Doobies announce new drummer

Putting an end to rumors and speculation, the Doobie Brothers have announced Ed Toth (pronounced like “both”) as their new drummer to sit alongside Mike Hossack. You may already be familiar with Ed’s fantastic work with Vertical Horizon - if not, check it out!

UPDATE: The Doobies have also issued the following statement:

This week we held auditions for a new drummer. As most of you may have already heard we have hired Ed Toth, former drummer for the band Vertical Horizon. At the auditions we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play with some great drummers and we wish we could have hired them all. We wanted to post this message to express our gratitude and to thank all of them for their time and efforts.

We also want to thank M.B. Gordy for filling in and playing with us for these past few years. We wish him well and hope our paths cross again sometime.

See you at a show this summer.

Thanks,
- From the Doobies

Doobie Brothers to play July 4th with the legendary Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and more

On July 4th, 2005, the Doobies will be playing Willie Nelson’s 32nd annual Picnic in Forth Worth, Texas. Besides the Doobies and Willie, the lineup for the all-day festival this year includes Bob Dylan, Los Lonely Boys, Ray Price, David Allan Coe, and many more more!

For more information, check out the event website here.
-Doobies Webmaster

John McFee reunites with Elvis Costello for a special evening at the Wiltern

Many fans may be aware of John McFee’s history with Elvis Costello, beginning with his former band Clover providing the backing to Elvis’ classic debut album, My Aim Is True. On Saturday, March 26th, 2005 at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, John made a special guest appearance during Elvis’ set, performing on songs he worked on the original recordings of with Elvis from My Aim Is True, Almost Blue, and Elvis’ most recent album, The Delivery Man.
-Doobies Webmaster

B.R. Cohn celebrates the marriage of wine and music

Those of you who have followed the band through the years have probably noticed the name of Bruce Cohn, the band’s manager for over 35 years, on album credits, tour books, and such. Ever reticent to step into the spotlight, we’ve discovered that Bruce has quietly been accumulating kudos for products from his vineyard under his BR Cohn/Olive Hill Vineyard label.

The 2002 Doobie Red Collector Series is a limited production set, bearing three album covers, and is sure to be a great hit! This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc from Sonoma County. It offers exceptional fruit flavors of black cherry and plum.

There will be three album covers released every year for the next four years, all of The Doobie Brothers releases, making it a complete set. View the Sales Sheet for more information. The wine can be ordered at the BR Cohn Site. A portion of the proceeds from this wine will be donated to the National Veterans Foundation. UPDATE (02-25-05): Doobie Red is now featured as the Playboy.com Drink Of The Week!
-Doobies Webmaster

Forever a Brother

For the first time ever this writer has found himself at a loss for words. As many of you may have already heard, our beloved friend, brother, and drummer Keith Knudsen has passed on. On this page I will simply post a letter sent to our fans by Cris Simmons:

Just a note to thank all of you for your thoughtful notes and recollections of our friend Keith. I spoke to Kate Knudsen, Keith’s wife, just a few minutes ago and she asked me to send along her and their daughter Dayna’s heartfelt thanks for all the messages, and to ask you to keep Keith in your thoughts and prayers.

There will be a private memorial for Keith sometime this weekend for his family and band members only. At this point, we are not sure if there will any other public services, but we will post a message to our Fan Club list and on our website if there is to be one.

Memorial contributions in Keith’s name can be made to the National Veterans Foundation, 9841 Airport Blvd., Suite 512, Los Angeles, CA 90045. As many of you may already know, Keith has worked tirelessly for the NVF since the late 80’s and has been a major factor in helping them all these years. I’m sure he would appreciate you remembering him in this way. He will be missed by all of us, but will be with us always.
-The Doobie Brothers

Irreplaceable instrument returned to Pat Simmons

Okay… this is one article we are very happy to write. Thanks to the great, beyond the call of duty help of everyone getting the word out, we are proud to announce the safe return of Pat’s koa guitar! Yes, it is safe in our hands. All we can say about is that someone called our office and returned it to us a few days ago. That’s all we can or want to say about it.

Thanks to all of you who passed the word and posted flyers. A BIG thanks to Holly for making the flyers and getting everyone involved. You ARE the best fans any band could ever ask for…

Happy New Year from the Doobies, and especially the Simmons Family - hope to see you all at a show this year!
-Simmons Family Robinson

Doobie Brothers seek Sanctuary

On October 26, 2004, the Doobs’ Live at Wolf Trap concert (performed July 25, 2004) was released on DVD and CD formats, thanks to the people at Sanctuary Group, a real entertainment powerhouse.

The project was recorded and produced by Ed Cherney - Grammy, TEC, and you-name-it award winner - whose work includes such artists as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, the B-52’s, Roy Orbison, Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo, Billy Joel, Jan Arden, Bob Seger, Steely Dan, the Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie & the Blowfish, and others.

Get it now on DVD and CD!

Doobie Brothers Return to Maui

MAUI, HI - September 9 - The Doobie Brothers are once again slated to return to Maui for a one-night-only concert at the Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday, October 8, 2004 at 7:30 pm. Proceeds from this event will go to benefit the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui.

In their first Maui performance since 2000, the Doobie Brothers will perform hits from their 60 million record sales: “Listen to the Music,” “Black Water,” “China Grove,” “Takin’ it to the Streets, and others. After more than 30 years of playing together, the Doobies continue to be a driving force in Rock and Roll, performing to sold-out audiences around the world. A new Live DVD will be released this coming Fall along with a Live c.d. and a new studio recording is also in the works.

Ticket prices are $15, $30, $45 and $100, which is for “Golden Circle” front-of-the-house seating. It also includes a pre-show “Meet & Greet” with the band, along with pupus, refreshments and an autographed photo of the band.

Also, before the show, there will be a Live Auction held in the theater for an autographed Doobie Brothers guitar. The winner will be invited to join the Doobies on stage for the last song.

Tickets on sale August 28, 2004. Call 242 SHOW ( 242-7469) or visit the Center Box Office. Get your tickets early for what promises to be a sellout.

For more information contact: doobiemail@earthlink.net

Remembering a friend

During the Doobie Brothers’ recent European tour, the band received some sad news concerning one of its own - that of the passing of former Doobie saxophonist Cornelius Bumpus.

Cornelius joined the group in the late ’70s and played with the band on its reunion tours and through the “Cycles” and “Brotherhood” albums period. Not only was Cornelius a well respected musician on saxophone and other woodwind instruments (not to mention keyboards and vocals), Cornelius had a special personality that will be greatly missed.

Besides his work with the Doobie Brothers, Cornelius released solo recordings and worked with a wide variety of artists both in the studio and in concert. In recent years Cornelius had performed extensively with Steely Dan.

A deeply religious man, it is of some comfort that for Cornelius, his passing has brought him closer to that which he was ultimately seeking. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. Visit Cornelius’ own web site for more information.

The Real Deal

It’s one of life’s ironies that while entertainers (Doobie Brothers included) - for example, actors, musicians, “personalities”, and such - get a lot of attention for what they do, some people who do truly incredible things all the time go, for the most part, unheralded.

The Doobies recently had the opportunity to meet some folks who definitely fall into this category - a group of FDNY paramedics from New York who came to a Doobie Brothers concert in Roanoke, Virginia.

Thanks to Ken Davis, FDNY-EMS Paramedic, for sending us this photo taken backstage after the show with members of the band and some of the brave lads from the FDNY we got to meet - our heroes!!