The Doobie Brothers will take a second look at their classic hits — with the help of some of Nashville’s hottest stars.
According to Billboard, they’re just about finished with the project, which is expected to be released later this year. It will feature such guest stars as Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Zac Brown Band, Toby Keith and Sara Evans. And dispelling those lingering rumors of bad blood, co-founder Tom Johnston says Michael McDonald, who fronted the band during the late ’70s, will also be involved.
Johnson says “it’s really been a kick” working in Nashville. “Having been in the studio with both the studio guys and some of the artists, it’s amazing. It’s been more fun that I ever could have imagined,”
Jerrod Niemann, expected to be another of the guest artists, tells “Billboard”, “What I’d like to accomplish is showing country music fans just how much influence the Doobies really have on country music today.”
Of course, there’s always been a country-bluegrass element to The Doobies’ sound — “Nobody”, “Black Water” and their 2010 single “World Gone Crazy” are prime examples. The Doobies also did a “CMT Crossroads” performance with Luke Bryan in 2011.
