John Mayer in Charleston, S.C.
photo by B. Nicole Glaze
After taking most of the spring and summer off to complete his latest album, Heavier Things, John Mayer is now enjoying the fruits of his labor during a two-month tour with the celebrated Counting Crows. Currently on the West Coast, no show dates are scheduled for much of the Southeast. With shows heavily concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest, the only shows to grace the lower Southeast area are in Charlotte, N.C., and Raleigh, N.C. Joining them for the West Coast leg of the tour is the newly skyrocketing success, Maroon 5. Later on, groups and solo artists such as Graham Colton, David Ryan Harris, WiseChild and Stew will accompany John and the Crows.
Mayer, generally known as a road warrior, transplanted himself in New York City and Los Angeles for several months earlier this year to finish up his long awaited album "Heavier Things." A full 180 turn from his first two albums, Mayer plans to shake up his fans with songs like Daughters and Something's Missing. Due out on Sept. 9, you can pre order the album through his website, www.johnmayer.com.
The Counting Crows album "Hard Candy", released in 2002, is true to the Crows' infectious sound but ever changing as well. With songs like "American Girls", which has had the most radio play, and the piano ballad "Black and Blue", Hard Candy is definitely making a statement for the Crows. With all the mellow romantic lyrics on Hard Candy, and easy-going fun loving melodies to complement those lyrics, it is clearly evident that The Counting Crows are still mainstream headliners.
If you cannot get to a John Mayer/Counting Crows show this year, you can stay up to date on all the happenings and get show reviews on the artist's web sites. There are bound to be some interesting stories and predicaments to be had this summer. With the likes of John Mayer, and the Counting Crows at the helm, it is bound to be a wild and crazy ride.
(B. Nicole Glaze is a Chattanoogan who photographs and writes about musicians around the Southeast)
B. Nicole Glaze
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