[infowarrior]

I read the first three books many years ago, but was The Stand sorry of connected to the story on some fashion?

Yes, "The Stand", and "The Dark Tower" series were connected, loosely, in the character of "the walking man". He was apparently, a universal 'bad guy' in the Steven King multiverse...

[cripplecreek]

The book “Insomnia” is also tied in but you only get a one sentence reference to “King Roland”.

[OddLane]

The Walkin' Dude. Dude