From a Southwind press release: Southwind drum major Karl Stein recently was commissioned as a Kentucky colonel, joining the esteemed ranks of former U.S. president Lyndon Johnson, former U.K. prime minister Winston Churchill and astronaut John Glenn.

Karl Stein
This commission is the highest honor granted by Kentucky's governor and the commonwealth of Kentucky. According to kycolonels.org, the honorable order of Kentucky Colonels "has had the advancement of Kentucky and Kentuckians as its guiding principal. Kentucky Colonels are ambassadors of goodwill and fellowship and do not seek special privileges." To obtain a Kentucky colonel commission, an applicant must be recommended by an individual who holds a colonel commission. Following this recommendation, the governor of Kentucky then appoints a person to be a colonel. The applicant must also be 18 years old. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Governor's Office in Frankfort. The address is Attention: Lora Quire, Room 11, Governor's Office, State Capital, Frankfort, KY 40601.