Lennon grad

Being a philosophy major at Stanford has served Chris Ayer well. The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest a few years ago and is on the road celebrating the release of his sophomore album, “Don’t Go Back to Sleep.’’ Of course it didn’t hurt that the Virginia-born musician grew up singing along to cassette tapes of Elvis Presley and Paul Simon. Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. $8. Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville. 617-776-2004. www.johnnyds.com