A British style brass band in the very heart of Texas is set to perform to perhaps the largest television audience in the banding world on 2nd August.

Baseball

The Texas Star Band from Lewisville near Dallas will play the American National Anthem at one of the biggest baseball games of the year, when the Texas Rangers take on their great rivals the Los Angeles Angels.

The home team, who were pipped to the World Series title last year, is also one of the best supported in the business too, with close on 50,000 fervent supporters cramming in to watch the team play at their Rangers Ballpark Stadium in Arlington.

Millions

The band’s co-founder Jonathan Kramer told 4BR: "These are a huge series of games with a television audience that runs into the millions. The Rangers are back to their best and such is the demand to perform the National Anthem that we were chosen from over 400 applicants just for one game!"

He added: "The stadium is magnificent and the atmosphere when the Anthem is played sends a chill down the spine. Having just been formed in 2011 this is a huge honour for us – especially as we are a British style brass band and not an American marching band!"

We are also huge fans of the great contests in the UK and we wish all the competing bands the very best in Preston and will follow the action on 4BR for sure!Co-founder, Jonathan Kramer

Welsh and English connection

The Texans are also keen to develop their growing connection with All England Masters Champion Tredegar, and recently sent a Texas State flag to the Welsh band to hang in their bandroom.

Preston

Meanwhile, all the band members will be following the action at the English National Championships this weekend, as they have taken the innovative step of offering their best wishes to all the competitors by sponsoring an advertising banner on the 4BR site.

"We are keen to develop our partnership with Tredegar," Jonathan added, "so sending the flag was a welcome gift from their new found supporters in Texas.

We are also huge fans of the great contests in the UK and we wish all the competing bands the very best in Preston and will follow the action on 4BR for sure! The banner just shows them that we will be following them all in heart of Texas."