Success happens for John Mayer

By Whitney Matheson, USA TODAY

Opportunities are arising for John Mayer as his album, Room for Squares, rises up the charts.

Tune in No Such Thing, John Mayer

Who's hot? Singer/songwriter John Mayer.

Why now? His first album on a major label, Room for Squares, is climbing the Billboard charts, and many of the shows on his current tour have been sellouts. His single, No Such Thing, is gaining airplay.

The buzz: Rolling Stone named him one of 10 Artists to Watch in 2002. The Los Angeles Times says "he has the goods as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and presence." Mayer also is interviewed in the April issue of Interview magazine by perhaps his most famous fan, Elton John.

"Every day someone says to me, 'I just want you to know this never happens.' And I go, 'Well, what do you mean? It's happening to me.' "

John Mayer is coming to terms with success. The first sign of prosperity arrived in February when he swapped his 15-passenger van for a plush, roomy tour bus. On March 13, he performed on The Tonight Show. This week, he's listed as Billboard's "Greatest Gainer," as his album climbed from No. 82 to No. 56.

It's difficult to understand Mayer's good fortune, especially considering radio has been slow to embrace Room for Squares, which arrived in stores last September.

While some critics have compared Mayer's vivid lyrics and jazz-flavored pop songs to Dave Matthews, David Gray and Steely Dan, the 24-year-old musician insists he's just being himself.

"I remember every Tuesday walking down the aisles of the record store and finding nothing coming back with a record that had like a couple good songs and the rest were anemic, in terms of melodies or hooks," he says. "And I remember saying to myself, 'I'm just going to have to make that record (I've been searching for).' "

Born and raised in Connecticut, Mayer picked up his first guitar at 13. After briefly attending Boston's Berklee College of Music, he moved to Atlanta in 1999 and quickly gained a following on the coffeehouse circuit.

Although he admits owning a couple of Dave Matthews albums, Mayer cites blues master Stevie Ray Vaughan as his biggest influence. Also ranking high on his list: Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton and John, who, during a recent Rosie O'Donnell Show appearance, called Room for Squares a brilliant album.

Despite his sensitive lyrics and boyish good looks, Mayer remains single, although, considering his chaotic life, he says "it really couldn't be any other way than that right now."

When asked to reveal the best moment of his career so far, Mayer hesitates. "I think it's this week, actually," he says, referring to his recent performances on The Tonight Show, VH1's Late World With Zach and sold-out shows at the House of Blues in Chicago. "I think I'm in the week right now."

At the rate he's going, next week probably won't be too shabby, either.