The Band
Marc Strand - Trumpet/Vocals
Marc Strand, trumpet player, started playing trumpet in the school band at age 10. Fell in love with it and has never been able to put it down. He played the typical marching band and concert band in high school and college. He played in a small three piece combo in graduate school to make a little pizza money. He is currently the orchestra director for Higher Ground Baptist Church. He plays with the Has Beens and has conducted several events in the Tri-Cities including the Liberty Celebrations, The Sound of Music this past year for North East State, and the Bristol Passion Play. He recently retired from his day job is as a Research Chemist for Eastman Chemical Company. "Playing with Big Band Theory is about as much fun playing music as anyone should be allowed to have."
Charlie Herron - Drums
Charlie Herron is a native of Kingsport, Tennessee where he attended Ross N. Robinson Junior High School and graduated from Dobyns Bennett High School. Mr. Herron served thirty-four years as Director of Bands at Ross N. Robinson Middle School in Kingsport, Tennessee before his retirement. He also served twenty-five years as Choir Master at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from East Tennessee State University in 1971 and a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from East Tennessee State University in 1983. Following graduation, he served two years as Band Director at Unicoi County High School in Erwin, Tennessee before coming to Robinson Junior High School.
Robinson Middle School, Mr. Herron's concert bands have consistently received superior ratings in sight-reading and on stage performance at state concert festivals. In 1988, The Robinson Concert Band was chosen to perform at the Tennessee Music Educators' Association Annual in Service Conference. In 1993, the Robinson Brass and Percussion were chosen to perform in concert with the Dallas Brass.
. Herron is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Music Educators' National Conference, Tennessee Music Educators' Association, East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (Honorary Life Member), National Band Association, Percussive Arts Society. Mr. Herron has received two National Band Association Citation of Excellence Awards. He has received three Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts Outstanding Teacher Awards. He has been recognized five times in the WHO'S WHO AMONG AMERICA'S TEACHERS. Mr. Herron is a Pro-Mark Educational Endorser, a member of the VIC FIRTH, inc. EDUCATION TEAM, a member of the D'Addario Education Collective, the Sabian Education Network and an endorser for the Drumometer by DrumDial. He has served as clinician and adjudicator in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. In 2015, Mr. Herron was one of three Kingsport teachers elected to the inaugural class of the Kingsport City Schools Hall of Fame. Established as the keystone award for former employees, the KCS Hall of Fame recognizes educators that have most impacted the Kingsport educational community during their careers with KCS. Now that Mr. Herron is retired, he teaches private lessons, arranges marching music, writes drum books for marching band show music, holds clinics with drum lines, works with concert bands, concert percussion, percussion ensembles and mentors new band directors. In addition, he is an adjunct instructor with the Elizabethton High School Band and the T.A. Dugger Middle School Band. In his spare time, he plays drum set for The HasBeens, a big band that plays 30's and 40's swing music and also a jazz quintet named Time Further Out.
Bryan Brewster - Saxophone
Bryan has been playing saxophone for over 35 years. From a young age, he has performed in all types of venues across the nation, and around the world. He got his start in his local church with his Mother as his piano accompanist, to performing on stages and events in several countries, such as Mexico, Ireland, England, and touring the Caribbean playing for Carnival Cruise Lines. Bryan is a native of Kingsport, TN, and currently resides in Church Hill, TN with his beautiful wife Kimberly, who is our lead female vocalist in the BBT. Bryan received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from East Tennessee State University. From Classical, to Broadway, Jazz, Rock ‘n Roll, and even a lil’ Country as well. Bryan has covered all genres of music. Bringing a collection of horns with him, Bryan is very fluent on Soprano, Alto, and Tenor Saxophone. “I am very blessed to be still playing after all these years, and I thank God for those blessings, and for giving me the talents to perform. The enjoyment of playing in front of one, or a large crowd is like no other, and I hope to be able to do that for many more years to come. I enjoy being a part of Big Band Theory, and ALL the talented musicians and singers involved with the group.” - Bryan Brewster
Kimberly Brewster - Vocals
Kimberly Brewster, vocalist, was born in Las Vegas and has lived in many different places because her dad was in the Air Force, but she has lived in Tennessee since 1987. She has been singing most of her life in church with her musical family. She has also performed with “The Has Beens” Big Band Orchestra as well as the Jazz combo “Time Further Out”. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish at ETSU and a Master of Arts degree in education at Cumberland University. She has been a Spanish teacher at Cherokee High School since 1995. She loves to bring music into the classroom as well. She is married to our saxophone player, Bryan Brewster and has 2 children, Samantha and Aaron.
Byron Lawrence - Trombone
Been playing the trombone for 40+ years. I am a local and my roots are deep at Sullivan South and Tennessee Tech. Played trombone all through high school and college. I have played in several different church orchestras and glad to help and worship anytime. I really enjoy playing the Big Band era music as well as any jazz, big band, rock, or classical charts. In other words, I enjoy all music genres!! Playing in BBT has been a great joy and over the years and I have met a lot of people who follow our music – this has been a rewarding experience for me.
John Alan Smith - Bass
John Alan Smith, the bass player, is a native of Kingsport and has played bass since high school. He is happily married to Wendy and has two daughters. By day, he practices General Dentistry and likes to do outdoor activities. He loves all genres of music and also plays cello locally in the Tri-Cities
Ric Burns - Keyboard, Bass, Guitar
Performing professionally for over 40 years, Ric is delighted to be a member of Big Band Theory. Ric earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Glenville State College in Glenville, WV, and his Master of Music Education from East Tennessee State University. After time spent teaching in West Virginia and South Carolina, Ric has been the Director of Band at Castlewood High School in Castlewood, VA since 2001. When not teaching or playing music, Ric likes to spend his time at home in Bristol VA with his wife Elizabeth.
Jeff Summers - Guitar
Piano lessons at 5, then guitar at 11. Jazz guitar since high school in the Batavia High Jazz Workshop in the '70s, and a bit of solo work on synth and guitar after that. Jeff also has experience with mixing and recording. He plays guitar for Higher Ground and Liberty Celebration. He recently retired from ETSU and is an Emeritus Professor and Emeritus Chair in the College of Medicine.