John Mayer Launching Weekly ‘Grateful Dead Listening Party’ On SiriusXM

Dead & Company guitarist John Mayer is launching a new “Grateful Dead Listening Party” program on SiriusXM. The weekly Sunday evening series debuts on March 8 at 9 p.m. ET.

Mayer’s “Grateful Dead Listening Party” can be heard each week on SiriusXM’s Life with John Mayer (Ch. 14). Rebroadcasts will then play throughout the week on the Grateful Dead Channel (Ch. 23).

Mayer shared a statement regarding the new series, which revealed he was inspired to launch the program after the death of his Dead & Company bandmate, Grateful Dead co-founding guitarist Bob Weir.

Mayer’s statement regarding the new series follows:

“In the days after we lost Bobby Weir, I tried listening to Grateful Dead music as a way to be soothed. I found it harder than I’d thought. I felt as if I was listening alone, like the mainframe that connects all who listen at any given time had gone offline. (It turns out that a presence like Bobby’s makes for an immeasurable absence.)

“After talking with friends who felt the same, I knew I wanted to start ‘Grateful Dead Listening Party.’ Every Sunday night at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific on SiriusXM’s Life with John Mayer channel, I’ll be playing two hours of my favorite Grateful Dead and Dead & Company recordings, talking a little about each one.

“It’s a way for those who have felt lost to ‘meet up’ and listen to the music together. It’s not live, but I’ll be tuning in. Sometimes the least you can do is also the most you can do… we shall find a way forward.”

On-demand “Grateful Dead Listening Party” episode replays will also be available on the SiriusXM app.