Main Street Brass of Cynthiana, those guys who have appeared in their spiffy stars and stripes hats, are making their tenth appearance at this year's festival. They will perform a mix of patriotic, religious, and pop musics, show tunes and old standards.
The group, which began playing in 1991, got its name after one of the members noted that most of the players were members of churches located on Cynthiana's Main Street.
The group's first performance was a collection of patriotic music dedicated to the troops and families of Desert Storm. Since then, word spread and the group has performed at weddings, private banquets, nursing homes, charitable benefits, and as the opening act for the Florida Boys gospel group concert
in Cynthiana. It has also played bicentennial celebrations in several area communities. The members performed in a Christmas Chorus at Rupp Arena in 1999. They have played at several funerals, especially for members' families.
The members come from diverse backgrounds but all are former members of the high school band. For most, it had been 15 to 25 years since they had played a brass instrument. One member even switched from clarinet to tuba.
The lead cornet player, Stanley Fizer, is a retired band director. Tuba player Frazier McKinney is the former junior high band director. The other members are Jerry Scott on euphonium, Bill Selin on cornet and alto horn, and Jim Lee on drums.
They will have a recording, "Main Street Brass: Early Years," for sale.