Doobie 'Doghouse' Wilson
Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist
Say "hi!" at doobiedw@bama.ua.edu
Download or listen to Doobie's Tunes for free!
Thanks for visiting my web site. I am a performing songwriter from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. My day job is Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at The University of Alabama - a truly great gig. I teach chemical reactions and conduct research on fuel cells and the hydrogen economy. I love to play guitar and sing, write and record songs. Occasionally I get out to a bar or coffee house for an open mic or solo performance (see schedule below). My bands include PhD'Licious, a group of 50-something academics dedicated to rocking you silly with covers of classic rock and Motown. Also, I front the Yard Dogs that play a more eclectic selection of tunes including blues, rock, and lots of originals. My solo work is strongly influenced by singer songwriters like James Taylor and Paul Simon and bluesmen like Keb' Mo' and Guy Davis.
All The News You Can Use
Listen to or download Doobie's latest album "Too Wet For Comfort"
Archive (lots of way cool stories and news if you are new to my web site!)
Doobie releases songs on YouTube
Doobie debuted "Too Wet for Comfort"
Schedule and Where I've Played
Please check out my YouTube videos. Most of these are just me and my guitar to give you an idea how I sound in a solo concert.
"Too Wet for Comfort" officially released 2/11/10
Doobie's best recordings of 2008/2009 were released as "Too Wet for Comfort". In fact, I have posted them here using the Reverb Nation hosting application. Tuscaloosa's biggest social event of the new decade was the CD release party at the Jupiter (on the stip in T-town) on Thursday, 2/11/10. Doors opened at 9:00 and the party got going at 10:00. I was joined by PhD'Licious (Mike Rives, Kevin Whitaker, Norm Baldwin, and Gene Falls), the Yard Dogs (Grey and Adam Guthrie), and guest horn players, Jeff Baker and Robert Howard. This was also the kick off event for the UA Community Service Center's Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week and 100% of the $5 cover and $5 autographed CDs went to the West Alabama Food Bank. Please download all of my songs for free!
What they said about "Too Wet for Comfort"
The new CD released by Doobie “Doghouse” Wilson, aka Alan Lane, a UA chemical engineering professor, turns out to be a good mix of songs that, while they sometimes veer into corny territory, create a feel-good mood.
In actuality, I did a review for Wilson’s last CD, “One More Time,” back in August 2008, and was very surprised by how much I actually enjoyed what I was listening to. Wilson’s new album, “Too Wet for Comfort,” was no exception.
Ideally, what Wilson wants to do with his music is simply have fun. Yes, some of these songs have the potential to have their own spots on “Schoolhouse Rock” (“Savin’ Room for Dessert”), but what makes the songs that much better is how he performs foot-stomping music to simple subjects, like having to get up for work in the morning after a long night’s gig (“PhD’Licious Theme).
Where else can you hear a country/funk fusion song? Outside of “Cheatin’ On Your Man,” probably nowhere.
(That’s your cue, musicians).
However, the acoustic numbers are where Wilson shines the most, emphasizing that all you need is a guitar and microphone to make music. After all, didn’t Bruce Springsteen record a little gem called “Nebraska” in the basement of his house with a mic, a guitar, a harmonica and an 8-track?
Tracks like “She’ll Fly Away,” a song about a father watching his daughter grow up, stick out for its simple, yet articulate, guitar work and singing.
Listen to “Hallelujah,” which established Leonard Cohen as a songwriter’s songwriter and transformed Jeff Buckley’s career from a struggling New York musician to one of music’s tragic “what could have been” stories, and you’ll see there’s a lot that Wilson has to offer.
And like many musicians worth their salt (or at least think they’re worth their salt), Wilson pays homage to feel-good music of yesteryear. If it hadn’t been for the name embedded in my memory, I would have thought some of the songs were done by the likes of J.J. Cale or anyone else Eric Clapton has covered.
In that same vein, there’s a lot with “Too Wet for Comfort” that could easily translate to J.J. Cale’s 2007 collaboration with Clapton, “The Road to Escondido,” my current aural obsession. [Doobie's note: I don't know what Drew meant here - but anytime I'm mentioned in the same sentence with Cale and Clapton I consider that to be an incredible compliment!]
Is this the best record I’ve ever heard? No. Could I find anything else better than this? Far from it. Is it one of the better recordings I’ve listened to in a while? Maybe. [Doobie's note: I agree that this is not the best album ever. I can easily think of a few others that are even better than "Too Wet for Comfort" :-)]
After listening to “Too Wet for Comfort,” I came up with two conclusions — you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make something memorable, and, above all else, you don’t have to take yourself too seriously for your music to be appreciated.
For that, Mr. Doghouse, I thank you.
- Drew Taylor, Senior Staff Reporter for the Crimson White in "Professor’s music makes things funny, bluesy" Published: Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Good songs, good production, and very diverse. Guitar playing is fantastic!
- Jason Herndon, Songwriter/Guitarist/Recording Artist
What they said about "One More Time"
At the University [of Alabama], and to the student body, Alan Lane is a chemical and biological engineering professor. Once he slings on his trusty guitar however, the professor morphs into Doobie “Doghouse” Wilson, a wailing blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although Lane is an interesting man in his own right, the subject of this review will be Doobie Wilson, since it was under this name that his album, “One More Time,” was released.
To be clear, Wilson is no sit-at-home musician. In fact, Wilson tries to make it a goal to play a gig at least once a week, whether at a bar or small cafe. With “One More Time,” a collection of songs he wrote in his spare time last year, Wilson showcases everything in his arsenal, from his howling voice, blues-drenched guitar, moaning slide guitar and poignant lyrics.
The album is a portrait of garden-variety blues. While true to the traditional 12-bar blues formula, Wilson combines blues tunes with not-so-standard rhythms, often reminiscent of Latin or Caribbean music, as heard on the opening title track and “Dangerous Love.”
Lane, who lists Paul Simon and James Taylor as major influences on his style, certainly echoes their work in songs like “Backdoor Man.” In fact, Wilson summons an entire collection of people from many different genres, including the Paul McCartney-esque “Morning Sun,” and many other staples of ’60s music that are conjoined to articulate Wilson’s strengths as a performer.
However, the album is hardly one-note, as Wilson also shows his softer side with acoustic songs, including “Don’t You Wish (Your Man Could Play Guitar)” and “Ballad of Martin Luther King.”
The greatest surprise on the album is Wilson’s lyrics. He is not afraid to be funny and sometimes cheesy with his chosen subjects, ranging from his heartache for dead flowers in “Zinnia Blues” to an interesting choice for a love interest in “Love of My Life.”
One excellent showcase of his poetry can be heard in “Lost Love Blues” when he says, “You once had everything, now nothing at all.” Wilson has figured out the “it” factor to writing songs, that which can truly make someone as a performer.
Wilson produced all of the album’s songs himself in his home studio, the result of which does sound a bit cheesy. It may not be professionally produced or mixed from the likes of Steve Lilywhite (Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz) or Brian Eno (U2, Coldplay), but for a home recording, it’s actually quite good. It doesn’t hurt that Wilson sang, harmonized and played virtually every instrument on the record.
Now for the brass tacks: this is an interesting collection of songs that, although maybe not the most groundbreaking music out there, still makes for fun listening.
And who knows? Maybe all of you taking his class this year could get on his good side by putting this on your iPod. Or maybe not.
You can download Wilson’s music free at www.mp3.com/doobiedoghousewilson.
- Drew Taylor, Senior Staff Reporter for the Crimson White in "Professors music shows a different side" Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Doobie's delivery of tongue-in-cheek innuendo with a sense of danger complements
his country, finger style sentimentality that displays a musical journeyman's
documented conviction in the power and necessity of the blues treated with love
and respect.
- Adam Guthrie,
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/Recording Artist
“One More Time” is one of the best albums I have heard in a while. It makes Birmingham proud to have artists such as Doobie "Doghouse" Wilson. It comes as no surprise that this album has some great guitar rides and a wide display of the lyrical genius Mr. Wilson is known for. I highly suggest this album.
- Kendra Sutton, Singer/Songwriter/Pianist/Recording Artist
I just found my new favorite CD! Singer, songwriter, guitar player, entertainer Doobie does it all and does it all well! Beyond that, he is also a genuinely nice guy and one of my favorite people!
- John Kulinich, Guitarist/Recording Artist
I met Doobie "Doghouse" Wilson about 4 years ago at one of my favorite open mics, Rick Carter’s Guitar Pull. I had gotten off the stage from playing and he was getting ready to go on. As I stepped off the stage, he came over and befriended me. When he stepped on the stage I was astounded by his guitar playing and songwriting. His lyrics are catchy and quite witty. I was amazed at how every time I’ve seen him play he was playing at least one song he had written that week. He is truly a master at the craft. He is a dear friend and a great musician. If you haven't had the chance to hear his music it is well worth the time to check him out. He's an awesome person as a friend and musician.
- Ricky Carden, Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/Recording Artist
I really like his music. He always finds a way to incorporate his own style into every song he sings. As they say in "the business," many will try but few can ever come close to Doobie "Doghouse" Wilson. Keep bringin' the soul!
- Josh Carroll, UA Chemical Engineering Alumnus
It [sound clip of "I DON'T KNOW WHY"] sounded really good to me. It reminds me a lot of James Taylor's music. I would like to hear you do something a little louder, something along the lines of "Steam Roller."
- Andrea Pope, UA Chemical Engineering Alumna
“That’s Not Me” (title song from the 1st CD) In the best sense of gentle self-mocking and personal discovery that one sees in Randy Newman songs, Doobie Doghouse Wilson (DDW) plays and teases and explores in THAT'S NOT ME who he is, or, if ones accepts the liner notes, who he was. These nuanced unfoldings of self as invisible and unknown are combined with the awareness of how much more of deep substance sits beneath. I was reminded of my adolescent experiences in listening to this personal-folk song, thinking of the disparity between my social presentation -- clumsy and awkward -- and the perhaps hope, perhaps belief there was much more. In an easy melodic style DDW builds on complex rhyme schemes in this progressive sharing of self. It is a song that wears well and that I listen to repeatedly.
- Stan Brodsky, UA Professor
“The Ballad of Martin Luther King (from the CD “That’s Not Me”): In contrast to the gentle and introspective attention of THAT’S NOT ME, this civil rights song is an intense and sometimes hard-driving recapitulation of Montgomery and Alabama in the 1950s and 1960s, and the courage and passions of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. I was not in Alabama when these protests occurred, but this song recreates in my mind the dark images of colored-only and white-only water fountains and segregated lunch counters. The refrain of MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY – which sounds much compelling in the listening than in the writing – holds one’s attention, and the song is both moving and emotional. In my brief contact with DDW I had no sense of this depth of caring, and this song is my other favorite in his CD.
- Stan Brodsky, UA Professor
Would you like to write a review? Please send it to me and I'll post it.
I just held my biennial solo concert at the Crimson Cafe in April, 2010, so the next one is pretty far off - spring, 2012. I'm also looking for that magical combination of a great venue, excellent sound system, enthusiastic audience, and talented regulars that characterized open mics like Hale's Tavern Songwriter's Night and the Oasis Bar's Guitar Pull. I would love to give free solo concerts for groups of fans and friends on request. Just get a righteous audience together and a choice venue in which to perform. My concerts are also an excellent event for fundraisers.
I play guitar for Tuscaloosa's hottest classic rock and Motown cover band, PhD'Licious. This band of weathered 50-something academics blends over 100 years of combined on-stage experience with the youthful energy we draw from working with students all day, and a rather odd intellectual curiosity about the musical genre. We have performed at the Jupiter, UA Quad (Earth Day), Red Shed, Brick House, Speakeasy, and North River Country Club among other venues.
I also front the Yard Dogs, most recently featured at UA's University Program's lunchtime concert at the Ferguson Center Starbucks and at the UA pool for the 500-student chemical engineering regional meeting.
Past performances include:
Manderson Landing (Tuscaloosa) - UA Student Affairs picnic with PhD'Licious
Innesfree Pub (Tuscaloosa) - St. Pat's Day with PhD'Licious
Holy Spririt HS (Tuscaloosa) - with PhD'Licious
University of Alabama Lakeside West (Tuscaloosa) - with PhD'Licious
Speakeasy Bar (Tuscaloosa) - with PhD'Licious
Temerson Square Bar (Tuscaloosa) - open mic
UA Quad (Tuscaloosa) - Earth Day with PhD'Licious
Ferguson Center Starbucks (Tuscaloosa) - University Programs with the Yard Dogs
UA Pool (Tuscaloosa) - AIChE Regional Meeting with the Yard Dogs
Brick House (Tuscaloosa) - Blount program spring dance with PhD'Licious
Egans (Tuscaloosa) - Solo set at Ham Bagby's songwriters showcase, many open mics
Red Shed (Tuscaloosa) - many open mics, solo and with PhD'Licious
Bama Theater (Tuscaloosa) - Tuscapolooza band showcase with PhD'Licious
Unitarian Church (Tuscaloosa) - fund raiser with PhD'Licious
Caring Days Adult Daycare (for Alzheimer Patients) (Tuscaloosa) - solo performance
The University Club (Tuscaloosa) - solo performance and with PhD'Licious
Legacy (Tuscaloosa) - many open jams, solo, with the house band, and with PhD'Licious
Jupiter (Tuscaloosa) - many open mics, concerts with PhD'Licious, CD release/food bank benefit
L&N Train Station (Tuscaloosa) - opened the Alabama Blues Project "An Evening of Art and Blues" benefit concerts with the Yard Dogs (2007) and solo with guest harmonica player J.K. Terrill (2008)
Nana Funks (Birmingham) - open mic
Bailey's Pub (Birmingham) - solo performance
The Nick (Birmingham) - open mic tribute to Topper Price
Sharky's Lounge (Bessemer) - many open mics
Capture Studio Cafe (Tuscaloosa) - many open mics and solo performances
Little Willie's (Tuscaloosa) - many open jams and benefit performance with the Caroline Shines Band
Club Killabrew (Orchas Island, Washington) - solo performance and jam
Bluebird Cafe (Nashville) - open mic
Liz Charles Gallery (Tuscaloosa) - solo performance
Crimson Cafe' (Tuscaloosa) - solo performances
Engineering the Automotive Future Workshop (Tuscaloosa) - The Yard Dogs, Grey (drums) and Adam Guthrie (bass and guitar), helped me entertain engineers and scientists from all over the country at the concluding banquet. A CD called "Future Drive" contains solo versions of the songs we performed and is available on request.
Bama Bean (Tuscaloosa) - solo performance
World Cafe' Live (Philadelphia) - open mic
The Point (Philadelphia) - open mic
Doc Watson's (Philadelphia) - open mic
P J Coffee Cafe' (Tuscaloosa) - solo performance
NW Stairwell, Bevill Building, UA campus (Tuscaloosa) - solo lunch time performances - strange, but the acoustics are wonderful
Ferguson Center Starbuck's Acoustic Cafe' (Tuscaloosa) - organized and performed in a semester-long songwriter showcase/open mic as part of University Program's "Up All Night" series providing students with smoke- and alcohol-free entertainment.
Mellow Mushroom (Tuscaloosa) - solo and band (Yard Dogs) performances and many open mics
Moonlight Music Cafe (Birmingham) - many open mics and organized/performed in songwriter showcases
Crawfish Festival (Tuscaloosa) - opening act for debut outdoor festival
5 Points Grill (Birmingham) - open mic
Bad Ass Coffee Company (Tuscaloosa) - organized/performed in a semester-long songwriter showcase as part of The University of Alabama's efforts to provide students with smoke- and alcohol-free entertainment.
The Broken Spoke Songwriter's Cafe' (Nashville) - invited songwriter showcase
The Hall of Fame Lounge (Nashville) - open mic
Hale's Tavern (Tuscaloosa) - many open mics
Oasis Bar (Birmingham) - solo performance, many open mics at Rick Carter's Guitar Pull
Marty's Bar (Birmingham) - solo performances and many open mics
Highland Coffee Co. (Birmingham) - open mic
La Reunion Coffee and Tea Co. (Birmingham) - solo performance
Heritage Residential Care Village (Tuscaloosa) - solo performances
Ground Zero (Tuscaloosa) - solo performances
Cafe' Venice (Tuscaloosa) - benefit performance with Stuart McNair
The Bama Belle (Tuscaloosa) - solo performances