John Mayer ‘Stunned’ by Zach Bryan’s ‘Great American Bar Scene’: He’s ‘Deeply Tapped In’
John Mayer is sharing his admiration for Zach Bryan‘s new album.
On Thursday (July 4), the 46-year-old musician took to social media to praise the country star’s highly anticipated release, The Great American Bar Scene. Mayer is featured on the track “Better Days.”
“I always knew this song Zach wrote was special,” Mayer began his post on X (formerly Twitter). “I had no idea how beautiful, powerful and deep an album it would be a part of. I’m stunned.”
The “Your Body Is A Wonderland” singer added, “I’m blessed to have been able to fulfill my dreams of making music. What I never saw coming: to be asked to play with an artist as deeply tapped in as
@zachlanebryan is. Thank you for inviting me into your dream-coming-true.”
“Better Days” features an uplifting, optimistic message about going deep on the good times because they can be fleeting. Mayer, who co-produced the gentle song, provides tasty guitar licks throughout, as well as a muscular solo midway through.
The Great American Bar Scene dropped on July 4 through Warner Records. The 19-track project includes 18 songs and a poem, highlighted by the preview releases of “Pink Skies” and “Purple Gas.” A double vinyl version of album is slated for release on Oct. 10.
Following the release, Bryan profusely thanked his hero Bruce Springsteen on social media following their collaboration on The Great American Bar Scene. The country star is joined by his one of his most obvious influences, Springsteen, on the song “Sandpaper.”
“thank you for the day @springsteen. thank you for your kind words. thank you for letting me take this picture,” Bryan captioned a photo of Springsteen on X. “thank you for making my whole life a dream of a younger me. a reason to believe.”
In addition to prepping new music, Bryan has been headlining his Quittin Time Tour, which welcomes a slate of openers including Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Turnpike Troubadours and The War & Treaty.
See Mayer’s post on X here.
Mitchell Peters
Billboard