In the early 2000s, I had the pleasure and privilege of watching singer-songwriter Jason Mraz emerge into his own.
Long before the sold-out arenas, Grammy Awards, and millions of records sold, there was a young man armed with an acoustic guitar, an infectious smile, and an endless supply of optimism. Week after week, a small group of friends and I would gather in restaurants, coffee shops, and tiny venues around West Hollywood to watch Jason and his friend, percussionist Toca Rivera, perform for drinks, tips, and whoever happened to wander through the door.
Looking back, it feels a little bit like witnessing lightning in a bottle.
For nearly two years before he landed the recording contract he so richly deserved, Jason steadily built something special. Not just a fanbase, but a community.
People kept coming back because the music was good. But there was something else happening too. His songs were playful, hopeful, and deeply human. They invited people in. They made strangers smile at one another. They reminded us that joy could be a choice.
I am proud to have been one of Jason’s original Los Angeles cheerleaders.
I’m even prouder to still be a fan all these years later.
Over the decades, Jason’s music has been a soundtrack for more moments in my life than I can count. It has accompanied road trips, heartbreaks, fresh starts, creative breakthroughs, and quiet afternoons when I needed a reminder that the world is not quite as dark as the headlines suggest.
One album in particular continues to find its way back into my rotation: Mr. A–Z.
Released in 2005, the album feels as fresh and relevant today as it did when I first heard it. Songs like “Life Is Wonderful,” “Geek in the Pink,” and “Wordplay” showcase Jason’s gift for combining clever songwriting with genuine warmth.
Beneath the wordplay and catchy melodies is a worldview that has always resonated with me: look for the good, lead with kindness, stay curious, and don’t take yourself too seriously. That may sound like a simple recipe for success, but simple isn’t always easy or sustainable.
Like most people, I occasionally lose my way. I get frustrated. I become cynical. I spend too much time doomscrolling and not enough time appreciating the people and experiences right in front of me. When that happens, Jason Mraz’s music often serves as a gentle course correction.
A reminder of my better angels. A reminder of my true nature. A reminder that kindness is still a superpower, optimism is still a choice, and wonder is still available to anyone willing to look for it.
The older I get, the more I appreciate artists who make me feel better about being human. Not because they ignore life’s difficulties, but because they help me navigate them with a little more grace and a lot more tenderness.
Jason Mraz has been doing that for me for the past twenty-five years.
Not every artist becomes the person you knew when you first met them in a deserted coffee shop. Fame has a way of changing people. Success has a way of magnifying flaws. But every now and then, some become exactly who they were destined to be.
Jason Mraz is one of those rare, lovely human beings. And for that, I remain grateful.
So here’s to “Mr. A To Z.” And here’s to looking for the good.
Happy Birthday, Jason!
Thank you for being a friend…
Clint 🌈✌️
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
BORN THIS WAY ON THIS DAY
06-23 = Alan Turing (1912-1954) = English mathematician and scientist 🌈
06-23 = Alfred Kinsey (1894-1956) = American sexologist and educator 🌈
06-23 = Hubert “Jay” Stowitts (1892-1953) = American artist and dancer 🌈
06-23 = Jason Mraz (1977- ) = American singer-songwriter 🌈
MAN CRUSHES OF THE DAY
“We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.”
Alan Turing
“The only unnatural sex act is that which you cannot perform.”
Alfred Kinsey
“It’s from being melancholy and having my human down experiences that I learn, that I overcome, that I transform - and these realizations I put into song. That’s what I choose to put in my backpack and carry with me around the world.”
Jason Mraz
Yes to all of this! Thank you Clint, for making my day, and for making me curious to add Mr. Mraz's music to my Universe. Next time you are feeling low, remember what you shared with us: "..look for the good, lead with kindness, stay curious, and don’t take yourself too seriously." Hoping your day is wonderful.
👍👍 cheers DougT