Haskell Wilson had seen The Doobie Brothers twice before Thursday night, but he made a point to have a seat at the Civic Center when the group played Muskogee.

“They’re still good to this day, and they put on a good show with no running around on the stage,” he said. “They just get out there and play their music.”

Wilson said he has been enjoying The Doobie Brothers for decades.

“I was about 16 or 17 when they first started out,” said Wilson, 55. “In 1996 I was working in Montana and went to see them there. In 2007, I saw them at the Brady Theater in Tulsa.”

Wilson said the Doobies’ sound was appealing because it was not a hard rock band and the audience could hear the lyrics.

As Wilson finished talking and took his seat, the auditorium lights went out and the stage lights went up. The Doobie Brothers walked out and immediately launched into a vigorous version of “Take Me In Your Arms.” Their unique two-drummer lineup contributed to the punch.

One of the best-known bands in the world, The Doobie Brothers appeared at the civic center to benefit the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

See a gallery of concert photos here.

The Doobie Brothers emerged in the 1970s as a mellow boogie band and evolved over the next decade into a soul-influenced pop band. Along the way, the group earned a string of gold and platinum albums in the United States, along with radio hits like “China Grove,” “Listen to the Music,” and “Black Water.”

Getting such a big-name band to Muskogee was the work of an anonymous donor, promoter Chuck Proctor and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame President Max Boydstun.

At the concert, many fans were in their 40s or 50s — not surprising considering how long the band has been making music.

Curt Postlethwait, 48, said he couldn’t resist seeing a performance by one of his favorite groups right here in his hometown. Postlethwait said the Doobies are an enduring rock band because they created good music and lyrics.

“I started out as a Doobies fan in the earlier years,” he said. “They were fun to listen to. Hearing them now brings back a lot of memories. I enjoyed a lot of good times in my teens.”

Boydstun said this was the kickoff to a series of concerts to benefit the hall of fame. The next concert is a double-bill featuring Yes and Asia.

“We started planning about two months ago, with an anonymous donor guaranteeing the basic costs of the concert so the OMHF would see a profit,” he said. “It was his idea, his plan; he likes the fact that we’re bringing live music to Muskogee. This is another benefit of having the hall of fame here. Even though it’s a statewide resource, it’s headquartered right here in our town.”

Sue Harris, president of the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce, said the concert was important on many levels.

“Having someone with the status of the Doobies impacts us in lots of ways,” she said. “It helps us in letting people know about the hall of fame. It also brings visitors to Muskogee who spend their money here.”

Harris said she also had a personal reason to attend the show.

“I’m a big fan of the Doobies,” she said. “This brings back so many memories. I always heard them on the radio; this is the first time I’ve gotten to see them in person.”

Reach Keith Purtell at 684-2925 or kpurtell@muskogeephoenix.com.