SPRINGFIELD – Calvin Orlando Smith was in the seventh grade when he heard Jim Nabors sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” on The Gomer Pyle Show.
It was a life-changing experience.
During recess the next day at school, he stood on the playground and started singing.
“In my biggest untrained baritone, I sang, ‘Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,’” he said during a 2020 interview. “Of course the kids…
