Pynk Beard, Steve Ray Ladson, Elsie and Stella Prince will team up for next month’s “Moonshine & Music” tour, which brings the music of By Any Means: The Album to seven U.S. cities. Built around reinterpretations of classic soul, R&B and pop songs from the 1960s, the tour, which is presented by Ole Smoky Roadshow, gets underway on Nov. 6 at Delmar Hall in St. Louis.
Admission to shows at the Nashville and Myrtle Beach Ole Smoky Distillery locations will be free, while tickets for concerts in St. Louis, New Orleans, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Los Angeles will only cost $10. The lineup spotlights Pynk Beard’s take on Southern soul, Ladson’s self-described “Blackgrass Brothercana” style, Elsie’s blend of country, gospel and blues, and Prince’s indie-folk sound.
The tour will also feature guest appearances by Tone Stith, Reyna Roberts, 2’Live Bre and Tatiana Marie Clark that vary by date. Rissi Palmer, host of Apple Music’s Color Me Country Radio — which celebrates diversity in the genre — selected a local opening act for each show.
By Any Means: The Album arrived on Sept. 25. Musically directed by Pynk Beard, it serves as a companion to the feature film By Any Means, which stars Mark Wahlberg and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The project brings together artists from different genres to revisit songs associated with Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Nina Simone, Otis Redding, Dinah Washington and other influential performers.
The album finds Pynk Beard teaming with Brandy for a version of Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack.” Elsewhere, Kashus Culpepper takes on Washington’s “What a Difference a Day Makes,” while Elsie covers Nina Simone’s “I Love Your Lovin’ Ways” and Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me.”
Ladson delivers a rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Other contributors include Keb’ Mo’, Tone Stith, Reyna Roberts, Tatiana Marie Clark, Ariel J. and The BoykinZ.
Several tracks were recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a landmark of Southern soul music in Pynk Beard’s home state. The project’s executive producers include Hit-Boy, the Surf Club co-founder whose credits span Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Travis Scott and Drake, and Dr. Blum, whose production work includes Twenty One Pilots, Big Sean and Nas.
“By Any Means,” an original song performed by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Isley Brothers with singer-songwriter David Kushner, leads the album. It appears in both film and single versions and was written by 17-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren
Net proceeds from By Any Means: The Album benefit the Black Music Action Coalition, which works to advance equity and expand opportunities for Black artists and music-industry professionals. A special-edition vinyl pressing is available for preorder here. The album is also streaming on major platforms.
Palmer, who also leads the Color Me Country Foundation, helped connect the tour with emerging artists in each market. She received the Academy of Country Music’s 2024 ACM Lift Every Voice Award. Her foundation advocates for greater representation in country, Americana and roots music.
The “Moonshine & Music” tour follows a Sept. 26 performance at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas featuring Pynk Beard, Ladson and The BoykinZ, held in conjunction with the release of By Any Means: The Album.
Tickets and additional information regarding the upcoming “Moonshine & Music” tour are available through Anzie Blue Records. Tour dates are below:
- Nov. 6 — St. Louis, Mo.: Delmar Hall. Opening act: Brian Owens.
- Nov. 8 — Nashville, Tenn.: Ole Smoky Distillery. Free show; opening act: Kenny Sharp.
- Nov. 10 — New Orleans, La.: The Howlin’ Wolf. Opening act: Joy Clark.
- Nov. 11 — Atlanta, Ga.: Smith’s Olde Bar.
- Nov. 12 — Jacksonville, Fla.: Ritz Theatre and Museum. Opening act: Seckond Chaynce.
- Nov. 13 — Myrtle Beach, S.C.: Ole Smoky Distillery. Free show.
- Nov. 17 — Los Angeles, Calif.: Desert 5 Spot. Opening act: Miko Marks.