J. D. Blair

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J. D. Blair, "The Groove Regulator"

JD Blair is an American drummer. He has released four solo albums, and is mentioned as an influential character in Victor Wooten's book The Music Lesson as well as Wooten's DVD Groove Workshop.

Early life

Blair was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is an AFM #369 member and a founding member of Mu Phi Sigma, National Percussion Fraternity, Incorporated. His work reaches across all musical genres, which began in church. His formal training started while attending Lee High School in Huntsville, Alabama. Bob Baccus was his instructor. Afterwards, J. D. was recruited by John Paul Lindberg to attend Norfolk State University. He also attended Alabama A & M University as a Telecommunications Major.

Career

J. D. has played with some of the biggest names in country music, including Wynonna Judd, Lyle Lovett, Shelby Lynne, Big and Rich, and Shania Twain. Along with a host of video and worldwide TV appearances, J. D. has received many awards for his accomplishments, including Drum! Magazine’s 2000 Country Drummer of the Year. He also has been awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. The Groove Regulator has released a project entitled, "2012?”. Vix Records, LLC is the home of this project. 2013 saw J. D. playing dates on Victor Wooten's Sword and Stone, Words and Tones Tour. J. D. was the drummer for Shania Twain's "Still the One" show in Las Vegas. You may see their work on her CD/DVD, "Live in Las Vegas." Expect a new audio project in 2016. Guests musicians include Dane Bryant, Otiel Burbridge, Victor Caldwell, Jeff Carruthers, Kat Dyson, Will Hollis, Jeff Lorber, Gray Mayfield, Rod McGaha, Jason Mowery, Keith Nelson, Dave Richardson, Giovanni Rodriquez, Justin Schipper, Eric Struthers, Crystal Taliefero, Darrell Tibbs, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Kirk Whalum, and Victor Wooten. Victor and J. D. will be performing as, 2 Minds, 1 Groove. Periodically, they will be joined by, "The Teacha", Regi Wooten.

Partial artist discography

Yolanda Adams, Eddie “Spanky” Alford, Sam “Shake” Anderson, India.Arie, Bob Babbitt, A Special Blend, Ayla Brown, Larry Carlton, Jeff Carruthers, Bootsy Collins, George Duke, First Call, Tommy Emmanuel, The Eternal Chariot Singers, Anthony Gomes, Heirborne, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Paul Jackson, Jr., Wynonna Judd, Phil Keaggy, Chris Kent, Matthews, Wright, & King, Erin Leahy, Jeff Lorber, Lyle Lovett, Shelby Lynne, Yo-Yo Ma, Natalie MacMaster, Donnie McClurkin, Donna McElroy, Rod McGaha, Gary Motley, Point Of Grace, Riapsedon, Mike Stern, Take 6, Takana, Shane Theriot, Shania Twain, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Kirk Whalum, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Joseph, Regi, Roy, & Victor Wooten.

Video credits

• "Still The One - Live in Las Vegas" - Shania Twain
• “Fake ID” - Big and Rich
• "Holiday On Ice" - Natalie MacMaster
• “UP!” Chicago Live – Shania Twain
• “Not Just A Pretty Face” – Shania Twain
• “Come On Over” – Shania Twain
• “Honey I’m Home” - Shania Twain
• “Open Praise” – Madison Mission Mass Choir
• “I Hung It Up” – Junior Brown
• “No Way Out” – Suzy Bogguss
• “Slow Me Down” – Shelby Lynne
• "I Got A Love" - Matthews, Wright, & King
• “Come Together” – Delbert McClinton
• “One More For The Road” – Suzy Bogguss & Chet Atkins
• “Church Song” – Lyle Lovett
• “Crazy When It Comes To You” – Margaret Bell
• “Walls” – DC Talk

Tours

• 2015 - Solo Artist, & Victor Wooten
• 2014 - Shania Twain, & Victor Wooten
• 2013 - Artist, Shania Twain, & Victor Wooten
• 2012 - Artist, Natalie MacMaster, Shania Twain & Victor Wooten
• 2011 - Natalie MacMaster & Victor Wooten
• 2010 - Natalie MacMaster & Victor Wooten
• 2009 - Natalie MacMaster & Victor Wooten
• 2008 - The Ascenxion Project, Digby, & Natalie MacMaster
• 2007 - The Ascenxion Project, Digby, & Natalie MacMaster
• 2004 - Shania Twain & Victor Wooten
• 2003 - Shania Twain & Victor Wooten
• 2002 - Wynonna Judd & Shania Twain
• 2001 - Point Of Grace & Victor Wooten
• 2000 - Shelby Lynne, Take 6, & Victor Wooten
• 1999 - Victor Wooten
• 1998 - Shania Twain & Victor Wooten
• 1997 - Rod McGaha & Victor Wooten
• 1996 - Take 6 & Victor Wooten
• 1995 - Shelby Lynne & Take 6
• 1994 - Shelby Lynne
• 1993 - Matthews, Wright, & King
• 1992 - Lyle Lovett’s Large Band

Film credits

• “America’s Dumbest Criminals” (Nationally Syndicated) Role: Undercover Cop & Uniformed Policeman. Prod. Co. & Director: Enthos/Scene Three, Inc; Glenn Petach
• “Finally Gets Wings!” Role: Krystal Patron. Prod. Co. & Director: Ogilvy & Mather/Atlanta
• “Crocodile Shoes” Role: Chester the Drummer. Prod. Co. & Director: Big Boy Productions; Robert Knights

Recordings as a solo artist

• "Grace" (2016 release.)
• “2012?” on Vix Records, LLC.
• “3HREE”
• “Come On!”
• “Regulated!”