At the end of 2024, The Doobie Brothers’ Patrick Simmons shared an update revealing that the band would be releasing a new album titled Walk This Road in the coming months. Now the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have announced official details about the new studio effort.
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Walk This Road will be released on June 6 and features 10 new original tunes. Two songs from the album, the title track and “Call Me,” have been released in conjunction with the announcement.
The song “Walk This Road” is a gospel- and soul-influenced tune that features guest vocals by Mavis Staples. All of The Doobie Brothers’ core members—Michael McDonald, Tom Johnston, Simmons, and John McFee—also sing on the track, which offers an uplifting message of unity.
“We all sang on ‘Walk This Road,’ that’s a different kind of track for us to do,” Johnston said in a statement. “I think it’s good to try to do things you haven’t done before, that’s the way it should be.”
“Call Me,” meanwhile, is a melodic roots-rock tune sung by Johnston.
McDonald, Johnston, and Simmons all lent their songwriting talents to Walk This Road’s various songs, with each co-writing material with the album’s producer, John Shanks.
Walk This Road also includes the song “Lahaina,” which The Doobie Brothers first released in November 2023. Some proceeds from that track are being donated help those affected by the devastating fires that struck the Hawaiian island of Maui in August 2023. “Lahaina” also features guest appearances by Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, and singer/songwriter Henry Kapono.
About McDonald’s Participation in the New Album
Walk This Road is the first collection of new Doobie Brothers songs to feature McDonald since the One Step Closer album in 1980. McDonald rejoined The Doobie Brothers’ lineup in 2021, when the band launched its 50th anniversary tour.
“Getting back in with the guys and playing again is great,” Michael said in a statement. “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.”
It’s worth noting that McDonald did appear on many of the tracks on The Doobie Brothers’ 2014 album, Southbound. That record showcased updated versions of classic songs by the band featuring guest appearances by various country artists.
Walk This Road Release Details
Walk This Road can be pre-ordered now. The album will be available on CD, as a vinyl LP, and via digital formats. The Doobie Brothers’ online store is offering an exclusive version of the LP pressed on tiger’s-eye vinyl.
Doobie Brothers to Be Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
The news about The Doobie Brothers’ new album coincides with the announcement that three of the band’s members—McDonald, Johnston, and Simmons—will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame this year. The 2025 induction ceremony will take place on June 12 at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York City.
Meanwhile, The Doobie Brothers are planning a 2025 tour to support Walk This Road, although no dates have been announced yet.
Walk This Road Track List:
- “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”
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