Photo: Brande Jackson

Chances are you’ve been watching various Dead & Company webcasts and wondered what the six-foot-two picnic table cloth is doing next to Bob Weir. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. I’m here to set the record straight. 

Turns out somewhere in that glorious sea of colorful checkers lies one John Mayer, full-time guitarist for Dead & Company and aspiring Rick Nielsen impersonator. I have so many questions for Mayer about the two outfits he’s debuted on this tour, both blue and red checkers. Some of you have had some fun with it on Twitter (as you’ll see below) and some of you have even caught the fever at the shows and the fact is that checkerpalooza is sweeping the nation. 

Who wore it better? pic.twitter.com/OW7Az7kfhb
— Money Bags (@BrodTHEchode69) July 16, 2016

Round 2 of who wore it better @BrodTHEchode69 pic.twitter.com/WbYwov1xIc
— Sam (@Phichigan) July 30, 2016

Your body is a tablecloth, part two. #deadandcompany @deadandcompany pic.twitter.com/IKaJFpSgtc
— Trey Warren (@_TreyWarren) July 30, 2016

Mayer doesn’t let the naysayers bring him down, he just keeps on keeping on. This is an official plea to never retire the checkerboards, John. It is swiftly becoming a true national treasure and makes it worth the $14.99 to tune into the webcast. Also, where can I get one? 

I’ll leave you with a new motto: Live everyday with the confidence of John Mayer in red and blue checkers. Onward & upward, John.