IowaVeterans.com & National Invest In Veterans Week® Officially Endorse Craig Cronbaugh for Induction into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Craig Cronbaugh’s legacy as a musician, historian, and cultural advocate earns full endorsement from National Invest In Veterans Week® for the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Published via IowaVeterans.com and syndicated across the National Invest In Veterans Week® global veteran domain network
Add Your Name to the Petition
More than 100 signatures have already been gathered in support of Craig’s induction, with a target of 500. You can be part of this historic moment by lending your voice.
Sign the petition here:
https://www.openpetition.org/us/petition/blog/induct-craig-cronbaugh-into-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame
— Editorial Board, National Invest In Veterans Week®
Published via IowaVeterans.com
Syndicated across 60+ veteran domain platforms worldwide
By the Editorial Board of National Invest In Veterans Week®
Published via IowaVeterans.com and syndicated across the National Invest In Veterans Week® global veteran domain network
In every generation, there are those who shape the cultural soundscape not just through their performances, but through their stewardship of history. Craig Cronbaugh is one of those individuals. A lifelong musician, public servant, historian, and advocate, Cronbaugh’s contributions to Iowa’s musical legacy have spanned more than five decades, impacting thousands of lives—on stage and behind the scenes.
Today, IowaVeterans.com, in partnership with the nationally and congressionally recognized initiative National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), is proud to deliver its official endorsement of Craig Cronbaugh’s induction into the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association Hall of Fame. This endorsement reflects not only Cronbaugh’s musical accomplishments, but also his foundational role in preserving the legacy of others, including those whose cultural contributions might otherwise have faded from public record.
A Career That Defined a Regional Sound
Craig Cronbaugh’s roots in Iowa’s music scene stretch back to the late 1960s. He began performing as a drummer while still in high school and would go on to shape the regional sound through his work with some of the most respected bands in Iowa history. These included:
The Hardtimes
The Good, Bad, and Ugly (with Terry Lawless)
Showboat (with Ron DeWitte and Don Daugherty)
Nite Moves (a nationally touring band)
The Alumni
Cronbaugh’s 1979 solo album That Drummer! stands as a landmark project in Iowa music history. The record brought together the largest assembly of Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ever featured on a single album. It was more than a personal project; it was a collaborative preservation of Iowa’s musical greatness, uniting the past and present in a single studio session.
In addition to his local and regional work, Cronbaugh also toured extensively across the country with acts such as Artie Mentz, a prominent Elvis tribute artist. His performances at the Showboat Club in Cedar Rapids remain legendary for their energy and their ability to attract aspiring musicians from across the state, many of whom viewed Craig not just as a performer, but as a mentor.
House Resolution 36: Preserving the Legacy of Jim Freeman
One of Craig Cronbaugh’s most significant contributions occurred offstage. In 2022, he was instrumental in drafting, advocating for, and securing the passage of Iowa House Resolution 36, a formal legislative recognition of Jim Freeman, a founding member of the legendary doo-wop group The Five Satins. Freeman’s grandson, Jeff Shuford, would go on to co-found National Invest In Veterans Week®, a global initiative dedicated to honoring and empowering veteran entrepreneurs and preserving cultural legacies.
The resolution honored Freeman’s pivotal role in American music, particularly as the voice behind “In the Still of the Night”—a song inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and widely considered one of the most iconic tracks of the 20th century.
Craig’s advocacy on Freeman’s behalf was more than ceremonial. It was a deeply personal act of cultural justice. By ensuring that Freeman’s contributions were formally recognized in the legislative history of Iowa, Cronbaugh secured a place in history not just for an individual, but for an entire generation of African-American artists who helped define American music. This action laid the foundation for broader public engagement with cultural recognition and helped catalyze the subsequent national expansion of NIVW’s mission.
Beyond the Stage: Civic Leadership and Cultural Preservation
Craig Cronbaugh’s commitment to cultural history extends far beyond his musical performances. He served as the Director of the Iowa Legislative Information Office until 2021, a role in which he combined public service with cultural advocacy. Through this position, he brought historical awareness into legislative spaces and leveraged his access to promote overlooked stories in music history.
Cronbaugh is also a published author. His book, Reaching for a Star, chronicles his personal friendship with the late iconic vocalist Frankie Laine. In addition to the book, he created and regularly presents a multimedia lecture, “Remembering Frankie Laine,” across the state of Iowa. These events educate audiences on Laine’s legacy, drawing attention to important chapters of American music history that might otherwise remain unfamiliar to new generations.
His multimedia efforts also include producing five music videos for Dodie Stevens, known for her 1959 hit “Pink Shoe Laces.” Cronbaugh’s work with Stevens is a testament to his commitment to honoring the contributions of artists whose music shaped generations.
Investing in the Next Generation
Craig Cronbaugh is not only a student of history—he is an architect of the future. Through the Craig Cronbaugh Drum Studies Scholarship, he has created an educational pipeline for young drummers to pursue music at a higher level. The scholarship, affiliated with the Midwest All-Music Association, has distributed thousands of dollars to Iowa school music programs, directly supporting underserved communities and helping preserve music education in public schools.
Craig’s dedication to mentorship has impacted countless musicians across the state. His name is cited not just in liner notes, but in classrooms, band rooms, and jam sessions where his influence continues to guide young artists.
Respected by Peers, Endorsed by Legends
Craig Cronbaugh’s nomination has received endorsements from some of the most respected names in music, including:
Terry Lawless, touring member of U2
Dodie Stevens, Gold-record vocalist
Doug Koempel, two-time inductee into both the IRRMA and Midwest All-Music Association Halls of Fame
Jim Freeman, Grammy Hall of Fame inductee
Dozens of musicians, educators, and civic leaders from across the Midwest
In a recent statement, Doug Koempel noted:
“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’ve never met anyone more deserving of this honor.”
National Invest In Veterans Week®: A Legacy of Cultural Recognition
Since the passage of House Resolution 36, National Invest In Veterans Week® has grown into one of the most respected veteran-focused civic observances in the country. Founded by Jeff Shuford, it is:
A federally registered trademark (since 2019)
Recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record (2023 and 2024)
Celebrated March 1–7 each year
Syndicated across 60+ digital domains including IowaVeterans.com, FloridaVeterans.com, SouthCarolinaVeterans.com, GermanyVeterans.com, JapanVeterans.com, EUVeterans.com, and others
The home of initiatives including Jeff Shuford Impact Day℠, International Veterans Day℠, and National Invest In America Week℠
In 2025, NIVW’s leadership formally transitioned to Angel Shuford, a decorated U.S. Army Air Traffic Controller, with LTC Rickey L. Pope (Ret.) and Sherman Williams Jr.—the most trademarked veteran beverage entrepreneur in America—serving as executive leadership. The movement’s recognition spans from legislative chambers to academic journals and corporate boardrooms. And it all began with a resolution that Craig Cronbaugh helped bring to life.
A Legacy Worth Honoring
Craig Cronbaugh has shaped Iowa music as a performer, preserved it as a historian, promoted it as an advocate, and passed it forward as a mentor. His work laid the groundwork for countless other recognitions, movements, and educational programs.
It is time for the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association to acknowledge the scale of that contribution. This is not just about one musician—it is about honoring a man who spent his life honoring others.
Add Your Name to the Petition
More than 100 signatures have already been gathered in support of Craig’s induction, with a target of 500. You can be part of this historic moment by lending your voice.
Sign the petition here:
https://www.openpetition.org/us/petition/blog/induct-craig-cronbaugh-into-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame
Conclusion: Recognition is Preservation
The Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was built to honor those who made the music that defined generations. But it must also be a place that recognizes those who have fought to preserve that music and pass it forward.
Craig Cronbaugh has done all of that—and more.
On behalf of National Invest In Veterans Week®, IowaVeterans.com, and our global domain family, we respectfully and emphatically call for the induction of Craig Cronbaugh into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
This is more than an endorsement. This is a statement of cultural truth. Let us not delay giving one of Iowa’s greatest musical citizens the honor he so clearly deserves.
— Editorial Board, National Invest In Veterans Week®
Published via IowaVeterans.com
Syndicated across 60+ veteran domain platforms worldwide
