With almost a year of performing the music of the Grateful Dead, guitarist/vocalist John Mayer reflects on his tour with Dead & Company in a touching Instagram post. As he explains, “The band flourished in so many ways.” With the original members leading the way, the new additions of Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and frequent keys collaborator Jeff Chimenti, really brought a new energy to the GD vibe.

For Mayer, it was more than just the music. “I grew up a lone wolf in a bedroom practicing my guitar, and all I ever really craved was community.” He continues, “The community I feel now between my brothers and sisters in this band and crew, and the connection between everyone in the audience from the front row to the back, to those who listened from couches and cars, to those who come up to me and say more with their eyes than their words in their attempt to tell me what this means to them – I will never forget it, because I will never stop feeling it.”

Read the full message in the touching post below:

 

This @deadandcompany tour was magical. This band flourished in so many ways. To learn each others’ moves as people and musicians, so as to support each other on stage and off made every night a beautiful adventure. I grew up a lone wolf in a bedroom practicing my guitar, and all I ever really craved was community. The community I feel now between my brothers and sisters in this band and crew, and the connection between everyone in the audience from the front row to the back, to those who listened from couches and cars, to those who come up to me and say more with their eyes than their words in their attempt to tell me what this means to them – I will never forget it, because I will never stop feeling it. We’re together now. I’m honored to be one of many musicians in the larger community of the GDEU (Grateful Dead Extended Universe.) And it must be said – to Jerry: what a light you are that I could bask in your shadow. love you all.

A photo posted by johnmayer (@johnmayer) on