The sound of soul came to Middlesboro

Published 12:51 pm Friday, August 2, 2019

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Ray Welch|Daily News Briza Wolfe wowed the crowd Thursday night with her orginal sketches and drawings. Throughout the evening, Wolfe provided the crowd with live demonstrations of makeup art.

Ray Welch|Daily News Local artist Jade Robertson opened Thursday night’s Levitt AMP show performing several new songs for the crowd.

Ray Welch|Daily News The sound of soul could be heard and felt Thursday night throughout downtown Middlesboro for the third week of the Levitt AMP Middlesboro Music Series as Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics took the stage.

Ray Welch|Daily News Ruby Velle of Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics brought the sweet sound of soul to the Levitt stage Thursday.

The sound of soul could be heard and felt Thursday night throughout downtown Middlesboro for the third week of the Levitt AMP Middlesboro Music Series.

Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics headlined the evening and did not disappoint with their sweet soul music, as Velle calls it.

“We mix our little blend of old and new, and we have been doing really good with that for 13 years,” she said.

Despite the rain that moved in and out quickly, the Levitt Lot was still packed with many from the community who filled the area with chairs and picnic blankets, and many still kept their umbrellas handy.

Opening for Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics was local artist Jade Robertson.

Robertson, best known for her rasp and grit she provides in her vocals, has been performing since the age of 13. She introduced the crowd to several new songs and intertwined them with older songs she’s been performing.

Food vendors set up along the blocked portion of Cumberland Avenue and many took advantage of the ice cream truck to provide a cool treat to relieve them from the heat and mugginess that followed the rain showers.

New this year, a local artist will be featured each week with their work being displayed. Artist Briza Wolfe displayed her artwork and even provided the crowd a live demonstration of her talent.

This season, the Levitt AMP Middlesboro Music Series includes an impressive lineup of artists who will perform each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. from July 18 to September 19.

The series will feature a diverse lineup of high-caliber talent spanning genres like bluegrass, country, soul, jazz, r&b, rock n’ roll, blues and more.

Also scheduled to perform are:

• Brent Cobb on Aug. 8 (GRAMMY nominee);

• Heather Newman on Aug. 15;

• Sammy Miller and The Congregation on Aug. 22; (Sammy Miller – GRAMMY nominee)

• Larkin Poe on Aug. 29;

• Southern Avenue on Sept. 5

• Sister Sadie on Sept. 12 (GRAMMY nominee)

• Mike Farris & the Fortunate Few on Sept. 19 (Mike Farris – GRAMMY winner).

“Grab your family, friends and neighbors and get ready to experience the power of free, live music to bring our community together,” Ayers encouraged. “Each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. it is a family-friendly concert series open to the public, so come out and enjoy!”