On October 22, 2006, a life-sized bronze statue of Mr. His Fort Dodge band was subsequently renamed the “Karl L. He lived in Fort Dodge for the remainder of his life, passing away on March 31, 1971. He served as ABA President in 1938 and was later named an Honorary Life President. Among many honors bestowed upon King was membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.

During his tenure, the Fort Dodge band gained national recognition, and King became a beloved member of the community as well as a band musician of national and international repute. In 1920 King relocated to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he assumed leadership of the municipal band and operated his own publishing company, the K. Recently married and intent upon settling down, King ended his circus “trouping days” and returned to Canton in 1919, where he led the Grand Army Band. In 19 he returned to the Barnum and Bailey Circus band, this time as its leader and conductor. In 1914 King accepted the position as bandleader on the Sells Floto/Buffalo Bill Combined Shows, a position he would hold for three seasons. Beginning in 1910, King began a decade-long career as a circus musician, spending one season each as a baritone player in the bands of Robinson’s Famous Circus, Yankee Robinson Circus, Sells Floto Circus, and the Barnum and Bailey “Greatest Show On Earth.” He continued to write music while a member of these bands, and in 1913 wrote what would become his masterpiece, Barnum and Bailey's Favorite. While a member of these bands, King began to compose marches and other works.

In 1909 King spent some time as a member of bands in Columbus and also Danville, Illinois.

His first band experience was with the Thayer Military Band of Canton, while in his teens. After receiving some instruction on the cornet, King switched to baritone. His family moved to Xenia a short time after his birth, and around the turn of the century the King family moved to Canton, where young Karl would begin to develop an interest in bands and music. King (21 February 1891, Paintersville, Ohio – 31 March 1971, Fort Dodge, Iowa) was an American composer and bandleader.

Call to victory march karl l. king