How cool is this? Every musician has influences and people they admire for their abilities and musical accomplishments. For a multi-instrumentalist player-singer such as the Doobies’ own John McFee, it’s hard to imagine a greater role model and musical inspiration than the legendary Glen Campbell.

Well, when the opportunity presented itself for John to work with Glen for a video recording session featuring songs from Glen’s new (August 19 release date) album, Meet Glen Campbell, John naturally jumped at the chance to play with one of his idols.

Without revealing too much about the session, suffice it to say that according to John “it was an unbelievable honor” to get to perform with Glen - both the newer music and some of Glen’s classics (including at least one of Glen’s songs that ranks at the top of the list of John’s all time favorite records).

An air date hasn’t been set yet for the video - check out Glen’s official web site for updates and more information about his new album, which includes some great material from what might be surprising sources (such as songs by Green Day, U2, and Tom Petty, among others). ]]> http://www.doobiebrothers.net/2008/07/22/john-glen%e2%80%a6/feed/ http://www.doobiebrothers.net/2008/07/16/meant-to-be/ http://www.doobiebrothers.net/2008/07/16/meant-to-be/#comments Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:21:56 +0000 doobies http://www.doobiebrothers.net/?p=93 It must have been meant to be - two Doobie Brothers playing on the opening track of Emmylou Harris’ beautiful new release, “All I Intended To Be”.

Meant to be because the tracks for the song, Jack Wesley Routh’s “Shores Of White Sand”, were recorded a number of years ago, and are only now becoming available to the public as part of Emmy’s special new album. The Doobie members playing on the tracks are the late Keith Knudsen on drums, which makes this a very precious recording indeed or those of us who loved Keith and his playing, and Doobie guitarist John McFee doing all the guitar work on the song.

As always, Emmylou delivers a wonderful album. Produced by Brian Ahern, one of the all time great record producers (besides Emmy’s first 11 solo albums he has produced records by Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, George Jones, Ricky Scaggs, and many others), this is music worth listening to. For more information, visit Emmylou’s official web site.

About the album:

“We’ve done a couple of sessions with Ted [Templeman, longtime Doobie Brothers producer - ed.], just really getting used to each other again … We hadn’t done anything with Ted for such a long time. I think that’s kind of the way it’s going to be with Bob, too, just kind of go in and get our feet wet a little bit with each other, get to know each other and stuff. But we’re looking forward to it.”

About the tour:

“We always pretty much do a lot of the songs that people have come to hear, the hits and stuff… That’s always part of the bargain. When you’re out there, people want to hear the songs that they grew up with and that they’re familiar with. Then we kind of sprinkle it with songs that we like to do, basically stuff that we’ve done through the years that maybe they weren’t hits, but they’re kind of things that we’ve enjoyed playing. We’re always kind of digging something out of the archives that we’ve never done before or haven’t done before or we haven’t done for years and years.”

Read the full article here…

Michael Rogers ID# 0924133 was arrested Sunday night, 06-01-08 at a local hotel. Rogers was involved in a scam where he was impersonating being a drummer for a band and offered extra services and access for a fee. Rogers was wanted in several cases where he impersonated the drummer of the Doobie Brothers.

If you have any additional cases at your hotel involving Rogers and this scam, call LVMPD Detective Jon Zeh at 702-400-1107.

Keep up on the latest Lara Johnston news, videos, and more at http://www.myspace.com/larajohnston.

The songs on the album were largely written in the aftermath of a series of emotionally challenging events in Carlene’s life, which may be one of the reasons for the depth of response the product is generating from both general public and critics alike. Within an eight month period a few years back, Carlene lost her mother June, her long time companion Howie Epstein (bass player of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), her stepfather Johnny Cash, and her sister Rosie.

A good example of the reaction the record is getting would be these comments from two songwriters whose work surely ranks among the best writing of the past half century:

• “I couldn’t let a day go by without writing a note about C.C.’s record. It is astounding.” Elvis Costello
• “A staggering achievement by one of the great voices and fearless hearts of country rock.” Bernie Taupin

A sampling of critics’ comments:

• “…has the kick and luster of Carter’s best songs from the ’80s and ’90s. It’s an ironically joyous, even witty CD, filled with the kind of rollicking roots rock that extends the great American legacy that lives in Carter’s genes.” New York Daily News
• “Carter sounds as strong as she’s ever been—stronger… A magnificent, and welcome, return” Harp Magazine
• “While definitely among Carter’s best work, it may well stand as one of the best albums of this year.” Country Standard Time
• “The album title says it best. Carlene Carter’s musicianship is stronger than ever.” Pop Matters
• This is what you want playing when the open road lies ahead and the top is down. Betcha this is the comeback story of the year.” Midwest Record
• “…there’s not a dud note in earshot here, whether she’s essaying high-stepping, Burrito-esque hillbilly rockers or more traditional-toned pieces in mandolin, dobro and autoharp. Comeback of the year, no contest.” The Independent (London, England)

You can give the entire album a listen for free by clicking here for Carlene’s record company’s (Yep Roc Records) web site where they have a streaming audio player of the album - check it out. You can purchase the album at Amazon, iTunes Music Store, and other major music retailers.

Two of America’s longest running and most respected classic rock bands join forces for 2008 summer tour. Please note that The Official Doobie Brothers Website is the first to announce these dates, and that tickets may not be on sale at this time.

View the Doobie Brothers / Chicago Summer 2008 Tour Dates here…

• The band is finalizing their tour schedule for 2008, which will include a US summer tour with Chicago (about 25 shows.)
• The Doobie Brothers have also been working on new material in the studio with longtime producer Ted Templeman (who produced 12 of the Doobies’ classic albums) for the first time since the One Step Closer album in 1980!

More news to come…

Yes, that’s John’s lead guitar and pedal steel work on such classics as Alison, The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes, Miracle Man, Waiting For The End Of The World, and the entire original album. For the first time ever, the musicians who played on the My Aim Is True sessions performed the entire album publicly with Elvis - and then the music continued with a number of solo acoustic numbers by Mr. Costello, and the band came back to join Elvis for what would normally pass for another show’s worth of material (including out-takes from the My Aim Is True sessions and two of Elvis’ favorite Clover songs). Former Marin County group Clover members Sean Hopper (keyboardist from Huey Lewis and the News), John Ciambotti (bass player on Grammy award winning albums by John Prine and Lucinda Williams), and John McFee were joined by drummer Pete Thomas (of Elvis’ Attractions and Imposters fame). This alone would be enough to make it a special occasion, but the fact that the shows were benefit performances for a very worthy cause made it even more memorable.

The sold out shows took place at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, and the proceeds are going towards the Richard de Lone Special Housing Project, an organization founded by Elvis’ long time friend and sometimes keyboard player, Austin de Lone. The organization is named for Austin’s son Richard, and is a resource for those who, like young Richard, suffer from Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information please visit their web site. Austin, along with “Dieselbilly” guitarist Bill Kirchen (Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen) performed an opening set for the evening, and also joined Elvis and Clover for several numbers - including the evening’s finale song, My Aim Is True producer Nick Lowe’s What’s So Funny ’bout Peace, Love and Understanding.

The event was a great success, and was recorded as well, so those of you who were unable to attend may be able to listen to the music soon. This is what San Francisco’s premier music critic Joel Selvin had to say about it all after attending the show: “Every so often, once every 10 or 15 years maybe, there’s a nightclub show as special as the Elvis Costello performance Thursday at the Great American Music Hall. Maybe not even that often.” Enough said…

Our annual Benefit Concert for the National Veterans Foundation at BR Cohn Winery was a blast! We were honored to perform with Huey Lewis and the News, Tower of Power, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, Three Dog Night, Los Lobos, Canned Heat, Taj Mahal, and Civil Twilight (with The Lara Johnston Band and Pat Simmons, Junior opening the show.) Check out the cool photo gallery on the BR Cohn website.

As the Band finishes up the last few shows of the year, we are beginning to look at songwriting and recording a new album for everyone’s enjoyment! Also, Pat Simmons and Bruce Cohn are working on a DVD retrospective project of the band’s wild and crazy history from 1970 to the present. Watch this space for more news on those items soon!