Alex Kluft

Singer-Songwriter legend JD Souther played the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks, CA March 9. This was a night of hits and storytelling and one story was when Jackson Browne took him to David Geffen’s house and was signed right on the spot. Souther’s self-titled debut album turned 50 last year and he’s released a total of eight solo albums as well as two albums part of Souther-Hillman-Furay Band. Souther-Hillman-Furay Band was with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay following the break-ups of the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. As a songwriter Souther is best known for writing/co-writing some of the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt’s biggest hits. Souther has also written for James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, Glen Campbell, Goo Goo Dolls The Dixie Chicks (now The Chicks), George Strait and provided vocals for Jackson Browne, John Prine, Dan Fogelberg, The Outlaws, Charlie Daniels Band, Warren Zevon, Christopher Cross, Ivan Nevill, Randy Newman and many others.

Souther’s career took off after moving to L.A. by “Hanging out in the bar at the Troubadour with Glenn Frey and Jackson Browne and playing open mike Mondays, then opening for Poco and The Flying Burrito Brothers.” During that time Souther saw great songwriters like James Taylor, Randy Newman, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Waylon Jennings, Neil Young, Taj Mahal, Tim Buckley, and many more. It was at the Troubadour that Souther met Linda Ronstadt and Don Henley and Glenn Frey formed the Eagles and would become one of the biggest selling bands in history.

Souther performed solo acoustic with just one guitar and a piano. For hits he wrote with the Eagles, “New Kid in Town,” “Best of My Love,” “The Sad Cafe,” and “Heartache Tonight” were all performed. Souther also performed Don Henley’s “The Heart of the Matter,” which he wrote with Henley and The Heartbreaker’s Mike Campbell. Souther also played covers like Duke Ellington’s “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” and his biggest solo hit “You’re Only Lonely.” In 2013, Souther was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.