The Doobie Brothers in Fort Myers: Tom Johnston talks new songs, 'China Grove' and more
Charles RunnellsThe Doobie Brothers have been making funky, soulful rock music for almost 50 years now. And frontman Tom Johnston can hardly believe it.
“It’s kind of a weird concept,” says the band’s singer, songwriter, guitarist and co-founder. “It’s just hard to believe it’s been that long. It went by so fast.”
Yet, despite the passage of years, the rock trio remain a big concert draw, often packing arenas and performing arts halls. That includes Sunday’s show at FSW Suncoast Credit Union Arena in south Fort Myers.
“We’ve been extremely fortunate, in that we started off with songs that grab people,” Johnston says. “They can sing along with it, they remember it, and they kept it with them throughout their lives.
“I get to hear that all the time from fans at shows. … They say, basically: ‘You guys have been the soundtrack to my life.’ Or they say they went through a tough time, and that song got them through it.”
The Doobie Brothers have racked up ten Top 20 hits on the Billboard charts, including “What a Fool Believes,” “Black Water,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “Real Love” “The Doctor” “Listen to the Music,” “Takin’ It to the Streets” and “China Grove.”
Even so, Johnston says the band wasn’t trying to write the soundtrack to people's lives. They just wanted to make great music.
“It’s serendipity,” he says. “Nobody set out to do that on purpose.”
Here’s more from our interview with Johnston:
The News-Press: How do you describe the modern version of The Doobie Brothers, compared to what you were when you first started?
Tom Johnston: Well, we’re not doing 200 shows a year like we did in those days. We’re doing about 80 shows a year now.
I think also, even though we’ve been doing this a really long time, when we get on the stage it’s still the same vibe. It’s still the same kind of thing: You want to get out there and put on the best show you can.
The crowd reaction is what drives it all. … You’re putting the music out, and they’re given their response back — and sometimes singing very loudly — and it’s very gratifying. It’s a great thing to do, night after night. It never gets old.
For your last album, “Southbound,” you re-worked a bunch of Doobie Brothers songs with country stars such as Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes and Brad Paisley. What was that like?
That was a gas! We had so much fun doing that album. You’re playing with some of the best players, studio guys, in the country. It’s just mind-blowing. Two takes, and the song is done. … Just incredible players.
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You wrote the song “China Grove," but I've read that you didn't realize there's a real city named that. You thought you'd made it up. Is that true?
Yeah, I found that out in late 1973, maybe 74. I found it out from a cab driver. I didn’t even realize that there was a town called China Grove.
So where DID that song come from?
Well, in ’72 we were driving around in a Winnebago playing. … And at some period of time, we drove down the highway that goes into San Antonio, Texas. And along that highway, there’s a road sign that says ‘China Grove.’ I’ve seen the road sign, so I know it’s there!
I didn’t think of it at the time. But when we cut that track, (pianist) Billy Payne … came up with this lick in the bridge (Johnston hums the lick). I didn’t have the lyrics for the song at that point, and for some reason that sparked this whole set of lyrics. So I went and wrote the whole set of lyrics for that song.
So that town was just sitting there in the back of your head, just waiting to come out?
I guess so! I wasn’t aware of it, but I guess it was a thing that just sat back there and cooked for a while. And then all of a sudden that piano lick brought it up. … On some level, I must have known, but I’d forgotten about it.
You’re working on some new Doobie Brothers music. When is that coming out, and what can fans expect?
I’m not sure. I can’t give you a date for when it’s coming out. I don’t know. But I’ve been doing some writing with a guy in L.A. (John Shanks) who’s really, really good.
It’s a new thing for me, because I’ve always written by myself. Starting about three years ago, I started writing with other people. And it’s a different process completely. ... It’s a learning curve for me, but I enjoy the challenge. It’s a lot of fun.
How do the songs sound? Do they sound like Doobie Brothers songs?
They sound different! … They don’t sound like you’re writing them by yourself, obviously, because you have other musical influences sitting right there with you.
I like that. ... It’s gonna be something new. And that’s what keeps it exciting. I don’t wanna do the same ol’ stuff. I wanna do something new.
(But) it doesn’t mean I wanna go off and do something where nobody’s gonna know who the hell that is!
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)
If you go
Who: The Doobie Brothers
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: FSW Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the Florida SouthWestern State College Campus, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers
Tickets: $38-$125 (plus applicable taxes and fees, prices subject to change)
Info: 481-4849 or fswarena.com