Michael McDonald

The modern farmhouse sits just a stone's throw from the California coastline.

"It was one of the worst moments in my life."

He and Steely Dan's Walter Becker thought they could “make some easy money," but things didn't go to plan.

Singer looks back on addiction experiences – and explains why he sings with his eyes shut.

Steely Dan lead singer wanted future Doobie Brothers vocalist to become full-time member of his band: “For some dumb reason I was voted down.”

The group's bus driver, Jerome Aniton, bestowed the moniker upon them one alcohol-fueled evening.

It will be their first original album together in over 40 years.

"I was very comfortable being a band guy," the former Doobie Brothers star admitted.

They suddenly had a blank canvas, with none of the biker-boogie band constraints from their early years.

"We weren't trying to invent a new style of pop music," he tells UCR.

They resumed their 50th anniversary trek with Michael McDonald.

Prize includes roundtrip airfare and two-night accommodation.