Photo Credit: Jon Luini

Bay Area ensemble Moonalice have shared an acoustic version of their soulful anthem, “Old & Proud.” The song is a tribute to the spirit of the older generation, helmed by vocalist Lester Chambers, who confidently embraces age on the call-and-response track presentation, stripped-down from its original format. 

“Old & Proud” is part of a fresh batch of Moonalice material written alongside Nashville, Tenn., songwriter and producer Dylan Altman. The track captures Chambers’ experience of fleeing the 1950s Jim Crow South and escaping to The Land of Milk and Honey, where he pursued a life in music. 

“At the age of 83, ‘Old and Proud’ has quickly become a new anthem for me,” said Chambers via press release. “I see and hear so many ways to be thankful and proud and especially happy to be this age. To those of you who have made it this far along in your journey of life, I say ‘God Bless You’ and for all of those who wish to make it to your golden years, I say ‘God Help You.’ Remember, no matter what your age, you can sing it out, ‘I’m Old, I’m Proud and I Like my Rock n’ Roll Loud,” 

Chambers was born in 1940 in Carthage, Miss., and escaped a sharecropper’s life, relocating to Los Angeles in the ‘50s alongside brothers George, Joe and Willie, who collectively performed as The Chamber Brothers. Considered leaders in black psychedelia, the band of brothers delivered “Time Has Come Today” during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. The song became an anthem for the disenfranchised and disillusioned youth of America.

Chambers has continued to embrace his musical path with Moonalice and their outpouring of positivity. The band has recently performed at BottleRock Festival in Napa, Calif., and at Skull & Roses in Ventura, Calif. Next, they’ll make their way to Alaska, where they will participate in Salmonfest and the South East Alaska Fair. Learn more about the band’s upcoming concert appearances here. 

Listen to “Loud & Proud (Acoustic)” now.