The series kicked off on June 6 with the Rimshotz Blues Band, a five-member blues band from Southern Pennsylvania. The band adds their own style to classic and modern blues music, performing some of the great blues artists such as BB King and Etta James. Toni Milbourne

HARPERS FERRY — Jefferson County’s newest entertainment venue, The Amp at Sam Michael’s Park, has kicked off a Summer Concert Series for June and July. The Amp, dedicated on May 4 at the Park’s Soaring Into Summer event, was constructed with financial assistance from the West Virginia State Division of Culture and History as well as local dollars from impact fees and the parks and recreation capital budget fund.

The summer concerts are offered free of charge each Thursday evening in June and July. Rockwool donated a portion of the cost to ensure that the event could be offered at no cost.

“We are grateful that we can offer the concerts at no cost,” said Parks Director Jennifer Myers. “We want to show the community what a beautiful addition The Amp is and begin offering entertainment to all.”

The series kicked off on June 6 with the Rimshotz Blues Band, a five-member blues band from Southern Pennsylvania. The band adds their own style to classic and modern blues music, performing some of the great blues artists such as BB King and Etta James.

“We had around 100 people here for the show,” Myers said. “It was a good start and hopefully as people hear about the series, our crowds will increase.”

June 13 followed up with the Fuzzy Match Band from Frederick, Maryland. Joining the band recently was Jennifer Maghan, co-owner of Black Dog Coffee. Maghan is no stranger to the event field at Sam Michael’s Park as she played several times at the county’s July 4 celebrations beginning in the late 2000s. Fuzzy Match offered danceable cover songs as well as original pieces.

The Flashbacks will provide an eclectic mix of oldies, classics, rock and vintage country as they take to the stage June 20. Band members tout that they offer everything from Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis to Wild Cherry and the Stray Cats. They will be sure to have the audience engaged and rocking along.

The Kelly Bell Band, voted the best blues band in the mid-Atlantic region 12 years in a row, will perform on June 27. The band hails from Baltimore, Maryland, and they come combining elements of hip-hop, fund and blues-electrified.

Following a break for the July 4 holiday, the series picks back upon July 11 with the Jordan English Jazz Band, whose mission it is to bring jazz appreciation and education to local schools and surrounding communities. The members of the band are professional musicians and educators.

“It was our goal to provide a wide variety of genres in the concert series,” said Becki Zaglifa, Public Relations for the park system.

“We want to make sure there is something for everyone,” Myers added.

What is sure to be a favorite will be the United States Air Force Band-Singing Sergeants, who will fill the Amp stage on Thursday, July 18. The Singing Sergeants are the official chorus of the United States Air Force, stationed at Join Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. The band features 23 active duty Airmen musicians, offering a wide range of musical styles such as opera, choral standards and modern Broadway.

Closing out the 2019 Summer Series will be The Cruisers, a variety band offering classic rock, southern rock, fifties and more. The band recently performed at the Ranson Festival where they provided a stimulating show with attendees clapping and singing along.

The concerts begin each Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the performances from the event field. Concessions will be available for those who to purchase.