In Memoriam: John Hartman (1950 – 2022)

John Hartman (March 18, 1950 – September 22, 2022) was an American drummer who was a co-founder and original drummer of the Doobie Brothers. At the band’s inception, Hartman was the sole drummer. However, in late 1971, the group added second drummer Michael Hossack, and the dual-drummers formation remained until 2016 when Ed Toth became the band’s sole drummer. (Hossack was replaced in 1973 by Keith Knudsen.)

Hartman played on all of the Doobie Brothers’ major hits of the 1970s with both Tom Johnston and Michael McDonald. He left early in 1979 following a promotional tour in support of the award-winning Minute by Minute album to look after Arabian horses on his California ranch.

Hartman was enticed to join twelve Doobies alumni (including drummers Hossack, Knudsen, and Hartman’s own 1979 replacement Chet McCracken) for a brief benefit tour in 1987. Hartman subsequently rejoined when the band was reconstituted the following year. He played on the reunion albums Cycles (1989) and Brotherhood (1991) as well as the accompanying promotional tours. However, following a 1992 alumni reunion for the benefit of terminally ill percussionist Bobby LaKind, Hartman retired permanently from the band. In typical Doobies fashion, he was replaced by his former partner, Keith Knudsen.

Hartman was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers in 2020.

On September 22, 2022, The Doobie Brothers announced Hartman’s death several days earlier, at the age of 72.

Monday 8/15/22 10am ET: Feature LP: Tom Johnston – Everything You’ve Heard Is True (1979)

Charles Thomas Johnston (born August 15, 1948) is an American musician. He is a guitarist and vocalist, known principally as a founder, guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter for the rock group The Doobie Brothers, as well as for his own solo career. He has played off and on with The Doobie Brothers for 50 years, in several styles. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers in 2020.

Johnston joined The Doobie Brothers when they reunited for a brief tour in 1987. This event led to the permanent reformation of the band, with Johnston again performing alongside co-founder Simmons. Johnston co-wrote, sang and contributed a signature guitar solo to the group’s last major chart hit, “The Doctor” (from 1989’s Cycles). This was followed by the album Brotherhood in 1991 which featured four songs by Johnston, and Sibling Rivalry in 2000 featuring the single “People Gotta Love Again”. The Doobies’ most recent album, 2010’s World Gone Crazy, features 13 songs, eight of which were written by Johnston including the album’s title track and the first single “Nobody”, a rerecording of the band’s first single in 1971.

With Pat Simmons, Johnston wrote Long Train Runnin’: Our Story of The Doobie Brothers (2022).

After leaving the Doobie Brothers permanently, (at least at the time), in 1977. founding member Tom Johnston took a couple of years to continue recuperating from the health issues that derailed his work with the band, & in 1979 released his first solo album “Everything You’ve Heard Is True”. The album, produced by long time Doobies producer Ted Templeman is a mix of the late 70s laid back “LA Sound” so prevalent then, a bit of the then popular disco rhythms, & Tom’s R&B roots & instantly recognizable “chunka-chunka” guitar style that propelled & identified so many Doobies songs.

Tom was backed by some serious LA session musicians; Jim Keltner, Bob Glaub, Paul Stallworth & David Garibaldi, along with Little Feat’s Paul Barrere & Bill Payne, (the latter had of course played keyboards on many Doobies songs), the Tower Of Power horn section & the Memphis Horns, (whom had also recorded & toured with the Doobies), plus former Doobie bandmates Michael McDonald & Keith Knudsen.

So with this all star lineup backing him, what did we get? A very good album, with a mix of songs that could have easily fit on a Doobies album, (& since Tom wrote & he & the Doobies recorded five songs for their “Livin’ On The Fault Line” before Tom had them taken off the album & left the band, it’s very possible some are on this album), & some cases of Tom stretching out a bit. “Small Time Talk” is the most Doobie sounding song on the album, with a guitar line much like “Listen To The Music” or “Eyes Of Silver”, but with a different group of musicians behind Tom, it sounds more like somebody copying the Doobies sound, & that’s not putting it down. “Savannah Nights” was the big hit from this album, peaking at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, & garnering a good bit of airplay. It’s a definite mix of Tom’s R&B roots with a funk/disco rhythm. Tom also does a nice cover of Joe Tex’s southern soul classic “Show Me”, & continues the “Tom Johnston era Doobies sound” with “Down Along The River” The rest of the album is very solid, & Tom’s in fine voice & wrote some solid songs for his solo debut. Ted Templeman’s production gives the album just the right pop sheen, without getting as slick as on “Minute By Minute”.

This easily gets a four star rating, losing a single star due to the slightly anonymous backing of what are obviously session musicians, which detracts a bit from the album, since it lacks the feel of an actual band with him. Ctsy AllMusic.com Mark Moore

1 Down Along the River 3:49
2 Show Me 2:56
3 Savannah Nights 4:04
4 I Can Count on You 2:43
5 Small Talk Time 3:54
6 Reachin’ out for Lovin’ from You 4:13
7 Outlaw 3:32
8 Man on the Stage 3:56

Friday 7/15/22 1am ET: Live Track Show

Tonight:

Kenny Loggins, Supertramp, Dave Matthews Band, Elton John, Kelly Clarkson, Honeydrippers, Bon Jovi, Sha Na Na, Chuck Berry, Disturbed Featuring Myles Kennedy, UFO, Doors, Rolling Stones, Los Lonely boys with Ronnie Milsap, Bonnie Raitt, Metallica with the San Francisco Symphony, Van Morrison, Duran Duran, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Frampton, Grand Funk, Scorpions

Wednesday 7/13/22 1am ET: Live Track Show

Tonight:

Paul McCartney & Wings, Jethro Tull, Bon Jovi, Al Stewart, John Fogerty, Foreigner, Doobie Brothers, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Neil Young, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, Rolling Stones, Mavis Staples, Journey, Robert Plant, Joe Cocker, Sly & The Family Stone, Nick Lowe, Nils Lofgren, Eagles, Def Leppard

Sunday 7/10/22 1pm ET: Feature LP: Doobie Brothers – Stampede (1975)

Stampede is the fifth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The album was released on April 25, 1975, by Warner Bros. Records. It was the final album by the band before Michael McDonald replaced Tom Johnston as lead vocalist and primary songwriter. The album has been certified gold by the RIAA.

1. “Sweet Maxine” 4:26
2. “Neal’s Fandango” 3:20
3. “Texas Lullaby” 5:00
4. “Music Man” 3:34
5. “Slack Key Soquel Rag 1:54
6. “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)” 3:39
7. “I Cheat the Hangman” 6:38
8. “Précis” 0:56
9. “Rainy Day Crossroad Blues” 3:45
10. “I Been Workin’ on You” 4:22
11. “Double Dealin’ Four Flusher” 3:30

Tom Johnston – guitars, lead and backing vocals
Patrick Simmons – guitars, lead and backing vocals
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter – guitars, pedal steel guitar
Tiran Porter – bass guitar, backing vocals
John Hartman – drums, percussion
Keith Knudsen – drums, percussion, backing vocals, co-lead vocals on “Double Dealin’ Four Flusher”
Bill Payne – piano on “Sweet Maxine”, “Neal’s Fandango”, “Texas Lullaby”, “Take Me in Your Arms”, “I Cheat the Hangman” and “Double Dealin’ Four Flusher”, organ on “Music Man” and “I Been Workin’ on You”, electric piano on “Double Dealin’ Four Flusher”, other keyboards
Ry Cooder – bottleneck guitar on “Rainy Day Crossroad Blues”
Karl Himmel – drums and percussion on “I Been Workin’ on You”
Bobbye Hall Porter – congas on “Take Me in Your Arms”
Victor Feldman – marimba, percussion
Conte Candoli, Pete Candoli – trumpets on “I Cheat the Hangman”
Harry Bluestone – concertmaster on “Rainy Day Crossroad Blues”
Maria Muldaur – backing vocals on “I Cheat the Hangman”
Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields and Jessica Smith – backing vocals on “Take Me in Your Arms” and “I Been Workin’ on You”
Nick DeCaro – string arrangements on “Texas Lullaby”, “I Cheat the Hangman” and “Rainy Day Crossroad Blues”
Paul Riser – string and horn arrangements on “Take Me in Your Arms”, horn arrangements on “Sweet Maxine” and “Double Dealin’ Four Flusher”
Curtis Mayfield – string and horn arrangements on “Music Man”
Richard Tufo – orchestration on “Music Man”

Wednesday 7/6/22 1am ET: Live Track Show

Tonight:

Cheap Trick, Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Everything But The Girl, Specials, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Journey, Neil Young, Heart, Korn, Def Leppard, Metallica, Roy Orbison, Radiohead, Who, Harry Chapin, Carole King, Sara Bareilles, Nils Lofgren, Steve Winwood, Eagles, Rolling Stones with Ike and Tina Turner, Doobie Brothers, Queen

Friday 7/1/22 1am ET: Live Track Show

Tonight we feature:

Paul McCartney & Wings, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Mariah Carey, Three Dog Night, Paul Young, Elton John, John Mellencamp, REM, Billy Joel, Doobie Brothers, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones, Richie Sambora, Joe Cocker, Neil Young, Santana, UFO, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz

Thursday 6/30/22 6pm ET: Feature LP: Doobie Brothers – Best of Volume II (1981)

Best of the Doobies, Vol. II is a compilation album by the Doobie Brothers released in November 1981. The album was released with ten tracks, all of them singles from albums released before 1981. The album peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard Top LPs chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

“Little Darling (I Need You)”
“Echoes of Love”
“You Belong to Me”
“One Step Closer”
“What a Fool Believes”
“Dependin’ on You”
“Here to Love You”
“One by One”
“Real Love”
“Minute by Minute”

Michael McDonald – vocals, keyboards
Patrick Simmons – guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals (2,6,8)
Keith Knudsen – drums, backing vocals
Tiran Porter – bass guitar, backing vocals
Jeff Baxter – guitars (all tracks except 4,8,9)
John Hartman – drums (all tracks except 4,8,9)
Cornelius Bumpus – sax, keyboards, vocals (4/8/9), lead vocal (4)
John McFee – guitar, vocals (4/8/9)
Chet McCracken – drums (4/8/9)
Herb Pederson – banjo
Byron Berline – violin
Norton Buffalo – harmonica
Jeff Gilkinson – sitar
Andrew Love – saxophone
Ben Cauley – trumpet
Bill Payne – synthesizer

Sunday 6/12/22 2pm ET: Feature LP: Doobie Brothers – Livin’ on the Fault Line (1977)

Livin’ on the Fault Line is the seventh studio album by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The album was released on August 19, 1977, by Warner Bros. Records. It is one of the few Doobie Brothers albums of the 1970s which did not produce a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (although “You Belong to Me” was a hit as recorded by co-author Carly Simon). Still, the album received modest critical acclaim. Tom Johnston (guitar, vocals) left the band early in the sessions. He is listed as part of the band (appearing in the inside group photo) but appears on little or none of the actual album; despite writing and singing five songs during the sessions for the album, they were not included on the final release. Much of this consistently mellow album has a jazz tinge, and the influences of R&B are palpable throughout. The track “Little Darling (I Need You)” is a remake of the Marvin Gaye 1966 hit.

1. “You’re Made That Way” 3:30
2. “Echoes of Love” 2:57
3. “Little Darling (I Need You)” 3:24
4. “You Belong to Me” 3:04
5. “Livin’ on the Fault Line” 4:42
6. “Nothin’ But a Heartache” 3:05
7. “Chinatown” 4:55
8. “There’s a Light” 4:12
9. “Need a Lady” 3:21
10. “Larry the Logger Two-Step” 1:16
11. “Little Darling (I Need You)” (Single Edit) 3:24

Patrick Simmons – electric and acoustic guitars, lead and backing vocals
Jeff Baxter – electric and acoustic guitars
Michael McDonald – acoustic and electric pianos, organ, synthesizers, lead and backing vocals
Tiran Porter – bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on “Need a Lady”
Keith Knudsen – drums, percussion, backing vocals
John Hartman – drums, percussion
Bobby LaKind – congas, backing vocals
Dan Armstrong – electric sitar solo on “Need A Lady”
Norton Buffalo – harmonica on “There’s A Light”
Victor Feldman – vibes on “Livin’ On The Fault Line”
Rosemary Butler – backing vocals on “Little Darling (I Need You)”, “You Belong To Me” and “There’s A Light”
Maureen McDonald – backing vocals on “You’re Made That Way”
Ted Templeman – percussion
David Paich – string and horn arrangements on “You’re Made That Way”, “Little Darling (I Need You)”, “You Belong To Me” and “There’s A Light”, string arrangement on “Nothin’ But a Heartache”

Wednesday 5/18/22 8pm ET: Feature LP: Doobie Brothers – One Step Closer (1980)

One Step Closer is the ninth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The album was released on September 17, 1980, by Warner Bros. Records. The album included the hit “Real Love”, which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. This album is the band’s last studio album with Michael McDonald in the lineup until 2014’s Southbound.

1. “Dedicate This Heart” 4:07
2. “Real Love” 4:18
3. “No Stoppin’ Us Now” 4:40
4. “Thank You Love” 6:22
5. “One Step Closer” 4:10
6. “Keep This Train A-Rollin” 3:29
7. “Just in Time” 2:43
8. “South Bay Strut” 4:05
9. “One by One” 3:47

Patrick Simmons – guitars, lead and backing vocals
John McFee – guitars, backing vocals
Michael McDonald – keyboards, synthesizers, lead and backing vocals
Cornelius Bumpus – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, organ, lead and backing vocals
Tiran Porter – bass
Keith Knudsen – drums, backing vocals
Chet McCracken – drums, vibraphone, marimbas
Bobby LaKind – congas, bongos, backing vocals
Nicolette Larson – backing vocals on “Real Love”, “Dedicate This Heart”, and “Just In Time”
Patrick Henderson – keyboards on “Real Love”, “One By One”, and “Keep This Train A-Rollin'”
Lee Thornburg – trumpet on “South Bay Strut” and “Keep This Train A-Rollin'”, flugelhorn for “Dedicate This Heart”
Chris Thompson – backing vocals on “No Stoppin’ Us Now”
Ted Templeman – tambourine, cowbell, maracas, backing vocals on “One Step Closer”
Jerome Jumonville – tenor saxophone, horn arrangements on “Keep This Train A-Rollin'”
Joel Peskin – baritone saxophone on “Keep This Train A-Rollin'”
Bill Armstrong – trumpet on “Keep This Train A-Rollin'”
Jimmie Haskell – string arrangements on “Real Love” and “South Bay Strut”

Sunday 3/13/22 3pm ET: Feature LP: Doobie Brothers – The Captain and Me (1973)

The Captain and Me is the third studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The album was released on March 2, 1973, by Warner Bros. Records. It features some of their most popular hits including “Long Train Runnin'”, “China Grove” and “Without You”. The album is certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA.

1. “Natural Thing” 3:17
2. “Long Train Runnin'” 3:25
3. “China Grove” 3:14
4. “Dark Eyed Cajun Woman” 4:12
5. “Clear as the Driven Snow” 5:18
6. “Without You” 4:58
7. “South City Midnight Lady” 5:27
8. “Evil Woman” 3:17
9. “Busted Down Around O’Connelly Corners” 0:48
10. “Ukiah” 3:04
11. “The Captain and Me” 4:53

Tom Johnston – acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica on “Long Train Runnin'”, ARP synthesizer, lead and backing vocals
Patrick Simmons – acoustic and electric guitars, ARP synthesizer, banjo on “The Captain and Me”, lead and backing vocals
Tiran Porter – bass, backing vocals
John Hartman – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Michael Hossack – drums, congas, timbales
Bill Payne – piano on “China Grove”, “South City Midnight Lady” and “Ukiah”, organ on “Without You”, electric piano on “Dark Eyed Cajun Woman”
Jeffrey ‘Skunk’ Baxter – pedal steel guitar on “South City Midnight Lady”
Ted Templeman – percussion, backing vocals on “Without You”[15]
Nick DeCaro – string arrangements on “Dark Eyed Cajun Woman”, “South City Midnight Lady” and “Evil Woman”
Malcolm Cecil, Robert Margouleff – ARP synthesizer programming on “Natural Thing”, “Clear as the Driven Snow”, “South City Midnight Lady” and “Ukiah”

Tuesday 1/11/22 2pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1973 A to Z – Part 11

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1973 A2Z.

We continue with the completion of letter M and start with N and feature music from: Paul McCartney & Wings, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, Steeleye Span, America, Pink Floyd, Tufano & Giammarese, Queen, Michael Jackson, Sweet, Doobie Brothers and many more.

2pm to 6pm ET

Friday 1/7/22 9pm ET: Feature LP: Doobie Brothers – Takin’ It To The Streets (1976)

Takin’ It to the Streets is the sixth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The album was released on March 19, 1976, by Warner Bros. Records. It was the first to feature Michael McDonald on lead vocals.

1. “Wheels of Fortune” 4:54
2. “Takin’ It to the Streets” 3:56
3. “8th Avenue Shuffle” 4:39
4. “Losin’ End” 3:39
5. “Rio” 3:49
6. “For Someone Special” 5:04
7. “It Keeps You Runnin'” 4:20
8. “Turn It Loose” 3:53
9. “Carry Me Away” 4:09

Tom Johnston – electric guitar, lead and backing vocals on “Turn It Loose”; vocals on “Wheels of Fortune”
Patrick Simmons – electric guitars, lead and backing vocals
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter – electric guitars, acoustic guitar on “For Someone Special”
Michael McDonald – piano, electric piano, clavinet, synthesizers, lead and backing vocals
Tiran Porter – bass, backing vocals, lead vocal on “For Someone Special”
John Hartman – drums, percussion
Keith Knudsen – drums, percussion, backing vocals
The Memphis Horns
Wayne Jackson – trumpet
Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
James Mitchell – baritone saxophone
Lewis Collins – tenor saxophone
Jack Hale – trombone
Bobby LaKind – congas on “Takin’ It to the Streets”, “Losin’ End” and “Rio”
Richie Hayward – drums (with John Hartman) on “Wheels of Fortune”
Novi Novog – viola on “Losin’ End”
Jesse Butler – organ on “Takin’ It to the Streets”
Maria Muldaur – cameo vocal on “Rio”
Ted Templeman – additional percussion

Monday 1/3/22 2pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1973 A to Z – Part 5

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1973 A2Z.

We continue with land complete letter E into G and feature music from: Ohio Players, Doobie Brothers, Merle Haggard, Chicago, Freda Payne, Hues Corporation, Elvia Presley, Genesis, T.Rex, Chairmen of The Board, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Queen and many more.

2pm to 6pm ET

Friday 12/31/21 3pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1973 A to Z – Part 4

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1973 A2Z.

We continue with land complete letter D with music from: BW Stevenson, Diana Ross, Aerosmith, America, Who, Shocking Blue, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Queen, Peter Frampton, Paul Kelly, James Brown, Electric Light Orchestra, Miracles and many more.

3pm to 6pm ET