The Bistro in the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Small Business Incubator hosted the Tina Cossey Band on Sept. 27.
The monthly “Catfish Friday” event was begun by the Delta Rhythm & Bayous Alliance founder Jimmy “Catfish” Cunningham Jr. It launched in 2019 to highlight the wide variety of musical talent from the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta. Cunningham’s intent is to underscore the vital and vibrant blues and soul traditions of the region while providing patrons delicious catfish dinners from the on-site food truck.
Friday night’s event saw more than 50 familiar faces return to partake of the monthly musical offering.
This September’s performance featured another group of faces familiar to Pine Bluff, The Tina Cossey Band. In September a year ago, the Port City Blues Society held their “Road to Memphis” competition to decide who would represent the Pine Bluff non-profit in the 39th annual International Blues Challenge held in Memphis each January. Tina Cossey and her fellow players synched the contest, going on to reach the semifinals of the world-renowned blues conclave on Memphis’ Beale Street in January of this year.
Prior to Friday night’s show, Cossey shared a few of her latest ventures. She said, “You’ll notice the entire band are wearing ‘call2duty’ T-shirts tonight. It’s an organization we are promoting sponsored in part by the Copeland Foundation. Their primary function is to help educate veterans in the fight against opioid addiction.”
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She went on to say, “In 2025 ‘call2duty’ will sponsor a talent search at four locations across the state where the winner will be the opening act for a major artist at Simmons Arena in 2026. The first search begins this upcoming November 9 at the River Market Amphitheater in Little Rock. I’m acting as their lead influencer for the upcoming events.”
Cossey further shared how her new seven-song album titled, “Roll With It” will drop in November. The soon-to-be released record will earmark a percentage of proceeds to a veteran’s organization focused on mental health.
The group will also be recording a live album in Pine Bluff’s RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar in December.
Before Friday night’s show, master of ceremonies Cunningham gave the audience the opportunity to win some vintage artwork through a blues and soul trivia contest. He said, “You can take home some art tonight to enhance your life and home that is connected to the long musical heritage and legacy of the blues in this region.”
Introducing Cossey, Cunningham said, “Buckle up and get ready for a powerhouse band representing all kinds of genres from blues to R&B to soul.”
Taking the stage, Cossey said, “We like to call Pine Bluff our home because this is where we started out as a band.”
The current group lineup contains Darius Blanton on drums, Josh Parks playing lead guitar, Ryan Hinman on bass, Jared Admire with slide and rhythm guitar and Tina Cossey fronting the group with lead vocal.
With two guitars, drums and bass backing Tina’s explosive voice, the group brought a big sound to the cozy confines of the comfortable Bistro.
She kicked off her first set with “I Sing the Blues,” followed by the title track from her latest record, “Roll with It.”
As promised, the performance contained an eclectic mix of songs including, “Folsom Prison Blues” and a handful of new original compositions titled, “Mississippi,” “You Make Me Feel So Fine” and “Soldier Boy.” Midway through the first hour, Cossey rolled out one of her standards, channeling Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company’s classic, “Ball and Chain.”
As the crowd rose to their feet in response to the powerful rendition, Cossey said, “I’m glad to see so many familiar faces here tonight. I could come to Pine Bluff every day.”
Before the break, she said, “Now we’re going to slow the tempo down a bit.” With that, the group tuned up another new number from their upcoming record titled, “Feel the Blues.”
As Josh Parks finessed his six-string electric, the song took on a very Carlos Santana vibe leading into Cossey’s soulful singing that carried the crowd along on a mystical, musical journey.
Near the end of the first hour, local guitar legend Jerry McCoy joined the group on stage to show off his versatile talents, blending seamlessly in with the group.
During the mid-show break, audience members took in the historic blues based paintings and posters lining the walls of the room. The plethora of art work faithfully recounts the history of famous folks from Pine Bluff and Jefferson County who have had a lasting impact on the world in all walks of life.
Upcoming 2024 Catfish Fridays are scheduled for Oct. 25, Nov. 22 and Dec. 27 with a yet to be announced entertainment lineup.