Grammy Awards: Why is John Mayer here, and what did Lady Antebellum just win?
I like to think that the Recording Academy headquarters in West Los Angeles has a signal. Chief Neil Portnow goes to the roof and turns a Grammy logo into the clouds and -- BOOM -- John Mayer swoops in from wherever he is. Apparently, he was thought to be a good enough guitarist for a few verses of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." He didn't add anything, he didn't ruin anything, he just reinforced the old adage that Grammy = John Mayer, but we could give a list of 750 guitarists more suited. Likewise, Norah Jones sang, with slightly more roughness than usual, which would be nice if she'd explore on record.
However, the real crime here is Lady Antebellum winning song of the year for "Need You Now" over Cee Lo Green's "... You." The latter made its mark as one of 2010's defining songs, while "Need You Now" has shown that Lady A can pen a hit about a bootie call. Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me" also would have been a better choice, as well as Eminem's overdramatic "Love the Way You Lie" with Rihanna.
But no one really watches the Grammys for their always misguided award handouts.
-- Todd Martens
Hey Todd. John Mayer is one of the best guitarists of our generation. Stop talking out of your ass
Posted by: anonymous | February 13, 2011 at 07:47 PM
wow, what a hater dude.
Posted by: Jonathan Reyes | February 13, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Sounds like someone's just a Mayer hater. Look, you might not like him personally but don't knock his guitar skills, that's ridiculous. They guy's got 7 grammys and was nominated again this year. That's why he's there. Just get over it.
Posted by: Drew | February 13, 2011 at 07:59 PM
I guess Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Eric Clapton & Herbie Hancock don't know a good guitarist when they see one. They have all played with him. Name 750 other guitarists who can say that.
Posted by: shellbell | February 13, 2011 at 08:15 PM
I mean you no respect Todd but the grammys, while some awards are "misguided", are a show that everyone should watch. Without it there wouldn't really be a bond in music society like there is. You wouldn't expect Lady Gaga to be in the same room with Zach Brown anywhere else would you?
And also John Mayer is one of the best guitarists of the decade. He is one of the few guitarists that started his career in the new century that everyone knows. I saw him in Mansfield August 6th 2010 and may I say he is an amazing performer. No performer has able to convey such raw, or simple emotion and ambition like John mayer. He deserves 300% to be at the Grammys. If he wasn't there i'd be the one writing the article complaining.
Posted by: John Davis | February 13, 2011 at 08:15 PM
It seems that you're jealous of John Mayer, Todd.
Posted by: Brenda | February 13, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Todd,
While I respect your opinion, and some of the awards are "misguided", the Grammys are an asset in modern music. With Illegal Downloading, the music society has lost it's way in conveying emotion in music, to what's the best way to make money. The Grammys mends the cracks and fissures in the spirit of music. Where else would you ever see Florence Welch, Eminem, Zach Brown and Lady Gaga in the same place?
And John Mayer is (if not THE best) one of the best guitarists to come out of the past decade. I saw him in 2010 and was blown away. Not only is his guitar playing phenomenal, but his lyrics are profound. John can convey emotion and raw ambition like no one can. He is one of the few gifted people, that through all the torment and hell the media has put him through, he comes out with songs that make people forget the words tagged on to him like douchebag and womanizer. You might know 750 guitarists, but they don't deserve it more that John.
Posted by: John Davis | February 13, 2011 at 08:35 PM
M&M was robbed, JayZ was robbed, Gaga was robbed....Lady Antebellum for song of the year? Got to be kidding! Cee-lo was robbed. It just goes to show that no matter how many CDs you sell, the Grammys don't care. No matter if you have a comeback story, no matter than you're producing hits all decade long....the Grammys don't care.
Need you now is the most boring song on the radio and needs to die.
Posted by: Chicago48 | February 13, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Wouldn't mind seeing that list of 750 guitarists.
Living, successful guitarists who have played with many of the greats and have been recognized as the one of the best to emerge this past decade. I'm so tired of people basing their opinions about Mayer on his pop albums. Pop John plays pretty songs for screaming fangirls and sells albums to support Guitarist John, who puts out some legitimately good music and some amazing guitar playing.
So, if you could post that list.
Posted by: Christina Lewis | February 13, 2011 at 09:11 PM
John Mayer plays with the likes of B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Herbie Hancock. I can think of about 75o other writers that were more suited to write about John Mayer than douchey Todd Martens.
Posted by: Todd is a d-bag. | February 13, 2011 at 09:42 PM
I cant believe I wasted my time reading this. You have to be the most idiotic, bias writer I have ever seen. John Mayer is an amazing guitarist. Just ask legends that he has played with such as BB King, Clapton, Buddy Guy, etc. You wouldn't know that though cause you are too busy jumping on the hater bandwagon and watch way too much TMZ. Start watching live performances and attend some concerts, so you are better prepared not to sound like a blathering idiot next time you come on here and write you're worthless opinion. And by the way, anybody can write a blog about their opinions. You are A JOKE. Get a real job.
Posted by: clay | February 13, 2011 at 09:42 PM
Who the hell put you on such a pedestal? As an experienced guitar player of 10 years I can tell you straight up John Mayer is one of the best guitarists of my generation and one of the most creative and flat out awe-inspiring musicians alive today. I would direct you to songs like Neon, or I don't Trust Myself (With Loving You), which are both easily accessible via youtube (and I suggest watching the live versions from his "Where the Light is" live dvd.)
750 other guitarists? Get a grip.
Posted by: Braden | February 13, 2011 at 09:45 PM
I listen to most genres of music and while all songs nominated for "Song Of The Year" are quality tunes you must have a serious prejudice towards country. Sales numbers aside, Lady A has done much for country music throughout the last year whereas I do not believe the other nominees had as much impact with a single song. I am incensed that you would stoop to such a level as a so-called professional critic or whatever the hell it is you assume to call yourself to detract from a very talented trio. A bootie call? Listen to the lyrics and remove whatever prejudice you have before making an ill-informed comment such as above.
As for John Mayer, he is certainly one of the most talented guitarists performing today. Albeit his part in Jolene was limited it was a still a good arrangement with excellent talent.
It's amusing people like you get paid to make their odoriferous opinions public!
Posted by: JB | February 13, 2011 at 10:26 PM
You don't know what your talking about!
Posted by: Omar David Jimenez | February 13, 2011 at 10:38 PM
I usually never comment on articles but I read this article and just had to defend John Mayer-- and I am happy to see that so many people have already done that. People may hate him for what is written about him in tabloids but to say that he is just another guitar player is plain ignorance. He is a genius on the guitar, just ask Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Eric Clapton & Herbie Hancock as "shellbell" has already pointed out. I don't see how this guy is a music blogger when he can't even realize and/or appreciate John Mayer's abilities.
Posted by: Marissa | February 13, 2011 at 10:47 PM
You sir, are an ass. I can't think of 750 writers more suited to wipe the sweat from John Mayer's balls.
Posted by: Chris | February 13, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Todd, whom are the "we" in your statement? Do you represent the newspapers opinions? Not only are you a JM hater, you so lack the ability to appreciate talent that you forgot to mention how bad you must think the best new artist Esperanza Spalding is. You wouldn't know talent if it slapped you in the face.
Posted by: Holly | February 14, 2011 at 01:08 AM
People just love to hate John Mayer. What are u smoking dude ?!! He is one of the musicians of our generation. I have seen him live twice this year. I wasn't even pissed that I was stuck in traffic for 3 damn hours to see him. Wish we had more musicians like him. Long life JM.ย
Posted by: Amy | February 14, 2011 at 01:31 AM
I agree fully with all the comments on this pg..the grammys definitely give away awards 2 many mediocre artists..Bt plss john mayer doesn't figure any close!!!you'll never find 750 guitarists in this decade betr than him!!lol..giv his songs a listen..especially LIVE..he is surreal..beautiful..then you'll know..seperate the musician frm d tabloid goss.he is a genius of this era.
Posted by: madhuri | February 14, 2011 at 04:57 AM
I'm not familiar with John Mayer, but I thought the guitar syncopation between Mayer and Urban last night was excellent, Jolene was one of the highlights of the night in another boring wankfest by the old fools that once a year try to convince everyone they're still relevant.
Posted by: Duncan | February 14, 2011 at 06:43 AM
If Mayer is good enough to be invited to Clapton's "Crossroads" then I think he's good enough for me.
Posted by: Duncan | February 14, 2011 at 06:44 AM
Cool story bro.
Posted by: Steve | February 14, 2011 at 06:54 AM
How does lady antabellum win awards for a song that copies someone elses work.
Listen to Alan Parsons, Eye in the Sky Need you know is the same melody with different words
Posted by: kent | February 14, 2011 at 07:14 AM
Excuse me, but John Mayer was nominated for FOUR grammys this year. Sheesh! YOU are a professional? Get some facts.
Posted by: karla | February 14, 2011 at 07:15 AM
Was Mayer reading the lyrics to Jolene from the telemprompter? Way to be a professional, douche. Clearly, he thinks he's too good to waste his time memorizing 2 lines of one of the best country songs ever written.
Posted by: chris m. | February 14, 2011 at 11:45 AM