Influenced by a wide-spectrum of musical genres from the 1950’s rock and roll of Buddy Holly, to the ’70’s punk rock and ’80’s hip-hop, JD McPherson first began playing guitar at the age of 13. During high school the young musician played in a number of local punk bands and began crafting his own rock and roll songs. McPherson subsequently performed in the groups the Poison Okies and the Starkweather Boys, before beginning his studies at the University of Tulsa. After graduating with a degree in fine arts, and a short spell as an art and technology teacher, the singer-songwriter sent a demo to Hi-Style Records’ exec Jimmy Sutton.
McPherson later signed with Hi-Style Records who issued his debut full-length “Signs and Signifiers” in 2010. The album highlighted the singer-songwriter’s vintage sounding blues-rock, charted at No. 161 on the Billboard 200 upon its major-label rerelease in 2012, and won the 2012 Independent Music Award for Best Rock Album. Later in 2012 McPherson released the single “Your Love (All That I’m Missing)”, and was dubbed as an “Artist to Watch” by Rolling Stone Magazine. The musician was subsequently invited to tour alongside Nick Lowe on his tour of America’s West Coast.
The EP “The Warm Covers”, featuring McPherson’s take on songs by Billy Boy Arnold and Lowe, was issued in 2014, before he returned to the studio to focus on his follow-up album. “Let the Good Times Roll”, produced by Mark Neil, was released in February 2015, charting at No. 142 on the Billboard 200.
With a blues heart straight from Oklahoma, JD McPherson is a blessing from the blues God.
Take a look at his performance for KEXP back in 2012. I know it's perhaps dated, but it shows JD, Jonathon David McPherson, in his natural vibe. The double bass brings a funky jazz swing to it all, contrasting to JD singing 'I'm nothing but a country boy.' His music derives from the essence of popular music today: blues, jazz, country and classic rock n roll. JD is the perfect example of a rockabilly. Although stating that his music is old school, JD admits that he takes inspiration from various artists including Wu-Tang Clan and Pixies.
I admit I can't quite see the links myself but inspiration comes in all different types of forms. Whatever his inspiration is, JD produces faultless country rock music. He has a couple of shows commencing soon which could be paving way to the start of new material and a new record. Let's hope.