Longtime friend and colleague Jackson Browne Presented Souther with the ASCAP Golden Note Award on Monday, October 19 at Nashville’s Legendary Ryman Theatre

JD Souther, one of the principal architects of the Southern California country-rock sound, was honored Monday night, October 19, with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award during the 47th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, 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.

Jackson Browne presented the award to JD as part of a star-studded tribute segment during the ceremony.

“JD is one of the most literate, expressive songwriters I’ve ever heard,” said Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne, who arrived in Nashville on Monday afternoon to support his longtime friend Souther. “He’s also one of the most influential writers in this whole genre of music.”

Souther’s tribute included performances of several of his best-known compositions. Lee Ann Womack offered a plaintive “Faithless Love,” Rodney Crowell sang “New Kid In Town,” Love and Theft sang a harmony-drenched “You’re Only Lonely” and Souther himself took the Ryman stage for a version of “Best of My Love.”

Souther’s special guest for the evening was Jacqueline Benavides, a fan who won the honor via an essay contest through JD’s website. She created a video describing her love of JD’s music and the lengths to which she has gone to meet the man behind the songs.