John David Souther (commonly abbreviated as J. D. Souther) is a singer-songwriter and actor, as well as a multi-instrumentalist.

He is a well-known country rock performer, writer and co-writer of hit songs for other artists, most famously Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles.

J.D. was born in Detroit and raised in Amarillo, Texas and was greatly influenced by Texan Roy Orbison.

J.D. moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s and met a young guitarist from Detroit named Glenn Frey—of Eagles fame. They began working together while sharing a small apartment in Los Angeles’ Echo Park area (their downstairs neighbor was Jackson Browne.

After recording an eponymous solo album in 1972 and persuaded by David Geffen, J.D. teamed up with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay to form the Souther Hillman Furay Band.

J.D. is probably best known for his well-crafted songwriting ability. He co-wrote some of the biggest hits for the Eagles, including:
Best of My Love
Victim of Love
Heartache Tonight
New Kid in Town
How Long

J.D. also produced and wrote songs for several of Linda Ronstadt’s albums, including:
Faithless Love
White Rhythm and Blues

He also recorded several notable duets with Ronstadt, including ”
Hasten Down the Wind
Prisoner in Disguise
Sometimes You Can’t Win

J.D. has also contributed as a singer in works written by other artists, including backing vocals with Don Henley in The Light Is On by Christopher Cross on his eponymous debut album.

His biggest hit as a solo artist was his 1979 Orbison-influenced song You’re Only Lonely.

Collaboration with James Taylor called Her Town Too from Taylor’s Dad Loves His Work album reached number 11 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.

In 2002, J.D. moved from the Hollywood Hills, California to Nashville, Tennessee where he continues to write, record, and tour.