2008 Grand Marshal-MIKE SMITH
Springfield’s St. Patrick's Day Parade committee is pleased to name Mike Smith, Grand Marshal of the 28th annual edition of Springfield's St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Born
near the banks of the Colorado River in Grand Junction Colorado, our 2008
Springfield St. Pat's Parade Grand Marshal appreciates St. Patrick as
the Patron Saint of miners. Mike Smith's father, grandfather and an uncle
or two all worked in the industry. His father's job as a uranium miller
would take the family from Colorado to South Dakota and even to "Home
on the Range". Yes that Home on the Range, on the Oregon Trail in
Wyoming where the deer and the antelope play. Mike Smith himself would
work in a lead mine near Salem Missouri during the summer months of his
high school and early college years.
Smith's radio career began in Salem Mo. while he was still in high school.
His first job (as an announcer) was at KETU-FM. He was then hired as news
director for KSMO-AM.
After volunteering for and serving 3 years in the U.S Navy Submarine Service,
Mike Smith enrolled in (Southwest) Missouri State University using the
GI Bill to help pay the way.
In 1980, Mike Smith joined the announcing staff of Public Radio KSMU-FM
91.1, where he was named chief announcer in 1982, the same year he began
production on his weekly Bluegrass radio program "Seldom Heard Music".
Now well into its 25th year, Seldom Heard Music is believed to be the
longest running Bluegrass music show on radio in Missouri. For his efforts
in promoting Bluegrass, (even though his favorite color is green) Smith
was inducted into the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels in 2005.
Mike Smith was named KSMU's news director in 2000 and served in that position
until his retirement from Missouri State University in 2006. During Smith's
tenure at KSMU, hundreds of MSU students were trained as announcers and
reporters while at the same time, the station earned multiple state and
national awards for news and production.
Entries are still being accepted for the parade. Registration is free, but all participants must pre-register. This year, cash prizes of $500, $250, and $100 respectively will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the float division.
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