The people say his voice reminds them of Johny Cash & Jim Morrison.  Before the rock n' roll, JD was a lounge vocalist singing the hits of Sinatra.  Being the grandson of a jazz drummer one would have thought percussion would be the way to go?  Drums were not to be and instead JD won the National School Choral Award....take that drums!  A student of Bobby Kelly, former vocalist of the Four Freshmen, JD was taught about phrasing and bringing life to a song.  JD sang his way through his home state of Illinois and would make guest appearances in Florida with Bobby Kelly.  He really appreciates the classics and what they mean. 
Besides Sinatra, JD grew up listening to the oldies.  The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Marvin Gaye, The Eagles, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers and the list goes on. " This was a time when music and lyrics truly meant something."  JD later became a spokesperson for TIME LIFE selling huge collections of music...no...JD later met Scott who happened to be a guitar player in love with classic rock.   JD wanted to break away from the Sinatra routine and Scott was looking for a unique voice and thus the Steel Chops were born.  One part that rings true in the lyrics JD writes and sings is that they contain real emotion.  "Being up on stage with the Steel Chops is one of the greatest things in the world!"