1/19/07, 6:14 pm EST

Assignment Two Finalist: Catherine Mevs - 10 Questions for John Mayer

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Note: This is not an official Rolling Stone article. What follows is a submission to the “I’m From Rolling Stone” writing competition.

by Catherine Mevs

Age: 19

1. In a number of your songs, there are lightly veiled messages about the current political climate. As a man of opinions, would you ever do another stint writing for a magazine, this time—instead of writing for Esquire about music—writing opinions on current events for another publication?

2. What are the elements (human, vegetable or mineral) which, when added together, are the most conducive to your creative process?

3. By definition, your song lyrics are very relatable to a wide audience. Given the atypical life you lead, how do you keep your song writing well grounded?

4. Having previously acknowledged that playing the guitar was your first love, what was it that compelled you to start singing over your playing; as opposed to joining a band as the lead guitarist?

5. As a song writer, what are your thoughts on the fact that when your next album comes out—regardless of how far in the future that may be— there is going to be speculation (á la Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River”) on which songs were inspired by your speculated romance with Jessica Simpson?

6. Has your time in the New York City comedy circuit changed the way you put on your concerts?

7. As one of the producers on this record, you held the power in determining which songs were in and which were out. What compelled you to put “Vultures” and “Gravity” on Continuum when they had already appeared on The John Mayer Trio album?

8. Among your musical contemporaries, with whose music do you connect the most deeply?

9. What do you feel the word “continuum” expresses about your music on this latest album, your past albums and the music you’ve yet to create?

10. On average, how many hours a day do you spend thinking about music?