JD Dohnal

JD Dohnal

  • Country - Rock
  • Nashville, TN
  • Song Plays: 7,779
Sign Up To Follow Tip Share

Songs

Viewing 8 of 58 Songs
View All Songs Buy All Songs
A Moment of Silence
Country - General
Plays: 1
Spare A Prayer
Country - Contemporary
Plays: 48
The Darkest Dark Isn't Black
Rock - Modern
Plays: 18
Bumps and Bruises
Country - General
Plays: 9
She's Not You
Country - General
Plays: 229
This House Is Haunted
Pop - Easy Listening
Plays: 123
In Time
Pop - General
Plays: 136
Wishing Well
Pop - Easy Listening
Plays: 334
View All Songs Buy All Songs

Events

This Artist has 31 Upcoming Events
View All Events
11Apr
More Info Share

Corporate Event w/ TOP TIER

18Apr
More Info Share

Fundraiser w/ TOP TIER

23Apr
More Info Share

Fundraiser w/ TOP TIER

JD Dohnal is an award-winning, Nashville-based songwriter/musician/producer who's songs have been used in over 80 TV shows, 3 movies, advertising, and recorded by several artists. JD writes in a variety of styles but mainly focuses on the country market. He takes pride in coming up with clever hooks, double entendre story lines, and great melodies. JD tries to write songs that evoke some sort of emotion, or at the very least, make you smile and bob your head. Please check out his song page to get a taste of several styles of music he has written: country, rock, pop, adult contemporary, etc.

Latest News

2026 Yearly Update

I think I'm actually 2 years behind on doing an update--life and the years are going by music too quickly!  Thankfully, AI hasn't taken all the song placements (yet) and I've had quote a few TV placement and some indie artist cuts the last couple years.  Last year some of my favorites song placements were 3 different times on Sunday Night Football, twice in the Paris Olympics, twice on Nascar shows, and 5 different episodes of a FOX Weather Special.  It brings the total to over 80 song placements in TV shows!  I'm so exremely grateful for each one, no matter how big or small. This year I'm being more productive than I have in quite a while with new songs, or at least I'm finally recording some songs I had written long ago.


I hope you all have a safe & blessed 2026!  - JD

Bio for JD Dohnal

JD Dohnal is a Nashville-based songwriter/musician/producer with over 80 song placements in TV shows and 3 placements in movies. JD writes in a variety of styles, has won many awards, has had his songs used in TV, film, advertising, and recorded by various artists.

"Jammin" JD was born and raised in the frozen tundra of Green Bay, WI and then headed to Minneapolis, MN where he was a guitar major at Music Tech of Minneapolis (now named McNally Smith School of Music). After being featured on two compilation CDs that showcased some of the state's top writers, he moved to Nashville, TN so he could truly pursue songwriting.

Below are some of his highlights:

* His song "Falling" being used in the 2009 Warner Bros movie "Observe and Report" and as the theme song in the 2023 movie "Take Me To Banue".

* His song "Christmas Cheer" being used for the Disney movie "Noelle" in 2019 and "NCIS: Los Angeles" on CBS

* His song "Hillbilly Hollywood" being used on the ABC show "Nashville".

* His song "Back To Her Roots" being featured for the hit show "CSI".

* His song "Thank God For The Weekend" being used numerous times for NBC's "Access Hollywood", "Sunday Night Football", and about 20 other shows and networks.

* His song "Hillbilly Hollywood" being used for "Limitless" on CBS

* His music has aired on ABC, NBC, CBS, HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, ESPN, MTV, SPIKE, DISNEY, USA NETWORK, ANIMAL PLANET, FOX, NEWS, GOLF CHANNEL, TLC, OUTDOOR CHANNEL, and many other networks.

* His songs are played throughout Europe as in-store music at countless restaurants and retailers.

* Had songs used in ads by major companies such at Beachbody and Talenti Gelato.

* Had songs recorded by artists in Australia, Germany, Canada, and the United States.

* Has done work-for-hire songwriting/production projects for Killer Tracks/Universal Music Group in Los Angeles.

* Has non-exclusive publishing contracts with publishers in Nashville, Los Angeles, England, Canada, and elsewhere.

* Grand Prize winner in the 2022 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (country category) with "She's Not You".

* Finalist winner in the 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (rock category) with "It's Not Over".

* Grand Prize winner in the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (country category) with "Beatles Without John".

* Grand Prize winner in the 2008 USA Songwriting Competition (country category) with "Month of Mondays".

* Grand Prize winner in the 2004 Nashville Song Search.

* Winner in the 2009 International Songwriting Contest, and the 2010 Indie International Songwriting contest.

When JD's not writing lyrics on napkins, singing into his iPhone, or cheering for the Packers, JD loves to be on stage. He's been on the same bill as such notable acts as The Cars, Rick Springfield, Craig Morgan, Ambrosia, Daryle Singletary, and John Ford Coley. He is the founder/bassist/manager of "Top Tier" -- a top-notch private events band that performs throughout the United States. He takes his music seriously, but not himself. He was born to be on stage, and is known for his high-energy, crazy, and often humorous stage antics. Whether it's dancing on a tabletop, doing the pogo while rockin' out, or facilitating the famous "bass limbo", JD is always sure to entertain.

JD Dohnal Website
JD Dohnal on Facebook
JD Dohnal on Twitter
JD Dohnal on YouTube
JD Dohnal on Instagram
JD Dohnal on Pinterest

Videos

This Artist has 5 Videos
View All Videos

Comments

Author

Hi JD Dohnal,
I recently listened to your track "Spare A Prayer" and spent some time listening. The production and overall feelings really stood out to me, it has a clear direction and the melody feels more than a casual release. The arrangement and sound choice really gave it a strong, placement ready, vibe.
Just wanted to reach out and say you're building something solid here. Always good to see intentional work on Broadjam.
Are you currently focusing more on sync opportunities, streaming growth, or just creating freely at the moment?

9 Replies
 
JD Dohnal
over 30 days ago

Hi Patrick,
I sure appreciate you taking the time to listen to "Spare A Prayer" and all the kind words about it! That means a lot to me. My focus is mainly on sync opportunities, but in doing that I still try to write quality songs that could be cut by artists. I often write in whatever style I'm feeling at the moment, so in that regard I'm usually creating freely, but with commercial sensibilities in mind.

Hey JD,
That actually makes a lot of sense. The artists who tend to do well with sync usually fall into that exact space, writing freely but still keeping commercial structure and emotion in the music.
When I listened to Spare A Prayer, one thing that stood out to me was that it already has a very placement friendly emotional arc, which is something supervisors tend to respond to when they're searching for reflective or cinematic moments.
A lot of talented writers on Broadjam are already creating strong songs, but the part that usually holds them back isn't the music itself, but it's how the catalog is positioned and prepared for licensing opportunities.

If i may ask, how large is your catalog right now? Do you mainly have finished masters that's ready to pitch, or are you still building the library?

Patrick

JD Dohnal
4 weeks ago

Hi Patrick,
I've been involved with sync for quite a while and have had over 80 TV/film placements (most of those through Universal Music). I have many finished masters (of somewhat varying production quality since recorded over many years), but I have one music library that has about 50 of my songs, and gets steady in-store overhead radio action on almost all of them. I'm always happy to work with new libraries as long as it's a non-exclusive agreement and of course fair terms.
Thanks, JD

Hi JD,
That's impressive!, 80+ placements is no small achievement, especially having that relationship with Universal. That already tells me you're doing a lot of things right on the writing side.

What usually makes the biggest difference at that stage isn't necessarily writing more songs, but making sure the catalog is positioned in a way that continues generating placements consistently over time. A lot of strong writers I work with have material recorded across different years and production levels, and with the right catalog structuring and pitching strategy it can actually open up new opportunities instead of just sitting in libraries.

I also completely understand your preference for non-exclusive deals and fair terms. That's actually the structure I tend to work around when helping writers prepare catalogs for additional licensing channels.
If we ever move forward on anything together, my role would mainly be to help optimize and position the catalog so it performs better with supervisors and libraries, and if everything aligns and the material fits the opportunities I work with, I'm always open to pitching strategically on the artist's behalf as well.
The main thing I ask from writers I work with is simply following the catalog structure and preparation process I outline, because that's what allows me to confidently put material in front of industry contacts.
Out of curiosity, with the catalog you have now, do you keep everything organized specifically for sync pitching, or is most of it spread across different libraries and releases?

Patrick

JD Dohnal
4 weeks ago

Hi Patrick,
I did some work-for-hire sync songwriting for Universal in the past, but currently not doing new projects for them (yet still get some new placements). I don't have my catalog specifically organized for sync. I provide the metadata when needed. I have songs spread across several libraries and releases. What is it exactly that you do? Do you have a business website? -- JD

Hi JD,
That makes sense, and honestly your background with Universal and the placements you've already had puts you in a very solid position.
What I mainly do is work with writers who already have strong catalogs and help optimize and structure their music specifically for licensing and sync opportunities. A lot of the time the songs themselves are already strong, but the catalog organization, positioning, and pitching strategy is what determines how consistently they continue to land placements.

Part of my work involves catalog optimization, sync strategy, and preparing material in a way that makes it easier for supervisors and libraries to work with, especially when the music has been created across different periods or productions like you mentioned.

Yes, I do have a website that explains the process and the type of artists I work with. It's a bit easier to share and explain everything over email rather than here on Broadjam.
If you're open to it, feel free to send me your best email and I'll forward you the link along with a short breakdown of how the process works.

Patrick

JD Dohnal
4 weeks ago

Hi Patrick,
I'm happy check out your website to get more info. You can email me the link and more info at midnight-karma@hotmail.com.
Thanks, JD

JD Dohnal
3 weeks ago

Hi Patrick, I never saw an email with your info come through, so if you did send it, please send it again, and I'll be sure to check my spam folder closer in case it ended up in there. -- JD

Alright



Author
Steve Purcell9466442
over 30 days ago to JD Dohnal

Hello,
I'm new here. I'm based out of Nashville, Tn.
any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.

2 Replies
 
JD Dohnal
over 30 days ago

Hey Steve, Welcome to Nashville! I'd suggest going to different writers nights for networking and to see the variety of music that gets written here. Best of luck!

Steve Purcell9466442
over 30 days ago

Thanks JD.. much appreciated..



Author
Julia Schmidt
over 30 days ago to JD Dohnal

Hi! " if only" is an amazing modern rock song!! Could def. hear " 3 doors down" with this one:))!! Great lyrics and vocals are fantastic! Love your variety of choices of music to listen to... Great country songs as well!loved " wishing well" sweet - tender hearted lyrics painted such a picture:) great vocals as well!!! Blessings to ya and I will be connecting:))..... Julia

4 Replies
 
JD Dohnal
over 30 days ago

Hi Julia, thanks so very much for dropping me a note and the super sweet words!! I love to write a wide variety of styles because I love a wide variety of styles (and it keeps it fun:) I also think "If Only" would be perfect for 3 Doors Down. "Wishing Well" is one of my all-time favorites since the lyrics are so personal to me. Thanks again for your praise and stay in touch! :) --JD

Julia Schmidt
over 30 days ago

You are welcome!! Hope you drop by for a few listens yourself:)) I have a a variety of music as well!! I do demos for other songwriter' here... And was just notified " the gift" had been selected for the country- contemp opp. And that same song, I came in 2nd for the singer universe contest( May 2014).... Have a great day!

JD Dohnal
over 30 days ago

Beautiful voice Julie!! I especially like your sultry, jazz style like on "Home For Christmas". You nail that! I'm off to play some shows this weekend. I hope you have a great one!

Julia Schmidt
over 30 days ago

Why thank you very much!!!:) appreciate it!! Have a great weekend!!!



JD Dohnal Friends

Clean Clean

Clean Clean

Artist Name
00:00 / 00:00