In the opening minutes of the Live@5 virtual performance, The Groove Diggers' lead Jerry McCoy said to an unseen audience, "Wish you were here."
Once again, Live@5 fans were forced to watch a livestreamed Facebook performance from home instead of at the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff.
Nonetheless, band members McCoy, Kenneth McDougald and Ben Arrington delivered their smooth, silky, signature sound.
Their opening song, the 1967 Young Rascals hit "Groovin," seemed reminiscent of pre-covid days when people were free to enjoy a Sunday afternoon without fear or 6 feet of separation.
"I feel it coming closer every day, you and me groovin..."
THE FANS
As one Groove Digger song flowed into the next, the lyrics brightened and warmed up an otherwise cloudy, chilly Friday evening in southeast Arkansas, and the number of Facebook listeners continued to grow with each song played.
Lindsey Collins, a Facebook listener and fan, wrote: "I love these guys! Great music!"
Among other songs, they performed John Mellencamp's 1992 hit "Jack & Diane" and Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927." Southeast and Central Arkansas were devastated by that major flood.
During the band's cover of Van Morrison's 1972 song "Tupelo Honey," Anita Lynn wrote on Facebook, "Love their Tupelo Honey!"
McDougald took the lead on Storyville's "Good Day for the Blues," singing the famous lines, "Sometimes you fly so high, you can't find a place to land."
Listeners Jill Healy and David Larry Byrd chimed in, expressing their appreciation for the band, while JD Matthews wrote, "Love it."
There were also lots of heart emojis from online listeners.
THE BAND
All of the band's members are from southeast Arkansas.
McCoy, who is from Star City, has played and recorded with artists including The Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts, Ronnie Milsap and Porter Wagoner.
In 2011, he was inducted into the Mississippi Blues Hall of Fame as a Master Blues Artist.
DONATIONS ARE NEEDED
While M.K. Distributors of Pine Bluff sponsored the 60-minute event that started at 5 p.m. Friday, the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas is asking for donations.
The performance is part of ASC's Live@5 concert recurring series that is held on the first Friday of every month.
"A virtual donation box will be available and donations will go toward supporting ASC's programming," said Shannon Frazeur, an ASC spokeswoman.
The entire Groove Digger concert will be available for future viewing at https://www.asc701.org.
LIVE@5 GOING LIVE BUT OUTSIDE
While too late for McCoy, his wish for an ASC in-person audience may soon come true.
After a year of virtual programming and livestreaming, the Arts and Science Center concerts may go "live," and Rachel Miller, ASC executive director, said this might be the last month of virtual Live@5 performances.
"We are planning for an outdoor Live@5 and hope we can host it in The ART Yard," Miller said.
The ART Yard is located two doors down from ASC's main building, 701 S. Main St., and behind the completely renovated and newly opened The ART Space on Main, at 623 S. Main St.
"If not, it'll be on the ASC's [main building] patio," she added.
The April 2 Live@5 performance will feature Pine Bluff guitarist Dave Sadler.
