The rain couldn’t stop the Grammy-nominated drummer Sammy Miller and his ensemble, the Congregation from delivering their powerful sound of joyful jazz Thursday night on the Levitt Stage.

“Middlesboro you’ve been great,” Sammy Miller said as the group took the stage for the encore performance.

The rain did cause the performances to be delayed, but the Levitt Lot filled with several people quickly after the rain moved out. The audience was excited to participate in the sixth week of free, live music.

“What a great evening we have had here tonight,” Dana Greene, host each week for the Levitt AMP Middlesboro Music Series said as the night came to a close. “Be sure you come out for another great show next week. I don’t know if it can top tonight’s show but we will see.”

The audience laughed and danced along as Sammy Miller and the Congregation performed skits throughout their musical performance.

“They have been so much fun,” audience member Pamela Murphy said. “I wasn’t expecting everything they did tonight, but that made it even more fun.”

To check out Sammy Miller and the Congregation, visit their YouTube on their channel Sammy Miller and the Congregation. There you can hear their original works that were performed Thursday on the Levitt Stage.

Pianist/keyboardist, singer/songwriter, and composer Ben Maney opened the evening with sounds that ranged from rock to Delta blues and jazz fusion to Americana.

Maney is based in Knoxville, where he has been a staple in the musical scene for almost 30 years and can be heard in several downtown music clubs.

“We are so excited to continue this music series,” Emily Ayers, Director of Middlesboro Main Street exclaimed. “We want everyone to come out next Thursday for Larkin Poe with Lauren and the Howlers.”

New this year, a local artist will be featured each week with their work being displayed. Students from J. Frank White Academy’s art class displayed their artwork for the crowd to enjoy.