John Mayer wouldn't normally do this sort of thing

John Mayer has been preparing for his role this evening by stressing how we shouldn't be cynical - after all, how can we be cynical in the face of so many wonderful people setting aside their egos:

"I hope that for all the cynicism that's existed around this subject, we can all uncross our arms long enough to give this event a chance to impact the world in the way that I'm beginning to feel that it could. Now isn't the time to dissect the rights and wrongs. (If you're hoping Live Earth doesn't work, you have a lot of soul-searching to do.)

With this kind of lineup, there's no cause or crisis that wouldn't be positively affected by an event of this scope. Live Earth isn't a show - it's a showing, a presentation of an idea. Artists like us don't just get together to each play 20 minute sets every weekend, you know. We're also usually pretty sensitive about the order in which we take the stage, and I've got no problems with my 5:12 PM set time. The Police, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and yes, myself and my dumb face are all openers for the true headliner - the power to literally change the world's mind."

If we were truly cynical, we'd suggest this post sounds more like a man who's really pissed off at being asked to go on during the middle of the afternoon trying to at least market lemonade out of the lemon.