Charles Stoneking, or "Stonie" as we call him, is a mechanical contractor from Springfield, Illinois. Stonie is one of the original founders of the "Heartland Music Foundation", under which the 10th Illinois Cavalry Band is incorporated.

Stonie started playing the Eb tuba when he was in third grade under the guidance of his grandfather. He performed his first solo, "Jolly Farmer", while only in the 5th grade where he received the first of many first place medals, both at the district and state levels. Stonie attended Quincy College and went on to serve in the Air Force during the Vietnam conflict. Stonie has studied tuba under Mark Nelson, Arnold Jacobs, Red Lear, and Dr. Rodger Harvey.

Stonie is married to Doris who loves to dress in period clothing with our band. They have two daughters, Kristy Cox of Jacksonville, who is the mother of Stonie's two grandsons and Shannon Graham of Springfield.

Stonie enjoys history and collecting civil war period instruments, and today performs on Eb tuba with the 10th Illinois Cavalry band, Calvary Temple Orchestra, UIS Chamber Band, Springfield Municipal Band, Capital Area Band, Fritz and the Flying Dutchman Polka Band, Heartland Brass Band, and the 33rd Illinois Regiment band. Stonie says ever since his Grandfather started him out playing a tuba bigger than he was in the early 1950's, he has never lost his love for the instrument in all these long years!