The Blues By Budweiser concert series will feature Jerry McCoy and the Groove Diggers at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors will open at 7 p.m.
Port City Blues Society members are admitted free. Admission is $5 for others. The concert series is sponsored by MK Distributors.
Jerry McCoy got his first guitar at 15 after seeing the Beatles on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” He fell in love with the guitar and music in general. The first two records he bought were by the Beatles and B.B. King. He never stopped pursuing his passion for learning all that he could about his chosen craft, according to a news release.
McCoy has toured and recorded with The Allman Brothers Band, Ronnie Milsap, Dickey Betts Band and others based out of the Nashville music scene. In 2011, he was inducted into the Mississippi Blues Hall of Fame as a Master Blues Artist, according to the release.
The artist moved back to his hometown of Star City, where he formed Jerry McCoy and the Hammers. He enjoys playing with The Groove Diggers and the Port City Blues Players, as well as recording original music in his home studio. He is an active member of the Port City Blues Society.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Monticello native Ben Arrington began his musical journey at age 14 playing in local rock bands and has since traveled the country playing bass with such notables as Danny Federici of the E Street Band and award-winning songwriter Paul Williams and his own California-based band Diamondback.
Arrington has played with the classic rock/blues band the Hammers, as well as with the Groove Diggers and the Port City Blues Players, among others. He is also a frequent performer at the Port City Blues Society blues jam.
Kenneth McDougald began playing guitar as a teenager and grew up in a family that loved and played music. He has played with many local and regional bands and has played the festival circuit for many years throughout Arkansas. He has opened for many nationally known acts. McDougald became a Groove Digger in the fall of 2020 and is enjoying playing the music he loves with them, according to the release.
David Williams, guest drummer for the Nov. 2 performance, is a highly regarded and sought-after percussionist in the Central Arkansas area. He plays for many diverse events and bands, including the On Call Band, the Williams Singers and for area worship services. He is also a frequent player at the Port City Blues Society weekly blues jam, according to the release.
Port City Blues Society, an affiliated member of the Blues Foundation, seeks to preserve and promote blues music, the culture of Delta blues and educate the public about the history of the blues in the region. Port City Blues Society also hosts a free weekly blues jam at RJ’s Grill & Bar, where area musicians play live blues from 8-11 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Details: pc-blues.com or facebook.com/PCBluesSociety.