One of North Mississippi’s busiest party and wedding bands for well over a decade has been the Soul Tones, out of Oxford.

Hatched from a group put together by highly respected U of M music professor and drummer Ricky Burkhead in the early 2000s, the Soul Tones solidified their reputation as one of the area’s premiere wedding bands in recent years.

It started when Burkhead had to assemble band personnel for corporate or university events, which included the annual Rebels’ Choice Awards multiple times, along with his son Timothy Burkhead, before relocating to Nashville.

Around that time, local singer Damein Wash joined the group, eventually taking over the task of booking engagements, and steered the Soul Tones further down the path of what he calls “A commercial, working, wedding band.”

Wash said folks sometimes ask him why they don’t play at bars around town, but it’s because private or civic gatherings mainly fill up their busy calendar.

In fact, the Soul Tones regularly book over 20 weddings a season, on top of several banquets and corporate events – which have roughly spanned from New Orleans to Memphis to Nashville.

Among appearances that have drawn the local spotlight have been regular stops at The Pavilion to play at Ole Miss basketball games, and other annual performances have included Martin Luther King, Jr. and Juneteenth celebrations.

Although the full band is ten pieces, including several talented vocalists – and bass guitar, lead guitar, keyboards, trumpet, saxophone, and trombone accompaniment – they offer a variety of personnel packages. Depending on the venue or circumstances, these trim down to a duo and everything in between. Always have full sound and stage accommodations ready.

“We pride ourselves on covering all styles,” said Wash. “We will learn any special tunes you want. Any under the sun.” 

Although very versatile and essentially regarded as a soul band (as suggested by the name), no genre is out of reach to this collection of seasoned musicians, including a wide span of country, jazz, R&B, pop, and rock & roll. 

Since members of the group have deep roots in gospel, they have also taken part in ceremony music and performed as part of a choir on one occasion. 

Although the Soul Tones song list is lengthy and has hundreds of favorites to choose from, “Sign, Sealed, Delivered” is among the most requested, as well as singer Effie Burt’s rendition of the classic “Proud Mary” and a popular pick for the first dance, “At Last.”

Lovely and talented vocalist Shanna Travis is so committed that she drives from Ridgeland, MS, for most of the band’s big local events and sings a rendition of “Car Wash” that is guaranteed to turn on the dance floor.

On the softer side, Wash has gotten good audience feedback lately from his versions of English singer-songwriter Ed Sheerin’s music.

Other regular members include horn player Casey Ray Lipe, who plays shows with his own KC & the Moonshine Band and is a prominent member of the local jazz community – along with Michael Worthy, another U of M music educator.  

Wash explained the importance of word of mouth when booking private events such as weddings, such as how one gig can likely lead to another and then another until the group eventually takes on as much as they can.

Although Wash does most of the booking through the Soul Tones’ website, their relationship with wedding planners and event designers in the area, such as Anna Purvis, Ellen Thomas, and Dakin Reed, has accounted for great opportunities and connections with clients.

The group recently connected with Ford Center Director Julia Aubrey about applying musical renditions to recent popular plays that have come through town, including “Dear Evan Hansen.”

“It’s like playing with the best of the best,” he said of his bandmates. “In town, these folks are giants, and that’s why we’re requested. Because everybody’s so good. The sky’s the limit.”

More information is available at TheSoulTones.com.

By Davis Cohen