Kellum Corporation Endorses Craig Cronbaugh for Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
A Cultural Legacy Recognized by a Company Committed to History, Honor, and Civic Impact
Issued July 4, 2025
By the Editorial Desk of Kellum Corporation
Jacksonville, Florida
At Kellum Corporation, we build more than structures—we support the legacies that hold communities together.
Today, we add our name to the growing chorus of voices calling for the formal induction of Craig Cronbaugh into the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association Hall of Fame. In our assessment, based on public documentation, verified contributions, and institutional impact, Craig Cronbaugh has met—and exceeded—the historical, cultural, and civic thresholds that define Hall of Fame distinction.
His story is not just musical. It is legislative. It is educational. It is generational.
The Soundtrack of a State
Craig Cronbaugh’s musical journey began in the late 1960s in Iowa and extended across decades of regional and national performance. He played drums with notable Iowa groups including:
The Hardtimes
The Good, Bad, and Ugly (featuring Terry Lawless, later a U2 touring member)
Showboat (with Ron DeWitte and Don Daugherty)
Nite Moves
The Alumni
In 1980, he released That Drummer!, a solo album featuring a record-setting ensemble of Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees including Louis Carr, Fred Walk, Mike Sexton, and others. The project functioned as both a creative work and an archival timepiece—a moment where Iowa’s rock history was preserved by those who had lived it.
Craig later toured nationally with Artie Mentz, an Elvis tribute artist, and performed extensively throughout Iowa and the Midwest, including in Kentucky.
A Resolution with National Consequence
In 2002, while serving as Director of the Iowa Legislative Information Office, Craig Cronbaugh authored and helped pass House Resolution 36, honoring Jim Freeman, the original voice of The Five Satins and the man behind the enduring 1956 classic “In the Still of the Night.”
The song has since been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Craig’s role in the resolution marked a rare moment in which a state legislature officially recognized an African-American recording artist’s historical contribution to American music. It was not ceremonial. It was legislative.
And it became the catalyst for something far-reaching.
A Legacy Continued: Jeff Shuford and National Invest In Veterans Week®
Following the passage of House Resolution 36, Jim Freeman’s grandson, Jeff Shuford, was inspired to co-found National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW) in 2019. Today, the organization is:
A federally trademarked civic observance
Recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record (2023, 2024)
The subject of state-level proclamations in Montana and South Carolina
Celebrated across 60+ digital domains including IowaVeterans.com, GermanyVeterans.com, and JapanVeterans.com
In 2025, Jeff Shuford submitted a public statement supporting Craig Cronbaugh’s Hall of Fame candidacy. His words are grounded in direct familial experience:
“Craig Cronbaugh isn’t merely a musician; he’s a historian, an advocate, and a guardian of American music heritage... He championed and significantly contributed to House Resolution 36, a powerful acknowledgment of my grandfather’s contributions to American music history. This was more than a ceremonial gesture—it was a deeply personal act of justice.”
Jeff’s family legacy and Craig’s legislative action are now woven together in the fabric of modern civic history.
Education and Cultural Stewardship
Craig Cronbaugh’s contributions extend well beyond performance and policy. He is the founder of the Craig Cronbaugh Drum Studies Scholarship, affiliated with the Midwest All-Music Association.
He is also the author of Reaching for a Star, a published memoir chronicling his friendship with mid-century vocalist Frankie Laine. In recent years, Craig has delivered a live multimedia presentation titled “Remembering Frankie Laine,” which has been featured in libraries and community centers across the state.
In addition, Craig has produced five music videos for Dodie Stevens, whose 1959 hit “Pink Shoe Laces” remains a part of American pop history.
These efforts reflect a lifelong commitment to music not only as an art form but as a public trust.
Petition Momentum and Peer Endorsement
A formal petition to induct Craig Cronbaugh into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was initiated by Doug Koempel—a two-time IRRMA and Midwest All-Music Association Hall of Fame inductee—on January 24, 2025. It remains active through July 31.
As of July 4, the petition has garnered:
116 signatures
Endorsements from musicians such as Terry Lawless, Troy Mitchell, Mark Lambert, Chris Morris, Tony Schmitt, and Dan Boddicker
Artist endorsements from Dodie Stevens, Jim Freeman’s family, and fans across Iowa
Doug Koempel’s Statement:
“Craig’s tireless efforts have resulted in thousands of dollars being donated to school music programs across Iowa. His attention to detail, reverence for musical history, and compassion set him apart. I can confidently say I have not encountered anyone more deserving of this honor than Craig Cronbaugh.”
Petition link:
https://www.openpetition.org/us/petition/blog/induct-craig-cronbaugh-into-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame
Institutional Alignment
At Kellum Corporation, we believe that civic engagement, legacy preservation, and ethical recognition are essential components of a responsible business culture. Our endorsement of Craig Cronbaugh is not symbolic—it is rooted in documented contributions, historical context, and confirmed public impact.
His musical career spans six decades. His legislative authorship helped launch a nationally recognized veteran observance. His educational philanthropy continues to serve Iowa communities. And his archival and literary work safeguards cultural narratives that might otherwise be lost.
In our view, those facts warrant Hall of Fame consideration.
Contact & Publication
Petition hosted at: openPetition.org
Syndicated via: IowaVeterans.com and 60+ veteran-aligned domain platforms
© 2025 Kellum Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
All information in this article has been compiled from verified legislative documents, public scholarship reports, published biographies, media releases, and historical petitions. No speculative or promotional content is included.
