THEY ALL LOVE MICHAEL MCDONALD PEERS GATHER FOR TRIBUTE SHOW AT SHRINE.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

Even hit-making singer Michael McDonald himself was surprised when he was informed there would be a tribute concert in his honor at the Shrine Auditorium.

McDonald, possessor of one of pop's most recognizable voices, had hits with the Doobie Brothers (``What a Fool Believes,'' ``Minute by Minute,'' ``Takin' It to the Streets''), acclaimed solo records (``On My Own,'' ``Sweet Freedom,'' ``I Keep Forgettin' '') and has guested on discs by Quincy Jones, Steely Dan, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins and many more.

At the Shrine tonight, McDonald will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Yamaha musical instrument company for 25 years of music spanning many genres at a star-studded concert featuring Ray Charles, Loggins, Steve Winwood and LaBelle. Actor-performer and longtime McDonald pal Jeff Bridges will host.

``I was frankly surprised and, of course, flattered because there's a million more contemporary record-selling acts I would've thought of first for such an honor,'' McDonald, 47, said.

A five-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and keyboardist, McDonald struck gold in the latter half of the '70s as singer and keyboardist for the Doobies, helping to redefine the sound of what was formerly a straight-ahead rock 'n' roll band.

McDonald's soulful falsetto and gospel-inflected instrumental style led the Doobies to the top of the charts with a mellow and universally popular pop-r&b sound.

After the Doobies disbanded in 1980, McDonald went further in the r&b direction as a solo artist, dueting with leading soul singers (with LaBelle he scored a No. 1 hit with ``On My Own'') and establishing a jazz-lite style that kick-started the adult-contemporary radio format.

Other artists at tonight's show include the Doobies, Boz Scaggs, Patti Austin, Alan Parsons, Christopher Cross, James Ingram, David Pack (Ambrosia), Toto, Billy Dean, SheDaisy and the Wilkinsons.

``The lineup was kept secret from me for a long time,'' McDonald said. ``But then they started asking me about songs I played on, and when it got to that point, it started to become apparent to me who was going to be on the show.''

The Yamaha/NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Millennium Concert benefits four charities that further music education. Limited tickets are available to the public.

``The charities are an important part of it for me,'' McDonald said. ``Music education is dying out in the U.S., and all the arts are endangered. They take such a back seat from a governmental and educational standpoint. It's a proven theory that music is so much a part of our innate nature (rather) than simply a luxury.''

McDonald recently launched a label with Bridges and musician/studio designer Chris Pelonis. The company, Ramp Records, will issue McDonald's new ``Blue Obsession'' album, largely produced by Tommy Sims (co-writer of Eric Clapton's Grammy-winning ``Change the World''), on Feb. 21, the same date Bridges' musical debut, ``Be Here Soon,'' is released.

``Jeff and I started as buddies and wound up making music together,'' said McDonald, who lives in Nashville. ``In the midst of being involved in his album, we decided to start a label. That was the best of our options, given the changing climate and atmosphere in the music business. So we decided to take a stab at it.''

McDonald, who plans to tour this summer, says his forthcoming album is ``probably my most r&b-sounding record to date. It's the best record I've done, but, of course, I would say that.''

McDonald, who enjoyed a long relationship with Warner Bros. Records, said he's hopeful the music industry will eventually reinvent itself once the Internet and alternate forms of sales and distribution make substantial inroads with the public.

``I think it's exciting,'' he said. ``There's been a dire need for this industry to reinvent itself, and hopefully everyone will land on their feet. I don't have any hatred for the major labels. I had a great relationship with Warners for a lot of years. But as with all industries, any industry that needs to grow must reinvent itself. And artists are seeing the opportunity to wield a certain amount of influence mainly because they have the one thing this industry needs the most - content.''

THE FACTS

--What: ``Tribute Concert to Michael McDonald.''

--Where: Shrine Auditorium, 665 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles.

--When:! 7:30 tonight.

--Tickets: $25.

--Information: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo: Singer Michael McDonald, who is being honored tonight at the Shrine Auditorium, is releasing an album later this month on his own Ramp Records label.

Box: THE FACTS (see text)