Remembering ‘JD’ On His Birthday With 5 Classics From The Blend

Calling all Friends of the Blend. Today we remember the great James 'JD' Drown on his 74th birthday. JD is best recollected as the visionary front man for the legendary Maine and New Hampshire band, The Blend (originally White Mountain National Blend).  He was born in Arundel on February 22, 1947.

In the Seventies, these Kennebunkport and Fryeburg country rockers were the #1 bar band around before signing with MCA Records in 1978. Their music was such a huge part of growing up in Maine for most of us over 50 kids. The Blend also had the honor of being the first band to play at the (then brand new) Cumberland County Civic Center in March of 1977 opening for ZZ Top.

40 plus years ago, we fondly recall a magical time when The Blend along with contemporaries like Bill Chinnock proved that artists from Maine could make it to the big stage. WBLM was fully committed to exposing these great local artists in the mix with the likes of Skynyrd, Zeppelin, and Aerosmith back in the day.

We remain proud of our history with The Blend and are more than happy to get their great songs on the air today when Blimpsters call for them. And believe me, they still do.

Watch this emotional salute to raise awareness of the Rusty Rocket Foundation and share JD's legacy. It was produced by friend and forever fan, Paul Tukey of Falmouth. You'll hear from some the people who were closest to JD. We are truly honored that some of it was shot here at the WBLM studios.

Sadly, James Drown passed away from cancer in 2002. The best tribute to JD is the ongoing fundraising to get instruments into the hands of school aged kids with the Rusty Rocket Foundation. Thank you JD, you will forever be in our hearts here in Blimpville.

Enjoy the sweet tunes! BTW...The Blend's epic song The Prize is the last one down, featuring a wicked scorchah of a guitar solo from JD. We knew you'd be looking for it.

 5 CLASSICS FROM THE BLEND