The Doobie Brothers, with Michael McDonald back in the band, return to Jones Beach

The Doobie Brothers have become a fixture at Jones Beach Theater. With 20 shows under their belt at the venue, the band is ready to deliver once again on Aug. 10 with the Coral Reefer Band opening for them.

"We have played there with Chicago, Santana, Foreigner and many others,” guitarist-vocalist Tom Johnston tells Newsday in an interview. "Having the stage in the water has always been a trip. It’s a neat place to play.”

This time around the band is promoting "Walk This Road," its first new album with Michael McDonald in 45 years.

"Michael is the one who said we should go into the studio and cut some songs,” says Johnston, 76. "It started just as a test to see what it would sound like. We began with four songs, but then we just kept going.”

The band members co-wrote tunes with producer John Shanks (Melissa Etheridge, Bon Jovi), then fleshed them out in the studio.

"We would do this in between touring. It went really fast with this process, way faster than any normal album,” Johnston says. "It was a fun way to work. I really enjoyed it.”

McDonald, whose first run with the Doobies was from 1975 to 1982, came back in 2020 to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary. However, the pandemic postponed that celebration until 2021. The Doobies found a revitalized energy with him rejoining.

"We’ve been on the road together for the last four years so we have gotten to know each other better now than we had during the old days, which is pretty cool,” Johnston says. "Mike is great to have around because he’s a humorous guy. He has a strong sense of humor plus he is a killer player.”

The Doobies have added a good dose of new material to their current live set list.

"We’re playing four new tunes on the road, which is unheard of. Usually you’ll do one, maybe two,” Johnston says. "But I think the people will go with it because we’ve gotten a positive response to this album. I believe they’re going to want to hear the new stuff.”

However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a healthy portion of Doobie classics ("Rockin’ Down the Highway,” "Minute by Minute,” "Jesus Is Just Alright,” "Takin’ It to the Streets”)

"You always have to keep in the nuggets because people want to hear them,” Johnston says. "Even though they are old songs that we’ve played a million times, they become new again on the night you play them because the crowd gets so amped.”

The song, "Listen to the Music,” which often serves as the encore, has a bit of pixie dust on it. The 1972 hit is one of those magical rock tracks that everyone knows the words to and sings along at the top of their lungs in unison.

"I had no idea it was going to last this long or be played as much as it has. But it’s very gratifying,” Johnston admits. "You don’t know that when you write songs. That kind of just happens and it’s pretty good.”

Regardless, the Doobies have one goal at their concerts and that’s to put everyone in a good mood.

"We simply want to uplift people and give them a fun time,” Johnston says. "When you come to us, forget about what’s going on the outside. There’s a certain vibe that we put out there and people respond to it.”

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.