The Los Angeles trio By All Means began recording for 4th and Broadway in 1988. The group featured lead vocalist, trumpeter, and trombonist James Varner, vocalist Lynn Roderick and guitarist Billy Shepherd. Roderick was previously an actress who had appeared on Moonlighting and Cagney and Lacey, among other shows, while Shepherd had been in The Skool Boyz. Varner and Roderick met while touring with Bill Withers in 1985. Producer Stan Sheppard suggested that they form a band with his brother Billy after seeing them in performance.

Their debut LP (1988) was called By All Means. They had a modest hit with "I Surrender to Your Love”. That song, "You Decided to Go” and a Marvin Gaye medley attracted some airplay and interest, as did their videos.

Their second LP was Beyond a Dream in 1989. It was well produced and had some good vocals from Lynn Roderick and some decent arrangements and compositions. What it didn't have was a breakout single or a standout album cut. It didn't enable them to continue building from the good buzz that their debut had gotten. By All Means also produced tracks on Gerald Alston's solo LPs for Motown. Artists as Alfie Silas (vocals) and Gerald Albright (Sax) joined with some of their albums.

Their most recent release was It's Real for Motown in 1992. This album features the hit single "The Feeling I Get", elegantly introduced by a piano. Varner and Lynn Roderick share lead on this emotional ballad that is reminiscent of the classic songs Ashford & Simpson penned for Motown during its heyday. However, the single only managed to peak at a disappointing #48 on the Billboard R&B charts after an ample 12 weeks on the charts. The group's rendition of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," also penned by Ashford & Simpson, has a soulful feel and swinging beat unlike the original, which is more mainstream. By All Means has been underrated, despite of their excellent workmanship. The more reason to put them on-line.

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