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2005 Citrus County Fair

Brass band mixes it up among genres

The three-man group likes to present a show with lots of variety to keep the audience tapping their toes and always ready for more.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published March 18, 2005

The three-member Music City Brass band reaches back through a four-decade career to deliver a top-notch musical performance of country, Dixieland and gospel standards.

The three-piece horn group has been playing the fair circuit in Florida all month, with stops in Fort Myers, Tampa, Leesburg and Ocala.

The Ocala stop wasn't a musical gig, but a blown transmission on the band's motor home. After a few days to repair the rig, they were off to rest in Chattanooga, Tenn., before returning for the Citrus County Fair.

During the lull for repairs, Randy Croy, lead trumpet player since 1972 for the band, summed up the group's musical sound.

"We play country and Dixieland and gospel," said Croy. "About 99.9 percent of it is all instrumental."

The group's best received songs are the Dixieland and gospel songs, said Croy.

"Our signature pieces are I Saw The Light and Standing on Holy Ground," he said. "But the song that has sold the most records for us is a novelty song called The Train Song. It's got a lot of train effects on it."

While the band's three members play live, they rely on recorded tracks for a rhythm section, creating a full band effect.

The Music City Brass has a 36-year history, and Lloyd Melton, trombonist, is an original member. The third member is saxophonist Randy Clark.

During that career, the band has 15 recordings and has been nominated for three awards: the Dove (similar to a Grammy), the Horizon (honoring best newcomer) and Band of the Year by the Country Music Association.

The band will play at least two shows a day during fair week.

[Last modified March 18, 2005, 00:42:17]