Song writer J.D. Souther admitted to being "snotty" Friday night as he repeatedly went passive aggressive on Jonathan Cain, a fellow legend.
I kept thinking, now I know why Don Henley thinks it's cool to be an arrogant jackass!
The scene was a Tin Pan South event in a packed room at The Hard Rock Cafe Nashville. There, lined up on stage, were 4 incredible artists:
Jonathan Cain, who wrote many of Journey's greatest hits.
Brett James, who wrote four #1's last year.
Alyssa Bonagura, a youngster with rare talent.
And, Souther, with his foundational contribution to The Eagles catalog and other classics like "You're Only Lonely".
Cain began the night with a medley of the songs he contributed to Journey - tunes that sold 20 million copies of Journey's Greatest Hits. When J.D. Souther's turn came around, he snidely described the melody as "chicken" and then showed Cain who his daddy was with an astounding rendition of New Kid in Town.
That's the thing: Souther could say anything he wanted and then back it up with his book of music. He could have let the music speak for itself and everyone would have noticed the contrast between Souther's and Cain's style: Poetry set to rock music and Pop cotton candy. Heartache Tonight vs. Don't Stop Believing. Best of My Love vs. Lovin Touchin' Squeezin'. Souther anchored the songwriter's rotation leaving Cain to follow him every time in the next round. By the end of the night, Cain became the peanut butter in a Souther sandwich.
Souther: Plays New Kid in Town
Cain: Brings the crowd to its feet with Don't Stop Believin'.
Then the youngster Alyssa Bonagura offered a tribute to Souther by performing Faithless Love (along with her parents Michael Bonagura and Kathie Baillie of "Baillie & The Boys").
Souther even kicked Cain off his own keyboard so J.D.'s favored pianist could accompany him. Anchoring the set, Souther glanced back at Cain and said, "What did Journey's Greatest Hits do? 10 million?" Souther chuckled as we all knew what was coming: (Eagles Greatest Hits) "30 million."