Doobie Brothers Announce Reunion Album With Michael McDonald

Share This:

The Doobie Brothers’ McDonald, McFee, Johnston and Simmons (Photo: Clay Patrick McBride; used with permission)

The Doobie Brothers have announced a new studio album, Walk This Road, featuring former member Michael McDonald alongside Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston and John McFee in the recording studio, writers room and on an upcoming global tour. The title, coming June 6, 2025, on Rhino Records, is available for pre-order in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here. Listen to three of the tracks below.

On the day of the announcement, the Songwriters Hall of Fame also revealed that McDonald, Johnston and Simmons were among those selected for its Class of 2025.

From the January 22 press release: Walk This Road was recorded with producer John Shanks and showcases the band’s unique songwriting process and diverse stylistic perspectives. All three of the songwriting members of the band worked one-on-one with Shanks, bringing their individual vibes to their trusted producer and songwriting partner for what would be melded into one cohesive work, featuring the signature Doobie Brothers sound.

The title track, featuring Mavis Staples, embodies a sense of hope and togetherness, in terms of searching for the right path forward. “We all sang on ‘Walk This Road,’ that’s a different kind of track for us to do,” says Johnston. “I think it’s good to try to do things you haven’t done before, that’s the way it should be.”

“Getting back in with the guys and playing again is great,” said McDonald. “In my heart I’ve always been a Doobie Brother. We’ve all remained friends over the years. We’ve all been enjoying it tremendously, even more than we thought we would.”

The Doobie Brothers Walk This Road Track Listing
Walk this Road (Featuring Mavis Staples)
Angels & Mercy
Call Me
Learn to Let Go
State of Grace
Here to Stay
The Kind That Lasts
New Orleans
Speed of Pain
Lahaina

The Doobie Brothers have been known for delivering mind-blowing, roots based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll – all of which recently culminated in an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. They have sold more than 48 million albums and earned four GRAMMY® Awards. Their #1 singles, “Black Water” and “What a Fool Believes,” lead a catalog of classic rock recordings that include “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” “Jesus Is Just All Right,” “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “Take Me In Your Arms,” “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “Minute by Minute,” “You Belong to Me.” In 2021, the band kicked off their 50th anniversary tour which reunited Johnston, McDonald, Simmons, and McFee before concluding in 2022.