Tim Kaine is obsessed with harmonicas

Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton&#039;s running mate, is said to have an affinity for music — and particularly, for harmonicas. — (Image credit: Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images)

We all have our hobbies, and Sen. Tim Kaine's hobby is harmonicas. He loves harmonicas. A lot. He carries multiple harmonicas in his briefcase. He once held a "Harmonica With Tim" promotional contest where the winner got dinner and a harmonica lesson with him. He randomly shows up at bluegrass jamborees with his harmonicas to jam. You don't get between Kaine and his harmonica.

Hillary Clinton's mountain music-loving running mate first learned to play the harmonica in seventh grade, and his skills now command the respect of fellow Virginians all across the state:

"One Sunday I'm there in the circle playing banjo and suddenly TV cameras show up," said Alan Graf, a lawyer and a musician, who often plays at the Floyd Country Store. "Tim Kaine walks in, and he sits down and someone goes, 'That's Senator Tim Kaine,' and I go, 'Oh great,' so much for a relaxed session with cameras beaming at you."Mr. Graf was "leading" the song that Mr. Kaine joined in on, which in bluegrass means he can dictate who gets to take a solo during a break."And we're playing, and I notice Tim's looking at me," he said. "And I figured it was time for a solo. So I gave him the nod," he said with a pause, laughing. "Like Hillary."[…] "But he took it, he took it, man," Mr. Graf said. "He just jumped on it. He was ready to go, and he took a pretty mean harp solo." [The New York Times]

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.