It reads:

July 9, 2008. Tonight was the best night of my life. I saw John Mayer at Jones Beach! Not only did I see him, I MET HIM! So what if I lost my wallet. I met John Mayer! Did I say this was the best night of my life? EVER? He touched my mother charm. All day I waited in anticipation to see him. He touched my hand. He said “I’m sorry” when I told him my boys and I liked his music. Like a dork I said “Well not Giovanni he doesn’t” He responded “Smart kid that Giovanni”. He cautioned me agains tripping over the foot of the silk screen backdrop we were standing in front of. It was the best concert ever in my life. Better than Prince.

I tried to be cute with my superman tattoo and my hat and my mother charm - did I mention he touched it?! He said “Muhtherrr” as he simultaneously with the index finger of his right hand -the same hand he plays guitar with- pressing that pointer onto my charm into my chest. Blackberry sponsored the tour, Thank You Blackberry for doing business with CA without you I would not have been able to meet John Mayer.

I remember that night so vividly. I wouldn’t shut up. I was the first in line at the meet and greet to talk to him. They had to lead me away ever so gently by the elbow to give someone else a chance. I made some great memories that night. One of which was having my picture taken with him. That picture was plastered on a 5’x2’ banner. As a birthday present to myself I landed 2 front row seats at his show in Tampa that same summer where I presented the banner which is the subject of the video below:

If you look closely at the video you will see John has guitar picks lodged in it. One of which he tossed to me along with a wink after belting out No Such Thing. I kind of felt like it was a little thank you for allowing him to make fun of me. Looking back that banner was so desperate. But hey it contributed to some of the best memories I have of going to his shows while at the same time adding to the entertaiment value. And here’s the best part. I made it happen for myself.

That summer changed my life forever. John Mayer’s music has changed me too. And much like John I have changed as a person since then, going through some pretty low lows only to bounce back from them. Thankfully I can say one thing hasn’t changed. I’m still making things happen for myself.