Frank Erwin Center | Press Releases

AUSTIN, TEXAS – There is no substitute to seeing John Mayer perform live and the release of Battle Studies later this month will kick off a North American tour beginning February 8 in Charleston, SC and features special guest Michael Franti and Spearhead. Tickets for the majority of dates are planned to go on sale to the general public on November 21, with an American Express cardmember pre-sale window from November 16-20. For those starting their holiday shopping early, a special offer on www.johnmayer.com allows fans who pre-order Battle Studies now through November 10th to access their own exclusive tour pre-sale to purchase up to 12 tickets before they’re available anywhere else.

Kicking off release week, Fuse today announced that “Fuse Presents: John Mayer Live From the Beacon Theatre,” will now be broadcast overseas to U.S. troops and their families by AFN, The Armed Forces Network, to reach those stationed in 175 countries and on 140 U.S. Navy ships at sea. Fuse, Madison Square Garden’s national music television network, and Madison Square Garden Entertainment have teamed up with the American Forces Network (AFN) – now Mayer’s performance will air live on Fuse, in HD and SD, on November 17th at 9pm ET in the U.S. and will be simulcast live that night via AFN Radio. Additionally, AFN Television’s “Spectrum” channel will air the concert on December 6, 2009 at 8pm and on New Year’s Eve.

In addition to an intimate performance of his current single, "Who Says" on the “Today Show” on Thursday, November 19, Mayer has another special event up his sleeve with “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Mayer will perform as Letterman’s musical guest, and then take over the studio for an extended concert for fans that will be webcast on Letterman’s website and will also stream live and remain online through the beginning of the “Battle Studies” Tour. Other television appearances and special announcements are planned for December, including “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Jay Leno Show” and “Larry King Live.”

Battle Studies is the fourth studio album from the seven-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/guitar player/producer and incorporates the warmth, melodies and simplicity of 70's and 80's California rock and pop. Battle Studies is a confessional, relaxed and liberated album recorded in a private home in California where Mayer lived and worked over the course of six months before wrapping at the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles. The album was co-produced by John Mayer and Steve Jordan and will be released on November 17, 2009 on Columbia Records.

ABOUT MICHAEL FRANTI - Michael Franti’s latest CD All Rebel Rockers, is not only the highest Billboard Top 200 Album Chart debut of his career, it has been on that chart longer than any other Franti CD. The CD’s smash “Say Hey (I Love You)” is expected to be a certified digital platinum single by the end of November ‘09. Appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Jimmy Fallon” and other national television outlets have served to drive the more than 3.1 million YouTube views for “Say Hey (I Love You).”
Franti has always dared to say very big things through his music. Yet for all the wide-ranging excellence of his work, what’s most impressive about Franti as a recording artist and live performer is his ability to inspire. Ultimately, Franti’s music and his dedication to greater understanding on a global level are not two aspects of his life, but very much one and the same. The Bay Area born Franti has been bringing our world exceptionally powerful, deeply felt music under a variety of names and in a wide range of genres for 20 years. From the intense punk rock of the Beatnigs, to the deeply political rap he made with the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy to his joyful and meaningful modern soul music with Spearhead, and now as Michael Franti & Spearhead, this still young man has released an impressive series of recordings that have vividly reflected his status as a musical citizen of this world. His critically hailed live performances have been tabbed as “some of the best the industry has to offer today.”

ABOUT JOHN MAYER - The consistency with which John Mayer combines word craft and melody has earned him rarefied status in popular culture as a genuine and respected songwriter and musician. Since his acclaimed debut in 2001 with Room For Squares, each release has earned John Mayer additional accolades. Through 2003's Heavier Things, his work with John Mayer Trio in 2005, Continuum's 2006 release and now, Battle Studies, John Mayer has established himself as a musician and collaborator who exceeds genre boundaries. The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has earned seven Grammy Awards and sold nearly 12.5 million albums worldwide.

In May 2007, Time Magazine placed John Mayer on their Time 100 list of the most influential contemporary thinkers, leaders, artists and entertainers. For two consecutive years, Rolling Stone Magazine featured John Mayer on the cover of their annual "Guitar" issue - first with the May 2008 "Living Guitar Legends" issue and then as part of February 2007's "Guitar Heroes" round-ups featuring Mayer with peers and icons alike.

Pairings with a range of artists are a defining trait of the musician whose collaborative streak is well-known. From rock to blues, hip-hop to jazz to country, Mayer has performed and/or recorded with Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, T-Bone Burnett, Herbie Hancock, Dixie Chicks, Jay Z, Alicia Keys and Taylor Swift. In 2005, Mayer famously toured and recorded with power players Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan as John Mayer Trio, whose live album TRY! featured searing blues and rock.

Tickets for John Mayer with special guest Michael Franti and Spearhead at the Frank Erwin Center Monday, March 8 at 7 p.m. are $46 and $66 and GO ON SALE Saturday, November 21 at 10 a.m. at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes select H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Kyle, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos, Temple; Ft. Hood ITR and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512-477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. Convenience charges may apply. All information is subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and University lots. For more information, visit uterwincenter.com.