Musician/songwriter John Mayer stopped by Berklee on June 16, 2017, to workshop songs from six students in front of a 500-strong crowd. One of those songwriting students, Callie Sullivan, shares her experience below.
By Callie Sullivan B.M. ’17
One month ago I was crossing the stage at Agganis Arena. I collected my diploma, shook hands with Berklee President Roger H. Brown, snapped a selfie with Todd Rundgren and Lionel Richie, and was on my way to start the rest of my life. The very next morning I said my goodbyes and left Boston for what I thought would be forever. Little did I know that while I was unpacking my things in my new Nashville, Tennessee, home, I’d get an email from Pat Pattison asking if I’d be willing to come back to play a show with John Mayer. Without even fully processing it all, I had a flight back to Boston.
The whole event was set up as a master class to reflect a typical songwriting class at Berklee. Five other songwriting students and I all brought in an original song to be played for feedback and critiques. The lyrics were projected on a screen for other students and the professor to follow along to. For this specific event, John Mayer was the professor. I was blown away by his knowledge and passion for songwriting. He had said, “Each song is like a tree house. You spend all this time creating a new place that never existed before. It’s a place built by you, for you, and is a place you can retreat to.” He was right. As songwriters we go into this trance while we’re writing. It’s as if we temporarily live in a different world that is only ours to inhabit.
I played an original song called “The Sinner.” It’s a 6/8 song in A minor that goes back and forth between metaphorical and colloquial speech. I was shocked to see John so wide-eyed and eager to comment on my song. He had suggested adding a chord outside the key of the song and when I added it, the audience went crazy. As I played through the song my final time, John harmonized along. I couldn’t believe I had just shared my little tree house with eight-time Grammy-winner John Mayer.
Backstage after the show John was incredibly personable and encouraging. We took a group photo and chatted for a bit before he parted ways by saying, “See you all out in the real world!”