Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: John Clayton Mayer ( ; born October 16 , 1977 ) is an American musician , singer-songwriter , recording artist , and music producer .
Simplified: John Clayton Mayer ( surname pronunciation : \/ Ë meÉ . jÉ r \/ ) ( born October 16 , 1977 ) is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter .