It’s not every actor who receives a “good job” email from Don Henley after his TV series premieres, but J.D. Souther isn’t your typical thespian. Sharp-eyed music fans may have done a double take when they saw Souther in the role of fictional country music legend Watty White in ABC’s addictive new nighttime soap Nashville.
That’s the opening paragraph from David Browne in a Rolling Stone article at J.D. Souther. When asked how he got cast in the Nashville TV show, he explains, “I flew into New York to play Lincoln Center, and while I was standing at baggage claim, my friend Rita Wilson, who sang “Faithless Love” on her new album, texted me and said, ‘Call when you get to town.’ She said, ‘I’m having dinner with T Bone Burnett, Callie Khouri, Norah Ephron and all these people you like, so come join us.’ I said, ‘I’m in Queens right now.’ But the driver took me right to the restaurant, and Callie said she was writing a show about Nashville and I said, ‘Fantastic.’ A few months went by and my agent called and said, ‘I got a call for you to come in to read for Callie’s new show.’ ”
As one of the principal architects of the “Southern California sound,” Souther played a key role in the formation of the Eagles and co-wrote the band’s hits “Heartache Tonight,” “Victim of Love,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Best of My Love,” and Don Henley’s super hit “The Heart of the Matter,” as well as writing Linda Ronstadt’s classics “Faithless Love,” “Simple Man, Simple Dream,” and “Prisoner in Disguise.” A highly sought-after songwriter and session man, Souther also released three critically acclaimed solo albums— John David Souther (1972), Black Rose (1976), andYou’re Only Lonely (1979)
In 1984, Souther followed the chart-topping successes of “You’re Only Lonely” and the James Taylor duet “Her Town Too” with Home by Dawn, an album that Rolling Stone and Time Magazine declared his best. He has collaborated with countless world-renowned musicians including Bonnie Raitt; Warren Zevon; Don Henley; Linda Ronstadt; Paul Williams; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Hugh Masekela; Burt Bacharach; Dixie Chicks; India Arie; Roy Orbison; Arthur Hamilton; George Strait; Brian Wilson; and Trisha Yearwood.
MORE ABOUT JD SOUTHER
Following a leave of absence in 1985 to build his dream house, travel and spend time with his dogs (all rescues, of course), Souther marked his return to songwriting with three critically acclaimed albums, If World Was You (Slow Curve Records), Rain: Live at the Belcourt (Slow Curve Records), and Natural History (eOne).
In 2007, he wrote the Eagles comeback single “How Long,” which was featured on Long Road Out of Eden, their first studio album since 1979. In 2009, JD was presented with the Golden Note Award at the 47th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards. He is also regular character on the hit ABC show “Nashville” as legendary producer, songwriter and mentor Watty White.
A decade-long Nashville resident, Souther tells Rolling Stone that the show “feels authentic to people in this world… for most of the people who live here, they’re thrilled there’s finally a show in which they escape the usual stereotype.”
In the fall of 2012, JD released Midnight in Tokyo (eOne Music), a live collection of his music alongside Ellington and Ray Henderson. He describes the album as “rough and smooth and wonderful─ saloon music in the night.” The live album was recorded on in Japan.
Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
Tickets for the Oct 10th 7:30pm show at Victoria Theatre start at $29 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets in person visit the Ticket Center Stage Box Office located in the Wintergarden at the Schuster Center or call 937-228-3630, 888-228-3630 or visitwww.ticketcenterstage.com today!
DMM TICKET GIVEAWAY!
For one lucky reader- we’ve got a pair of ticket for you to see this show. To enter our random drawing, fill out our entry form and leave a comment below with your favorite Souther written song. Winner will be named here;
Jimmy Smith- congrats- you’ll be our guest to this show!
