Stan Smith is a native Kansan with a degree in music from Central Bible College here in Springfield.  After serving as an associate pastor, he auditioned and enlisted as a saxophonist in the U.S. Army.   His first eight years included assignemnts with General Patton's old outfit, the 2nd Armored Division, a 3-year tour in Japan, and Missouri's own Ft. Leonard Wood.  He then applied for and was accepted into Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned into the Infantry and served until being caught up in massive post-war cutbacks.  With 12 years of service and not wanting to leave active duty, he reauditioned with the band and spent his last eight years as an Army saxophonist, retiring from Ft. Leonard Wood.

Being an Army musician brought playing experience in various genres to support the different musical tastes of today's soldiers and the variety of ceremonial and social events.  Reinnesance, classical, Dixieland, Broadway, big-band swing, jazz, rock-and-roll and of course, the military march, were all part of the normal musical duties.

Stan has also lived in Greenville, South Carolina where he played with a volunteer senior concert band and stage band.  These bands also played a good variety of music for different audiences and he was often featured as a soloist.  Now back in Springfield, Stan enjoys playing in his church and with the Fossil Gospel Band, a group of retirees playing the old-time hymns and gospel songs.