The Doobie Brothers are ringing in the New Year with some exciting news for fans. Founding member Pat Simmons has posted a “Season’s Greetings” message on the band’s Facebook page that features details about a new studio album the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are planning to release in 2025.
“Here’s the goal we’ve set for 2025,” Simmons wrote. “This train keeps rollin’ down the track and we’re almost ready to release our new album Walk This Road sometime after the first of the year. We have 10 new songs sung by Tom [Johnston], Michael [McDonald], and Pat.”
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Simmons continued, “The three of us wrote songs and collaborated together. We had a lot of fun recording it and we feel very proud of the results. [Longtime band member] John McFee added his incredible musical talents as well. Once more we turned to the amazing John Shanks who produced, wrote, and played on the tracks with us.”
Shanks also produced and played multiple instruments on The Doobie Brothers’ most recent studio album, Liberté (2021), and co-wrote all of the songs on that record.
Simmons concluded his message by reporting that a first song from Walk This Road probably will be released “soon after the first of the year.” He added, “[T]he full album will follow sometime in the Spring/Summer.”
More About the New Album
Walk This Road will be the first Doobie Brothers album to feature the full participation of McDonald since One Step Closer in 1980. McDonald did appear on many of the tracks on the band’s 2014 album, Southbound. That record was a collection of updated versions of classic Doobie Brothers songs featuring guest appearances by various country artists.
McDonald rejoined The Doobie Brothers’ lineup in 2021, when the band launched its 50th anniversary tour.
Simmons shared some details about the group’s upcoming album in a Facebook message posted in March 2024. At the time, he reported that The Doobie Brothers had expected to release the record this past spring or summer.
“[I]n my humble opinion it’s turning out to be some of the best music we’ve ever made together,” Pat said of the album.
More About Simmons’ Year-End Message
Simmons also offered up a recap of some of the highlights of 2024. They included The Doobie Brothers opening for the Eagles in the U.K., touring the U.S. with support acts Robert Cray and Steve Winwood, and wrapping up the trek in Canada.
In addition, Pat noted that The Doobies are “celebrating almost 56 years together as a band.”
He also touched on what the band members are doing during the holiday season, while sending out good vibes to their fans.
“Right now we’re glad to be back with our families enjoying the Holidays and want to take this opportunity to send out Season’s Greetings to all of you!” Simmons wrote. “We are so fortunate to have your continued support and thankful for the opportunity you’ve given us to play the music we love and work so hard to create. It’s such a privilege to share the songs that connect us with you, hopefully rekindling happy memories and creating new ones together.”
Pat ended the message by saying, “Once again we want to wish you and your families Happy Holidays and a Peaceful New Year. May 2025 bring you all health and happiness in abundance. We look forward to seeing you in your town next year.”