NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwire - September 8, 2009) - J.D. Souther, one of the principal architects
of the Southern California country-rock sound, will be honored with the
prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award at the 47th annual ASCAP Country Music
Awards, Monday, October 19, at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium. The
ASCAP Golden Note Award is presented to songwriters, composers and artists
who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Past recipients include
Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Jam &
Terry Lewis, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, André Previn and Tom Petty among
others.
Commenting on Souther's honor, ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board,
Paul Williams said, "J.D. Souther's songs are unique. Written from the
heart of a rock and roll rebel, their sensitivity and grace have earned
them a permanent home in the great American songbook. They're the songs
James Dean would have written if he'd been a writer. We've been friends
for more years than either of us will admit to and I'm delighted to see his
genius recognized."
Souther is best known for his well-crafted songwriting abilities. He
co-wrote some of the biggest hits for the Eagles including "Best of My
Love," "Heartache Tonight," "New Kid In Town," and "Victim of Love" as well
as "How Long," a single from their 2007 release, "Long Road Out of Eden,"
that was originally recorded by him on a solo album in 1972. Artists
including George Strait, The Dixie Chicks, Glen Campbell, India.Arie and
Michael Bublé have recorded his songs. He's also written several hits for
Linda Ronstadt including "Faithless Love" and "White Rhythm and Blues,"
produced her "Don't Cry Now" album and recorded several duets with her,
most notably "Prisoner in Disguise" and "Sometimes You Can't Win." As an
artist the Texas-raised singer charted two Top 10 hits with "You're Only
Lonely," and "Her Town Too," a duet with James Taylor. After a 25-year
break from recording, Souther released "If The World Was You" in 2008.
"Having written hits for nearly four decades, J.D. Souther is in a class
all his own," said Connie Bradley, ASCAP Senior Vice President. "Many of
the hits he's written have become part of the soundtrack of the lives of
multiple generations. We are thrilled to honor J.D. with the ASCAP Golden
Note Award."
The ASCAP Country Music Awards is an invitation-only gala that will also
salute the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed country
songs of the past year. Special awards will be given to the Songwriter of
the Year, Songwriter/Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of
the Year. A party honoring the evening's winners will follow the awards
ceremony.
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights
Organization (PRO) representing the world's largest repertory totaling over
8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more
than 350,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has
representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the
ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world
where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and
foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their
copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed
performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its
writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com