1981 J. D. Souther & James Taylor – Her Town Too

1981 J. D. Souther & James Taylor – Her Town Too

John David (J. D.) Souther was born in Detroit, Michigan, but grew up primarily in Amarillo, Texas. He recorded as a member of The Cinders in 1965 and as John David and the Cinders on their second release the next year.

After moving to LA, he became roommates with future Eagle Glenn Frey. He and Glenn appeared as the duo Longbranch Pennywhistle and released an album of folk music in 1970.

J. D. released a solo album in 1972 and then became a founding member of The Souther-Hillman-Furay band. David Geffen formed the country-rock supergroup by bringing together J. D., Richie Furay from Buffalo Springfield and Poco, and Chris Hillman from The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Manassas. Three other members of Manassas and session drummer Jim Gordon were also initially members of the group.

The group’s first album earned a gold record and contained the single Fallin’ In Love, which reached #27 on the Hot 100 in 1974. Tensions in the group tore it apart after their second album received little praise and sold poorly.

J. D. wrote or co-wrote some of the Eagles’ biggest hits with Glenn Frey and Don Henley, including Best of My Love and a song the trio co-wrote with Bob Seger, Heartache Tonight. He also wrote songs for Linda Ronstadt and co-produced one of her albums. He dated both Linda and Stevie Nicks.

J. D. recorded another solo album in 1979 that yielded the top ten hit You’re Only Lonely.

J. D. and James Taylor co-wrote and recorded the single Her Town Too.

While the single appears on James Taylor’s Dad Loves His Work album, the record label for the single gives equal billing to both artists.

Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon produced the single, and it peaked at #11 on the Hot 100 in 1981.

J. D. got work as an actor with recurring roles on television’s Thirty Something and Nashville. He also appeared in several films.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame added J. D. in 2013 and acknowledged him as, “a principal architect of the Southern California sound and a major influence on a generation of songwriters.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Souther

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