Now officially minted as the newest member of the band, J.D. is primed to show the world his many talents and special brand of energy that he puts into all he does. Although creatively driven to excel, J.D. has an amiable, easygoing side that is disarming to all he meets - creating new friends everywhere he goes. Truly a star after the many episodes of the show made him a household name among worldwide viewers and INXS fans, J.D. can now bask in the out-of-the-box success of new single 'Pretty Vegas' co-written with Andrew Farriss. A savvy slice of rock 'n' roll with its unforgettable hook line and lyrics ("It ain't pretty") and a pumping garage band feel, 'Pretty Vegas' points the way forward for the new INXS. J.D. may have appeared only recently on the international scene, but he has an interesting background which brought him to this challenging stage in his career.

"It was a decision that was tough to make. For the five original members of the band, it had to feel right to us. Ultimately we decided that J.D. was the guy who most suited INXS. It just felt right. I don't know how to explain it." Andrew Farriss

Born 1 September 1973 and recently turning 32, J.D. was born in Mississauga, Ontario Canada and raised in the countryside just outside of Nova Scotia. Relocating to Toronto with his mother and sister as a teenager, J.D. has been on a rollercoaster ride ever since - a journey filled with much more than the normal ups and downs. From leaving high school early to take a job working in Canadian television to a short stint in the Army and alternately fronting a rock band (Juice), moonlighting as an Elvis impersonator and living in his car, J.D. has an abundance of life experience in which to draw from. The body and mind discipline of martial arts keeps him fit and agile, while a strict vegetarian diet adds greatly to his outlook and health.

Since the finale of Rock Star: INXS, J.D. has been very busy with completing the new INXS album, Switch, at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles with producer Guy Chambers and attending to the many press demands and appearances requested of him from around the world. On the new album, J.D. co-wrote three tracks - 'Pretty Vegas' and 'Devil's Party' with Andrew, and 'Never Let You Go' with Jon Farriss. A powerful and emotive singer, J.D. polished off the rest of the lead vocals on Switch in high style and record time, impressing the band with his unwavering enthusiasm and knack catchy phrases in the process.

"I can't get that damn song 'Pretty Vegas' out of my head!" Kirk Pengilly

Thin, trim and tall, J.D. brings a unique sense of style and a youthful confident swagger to the band - as evidenced in the striking new video for 'Pretty Vegas'. He has his work cut out for him filling the space left by the departed Michael Hutchence, but is more than up for the task. Possessing a vocal register not too far removed from Michael, the older INXS songs will have a familiar ring while the new songs will blend seamlessly into the set creating a solid fit all around. The coming months for J.D. will be spent in preparation for the INXS Switched On World Tour that commencing in Vancouver Canada on 18 January 2006.