Tim Kaine's Secret Weapon: The Harmonica

By Alex Gangitano

Posted March 17, 2016 at 12:06pm

Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine took the stage at the American Ireland Fund’s annual gala on Wednesday night to entertain the audience with his musical talent.

D.C.’s 19th Street Band asked the senator to join them and bring his harmonica at the after-party. He showed off his talent with solos on the classic Johnny Cash ‘Folsom Prison Blues ‘ and on the Bob Dylan/Old Crow Medicine Show ditty ‘Wagon Wheel .’

According to his office, Kaine has been playing the harmonica for at least 20 years. He brandished it on the campaign trail in 2012 as well, playing it at the Floyd Country Store in Floyd, Va.

UNITED STATES - August 10: Gov. Tim Kaine plays the harmonica for a packed house at the Floyd Country Store in Floyd Virginia. Gov. Kaine is campaigning in Southwest Virginia this weekend, including stops at the Floyd Country Store in Floyd and Barr's Fiddle Shop, the 77th Old Fiddler's Convention, and the Twin County Regional Chamber's annual — Kaine has been known to play the harmonica at such venues as the Floyd Country Store in Southwest Virginia. (Douglas Graham / CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The D.C. gala, one of many around the country, was held at the Naitonal Building Museum and honored Kaine and former Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio and included a special introduction from Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis.

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