Let's bowl, let's bowl, let's rock'n'roll

So this weekend was the big John Mayer extravaganza, and I'm so sad it's over. The icing on the Your Body Is A Wonderland cake is his Tonight Show performance in a few hours, which I probably could have attended had I paid more attention to the fan club website.

Saturday night my friends Jami and Bree joined me for the show. Sunday night I went with my friend Randie.


Both nights featured Rocco Deluca and then Ben Folds as opening acts. We enjoyed them, although as I told Jodi (a huge Ben Folds fan who attended both nights, too), it was apparent that Ben was not really into playing for a John Mayer audience. It probably didn't help that much of the audience zoned out during his performances.


John's performance on Saturday was beautiful. I enjoyed having his guitar licks and syrupy voice wash right over me. He played a great setlist with all sorts of fabulous tunes.

At Sunday's performance, Jodi and her husband decided to leave after Ben's set. They had seats close to ours, which weren't bad at all. I suggested that they give their tix to someone in the nosebleed seats, but as they were hoping to catch Ben on his way off the stage, I grabbed the tix on their behalf. (I've done that a few times at previous shows where I didn't want to see the second act - Barenaked Ladies/Alanis Morissette, John Mayer/Sheryl Crow, etc.)

After Ben's set, I climbed the three long (and I mean looooooong) flights of stairs to the very top of the Bowl. I surveyed the audience members, trying to look for a pair of fans who would really appreciate it. I saw two girls, one wearing a John Mayer sweatshirt. I interrupted their conversation and probably creeped them out at first when I asked, "Is it just the two of you?" They replied yes, then I told them that I had better seats for them. I explained that my friends only came to see Ben Folds so now their seats were open. Those girls? Soooooooooo excited! They jumped up, screaming excitedly and continuously thanking me. I walked them down to the section, all the while they repeated over and over how excited they were and they couldn't believe it. They gave me big hugs and I sent them on their way. I caught their eyes before the show (they were in the section to my right), flashed them a thumbs-up to make sure they were ok, and they flashed me a big thumbs-up in return.

After the show, Randie and I waited in the shuttle line when she noticed the two girls. I ran over to see if they enjoyed the show. Again, big hugs from them. I formally introduced myself and found out their names - Hannah and Whitney. They asked what I did for a living, which I tried to explain but wouldn't be surprised if it went over their heads as it's a bit of a mouthful. I asked if they were students. And they were. In high school. I felt ooooooooold. They asked what my favorite John Mayer song was. I said, "3x5." Turns out that was Hannah's, too. We also share nicknames - she's also a "Nanners." Me and those two girls? Best friends forever!

And after helping them out, they in turn helped someone else. They gave their nosebleed tickets to the friends of people in front of them, who weren't able to get in. They totally paid it forward! I love it!

So, back to John (we're on a first name basis, ya know). As much as I loved Saturday's performance, I think I enjoyed Sunday just a teeny bit more. He played even more of my old favorites, including 3x5, Neon and Your Body Is A Wonderland. He also threw in a rendition of Springsteen's I'm On Fire, which was really cool!

John is an amazing performer, and I've read that he's considered one of the finest guitarists today. I suggest all of you see him if presented with the opportunity. You'll love him, and if you don't? That just means more for me!



"I was the one you always dreamed of. You were the one I tried to draw. How dare you say it's nothing to me. Baby, you're the only light I ever saw." - John Mayer, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room