Known for his highly resonant voice and vintage-inspired sound that nods to '40s R&B and '50s rock & roll, JD McPherson has cut a distinctive path on the roots and Americana scenes. McPherson initially broke through with his propulsive 2010 single "North Side Gal" off his debut Signs Signifiers. Pairing with bassist/producer Jimmy Sutton, he quickly built a rabid following, and drew critical praise for his soulful analog aesthetic. Subsequent albums, like 2015's Let the Good Times Roll, and 2017's Undivided Heart Soul, continued to find McPherson building upon his old-school passions while showcasing ever-more stylistically adventurous collaborations with contemporaries like Lucius, Dan Auerbach, and Nicole Atkins.

Born in rural Buffalo Valley, Oklahoma, in 1977, McPherson grew up listening to a wide array of music from traditional country and rockabilly to punk and hip-hop. Although music was always an interest, the singer first worked on his family's cattle ranch and later earned a Master's degree in open media from Tulsa University, eventually teaching and receiving attention for his video art installations. It was while performing with the Tulsa-based roots ensemble the Starkweather Boys that his classic style caught the ear of Chicago retro-rock impresario Jimmy Sutton. He backed Sutton for a few shows and formulated an idea for his own solo project.

In 2010, he released his solo debut, the Sutton-produced Signs Signifiers (featuring the single "North Side Gal"), on Hi-Style Records. The video for the "North Side Gal" went viral and, along with a heavy touring schedule, helped build McPherson's fan base. Two years later, Signs Signifiers was re-released to a wider audience on Rounder Records and ultimately reached number 47 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart. That same year, McPherson was invited to join acclaimed British singer/songwriter Nick Lowe on a leg of his West Coast tour.

McPherson then whet fans' appetites with a 2014 covers EP before returning in 2015 with his sophomore full-length album, the Mark Neil-produced Let the Good Times Roll. Included on the album was the single "Bossy," as well as the track "Bridgebuilder," co-written with the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach. Well received, the album landed at number 17 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart.

In 2017, McPherson returned with his third full-length album, Undivided Heart Soul. Recorded in Nashville's historic RCA Studio B with Lucius drummer Dan Molad producing, the album found McPherson exploring a fuzztone, '60s-style R&B. Featured on the album are collaborations with Butch Walker, Parker Millsap, and Aaron Lee Tasjan. Also featured are guest spots from Lucius singers Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, Nicole Atkins, and the Raconteurs guitarist Jack Lawrence. Included on the album are the singles "Crying's Just a Thing That You Do" and "Lucky Penny." McPherson's first-ever holiday-themed album, Socks, arrived in 2018.~ Matt Collar, Rovi