We introduce a novel class of planar random source producing far fields with multi-ring-shaped average intensity patterns by modeling the source degree of coherence, and confirm that such sources are physically genuine. Further, we derive the analytical expressions for the cross-spectral density (CSD) function of the beam-like fields generated by the novel source propagating in free space and in a linear isotropic random medium, and analyze the evolution of the spectral density and the state of coherence. It is shown that at some distance from the source the spectral density of the propagating beam in free space takes on the shape-invariant multi-ring profile, and the number of rings and intensity profiles of the beams can be flexibly adjusted by changing the source parameters. However, in atmospheric turbulence, we find that at sufficiently large distances from the source, the multi-ring profiles are destroyed by the medium, even if it remains such for intermediate distances from the source.