With the International Blues Challenge in Memphis beginning Jan. 16, local competition winner the Tina Cossey Band will represent Port City Blues Society at the week-long event.
In honor of successfully earning a spot on the Beale Street stages, the group was treated to a send-off celebration Dec. 16 at RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar in downtown Pine Bluff. During the two hour show, the combo introduced a collection of songs, including four originals that they will be performing for judges in January.
This will be the 39th annual International Blues Challenge held in Memphis each January.
“The world’s largest gathering of blues musicians will take place on Beale Street, Jan. 16-20 with over 20 clubs hosting (over 200) challengers and fans,” according to the IBC website.
The IBC is an international search for the best blues performers in the world and has repeatedly proved a springboard to launching the careers of its participants.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Port City Blues Society held a battle-of-the bands July 22 to determine who would represent Pine Bluff in the 2024 IBC, with Cossey and her bandmates clinching the prize.
Port City Blues Society President Dave Sadler explained the backstory.
“Tina came to a Wednesday night blues jam two years ago. She got up and sang and met her drummer Lex that night. Along with some others, they formed a band and now they’re headed to Memphis. The band calls RJ’s their homebase,” Sadler said.
Cossey is excited about the event.
“I don’t know if you know it or not but we’re going to the IBC,” Cossey said. “It’s all thanks to Mrs. Rose,” she said of RJ’s co-owner, Rosie Pettigrew. “This is where we started. She believed in us when nobody else did. Now here we are and here we go. I’m honored and it’s a hell of a rush!”
Regarding preparations for the Memphis competition, Cossey explained how the group have been taking care of business.
“We’re polishing up our performance and adding new changes in every rehearsal,” she said.
Describing the songwriting process on the four new numbers, Cossey said, “I’m the lyricist and the guys made the music.”
Cossey launched her show with, “I Sing the Blues” followed by a classic Luther Allison song. The set included a full blown blues version of “Folsom Prison Blues” done in a style never before heard and “Hoochie Coochie Man” with a slight twist rebranded as, “Hoochie Coochie Woman.”
One outstanding offering of the evening was Janis Joplin’s Big Brother and the Holding Company’s “Ball & Chain” complete with raspy vocals and an emotional presentation.
“She doesn’t know it, but Tina is doing what I dreamed of doing 20-years ago, singing her way to IBC,” said Michele McBurney, who was in the audience.
Following a “Tennessee Whiskey” medley, Cossey introduced her players. They are Lex “Capraitalia” Arenella on drums, Josh Parks on lead guitar, Jared Admire on rhythm guitar, Ryan Hinman on bass and Darius Blanton on keyboard.
During a brief intermission, PCBS raffled off a Jackson electric guitar followed by another hour of outstanding jams and an original number titled, “Moonshine Blues.”
Tina Cossey and her band members played blues before a packed-house at RJs on Dec. 16. Band members are, Darius Blanton (left) on keyboard, Tina Cossey with lead vocals, Jared Admire on rhythm guitar , Lex Arenella on drums, Josh Parks on lead guitar and Ryan Hinman on bass. (Special to The Commercial/Richard Ledbetter)