JD Willis is a 35 year old singer/songwriter from Cecil County, Maryland. Being raised around country musicians, Willis took inspiration from his grandfather and uncle, and taught himself how to play guitar at just 13 years old. At age 16, Willis joined his first band (metal) which received brief radio recognition in the United Kingdom.

In 2013, Willis toured the East Coast with Nashville Recording Artist, Lindsey Erin. During this time, Willis had the opportunity to play in opening spots for various national musicians/musical groups: Shooter Jennings, Love and Theft, Montgomery Gentry, Chase Rice and Joe Diffie (to name a few).

In 2014, Willis became a founding member and rhythm guitar player of his previous band, Southern Tyde. From 2014-2019, the group traveled up and down the East Coast, playing various venues, concert series, music festivals, etc. Southern Tyde won several contests which led them to showcase for Sony Music Group in Nashville, Tennessee and the Meadowlands in New Jersey. While a member of Southern Tyde, Willis had the opportunity to play in opening spots for Lindsey El, Brett Eldridge and David Allen Coe. During this time period, Willis’ passion for songwriting grew as the group recorded and released a handful of originals. In a desire to further his musical career and grow as a musician, singer and songwriter, JD Willis made the decision to leave Southern Tyde in 2019 and become an independent artist.

In 2019, Willis hit the ground running by playing local acoustic shows and songwriting. He formed a band (“The Cecil Smoke”) and the group immediately began recording Willis’ music. In June of 2020, Willis released his first EP “Volume .5”, as a way to showcase himself on a musical and personal level. This EP is a collaboration of hard rock, southern rock and country. Shortly after the release of his EP, Willis was featured on 94.7 WDSD’s podcast “Nashville’s Next” and his song “I’d Settle for a Jake” received radio airplay. In October of 2020, Willis released a single titled “Appalachian Prayer” which focus’ on the element of storytelling. While writing this song, Willis decided that banjo was a needed instrument and was fortunate to have one of his favorite banjo players, Daniel Mason (Hank III, IV & The Strange Band), be featured on the track.

In 2021, Willis and his band “The Cecil Smoke” made their debut at a number of new music venues and music festivals. 

Since, Willis has released a number of singles. In 2022, Willis and his band joined another local artist, Forsaken, playing shows, opening up for artists like Moonshine Bandits, Struggle Jennings and Colt Ford. In 2022, Willis and Forsaken released “Bench Seat Paid” in which strayed from Willis’ typical sound.

In 2026, Willis released two singles “Hard Road” and “Can’t Quit You”. His latest release “Between Us" is a male/female duet featuring local artist Olivia Reynolds, and brings both sides of a secret relationship to life. Blending gritty distorted guitars, heavy drums, and soaring harmonies, it captures a cycle of temptation, regret, and undeniable chemistry, like spinning tires on a back road, burning fuel but going nowhere.Take a listen by clicking below!