We are excited to announce that Travis Smith has been selected as the recipient of the Al and Gladys Wright Award for 2025. This award is given to individuals who have shown exceptional dedication and passion in the band field after retirement.  We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Travis Smith for being named the recipient of the 2025 Al & Gladys Wright Service to Bands Award! From the moment Travis first picked up an instrument, his life's passion for music was ignited, and his unwavering dedication has been a guiding light for countless individuals. His work in music education, a field to which he has dedicated his life, is a testament to the thousands of lives he has changed and his esteemed reputation among hundreds of his fellow music educators.

Travis has taken every challenge in hand, overcoming obstacles throughout his distinguished career to become a truly highly successful band director and a well-known figure in music education. His appreciation from his peers is evident in all the awards he has received.  His commitment extends far beyond the podium; he has consistently served on numerous regional and state committees for various national organizations, including the Texas State Chair for ASBDA. He is adamant about furthering and bettering music education for all. Many of his peers in the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) know Travis best as the charismatic, friendly voice of our National Convention's auction. Travis has never met a stranger; he instantly becomes a great friend to all he meets. Some of his most wonderful attributes are his infectious laugh, bright smile, and welcoming Southern accent, all of which make him a genuinely unique and respected figure in the world of bands.