Live music fans in Daphne have a free night out to look forward to this week, as Moe’s Original BBQ on Bayfront Park Drive prepares to welcome country singer Ricky Crook and his group, The Horseshoe Halo Band, for a performance set to begin at 6 p.m. Friday.
The Baldwin County barbecue restaurant has built a reputation as one of the few spots in the area offering live music in a setting that welcomes listeners of every age, pairing local barbecue with a steady lineup of touring and regional acts. Admission to Friday’s show is free, making it an easy option for families and music lovers looking to spend an evening out without the cost of a ticket.
Crook, a native of Atmore, grew up steeped in the sounds of classic country music. His family spent Sunday afternoons gathered on his grandparents’ porch for informal jam sessions, an upbringing that shaped the artist he would eventually become. Over time, his influences broadened to include country traditionalists such as Vern Gosdin, Buck Owens and Johnny Bush, alongside Southern rock staples like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Those influences show up clearly in his recorded output, which blends twang-heavy storytelling with rock-tinged energy.
Since 2017, Crook has steadily released singles and EPs through the Sherrick-Nashville label, building a catalog that leans hard into the traditional side of country music. Early tracks like “In My Truck” and “For Anything” recall the sound of 1980s and 1990s country radio, when artists such as Randy Travis and Garth Brooks dominated the charts. His subsequent releases have followed a similar formula, balancing up-tempo honky-tonk numbers with slower, more reflective ballads.
What sets Crook apart, fans and reviewers say, is his voice — a smooth instrument capable of moving easily between tenor and baritone ranges as a song’s mood shifts. That vocal range, paired with lyrics rooted in everyday life, has made him a favorite among listeners who prefer the traditional side of country music over its more pop-influenced modern strains.
Friday’s performance gives Baldwin County audiences a chance to hear that sound live and up close, in a casual, no-cover setting that has become something of a signature for Moe’s Original BBQ locations. Doors and dinner service begin ahead of the 6 p.m. start, with the restaurant located at 6423 Bayfront Park Drive in Daphne.