John Mayer, the mega-popstar turned Dead & Company guitarist, had big news for fans today with the announcement of an exciting new side project. Dubbed John Mayer’s Almost Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, the project was first conceived back in October of 2016 at Brooklyn Bowl, when Mayer sat-in with the Grateful Dead-inspired tribute act, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. He would join them again exactly a year later in 2017.

As Mayer explained, “Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is definitely one of the most innovative acts right now touring and playing the music of the Grateful Dead. All my Dead & Co bandmates and I are all huge fans and have been for years, so when I first sat in with them, it really was just a dream come true.” He continued, “Given the way that they’re shaping how we define Grateful Dead cover bands, it’s only right that someone steps up to ensure that their music and legacy is remembered and preserved.”

JMAJRAD will be taking a Dark Star Orchestra-esque approach to this new project, meticulously recreating past JRAD setlists in their entirety on the road. He elaborated, “Honestly, as I’ve been working on John Mayer’s Almost Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, there really didn’t seem like any other viable way to appropriately honor JRAD’s legacy other than totally and fully recreating one of their live shows.” He added, “I’m just beyond excited, and it’s been a really great learning experience playing some of these Grateful Dead songs at an appropriate tempo. Plus, I’m playing Tom [Hamilton], so it’s been really fun picking out new scarves and hats and stuff for my costume.”

While Mayer will continue to tour as a solo artist and with Dead & Company across the year, the guitarist and singer will be embarking on a mini-tour with John Mayer’s Almost Joe Russo’s Almost Dead in the fall, with dates already announced in Chicago, Denver, and New York.

April Fools!