Kanwha, Iowa – The Kraft Brothers, Jimmy and Kevin Kraft, grew up in Kanawha. "Everybody comes from somewhere," Jimmy said, "we come from here." Jimmy graduated in the class of 1986, Kevin graduated in the class of 1991. And while the two are now a popular touring musical act, both stay grounded in Iowa. Jimmy now lives in Des Moines, and Kevin lives and farms just outside of Kanawha.
This year, for the 75th annual Labor Day festivities in Kanawha, the pair posted to their Facebook page that they were "going home" to perform as the headline act in the annual street dance, sponsored by the Town Tap tavern. "We play all over," Kevin said, "it's always nice to come home and see the hometown people."
The brothers have been playing together as a band for 13 years, "but we've been brothers our whole lives," Kevin joked. "Music is what holds our family together," Kevin added, getting more serious, "it's how we find our heaven."
"This is my life," Jimmy said, "North Central Iowa. Playing music. Opening at a racetrack. Playing a party. Live music, you can't beat it. It's a living, breathing thing."
The surprise of the evening was singer songwriter Liv McNair of Garner, who was performing with the Kraft Brothers as the two acts took turns relieving each other. Describing her style, McNair said "I do covers, I write my own stuff too," but she also added, "I countrify everything I do."
McNair, who has a new album coming out soon, said that she owed her burgeoning career as a professional musician to the Krafts. "They had played at my uncle's memorial service. I kinda got a wild notion, and sent them a message saying, 'I'm kind of a bedroom player, but I'd like to try and perform for you.' They said they were playing a party and I should come and perform for them after." The brother's clearly liked what they heard, because they started working with McNair right away. "They've been a huge catalyst for me, for my music," McNair said, "I would not be where I am without them."
"She's a legitimate talent, an amazing artist," said Jimmy of McNair, "and she's got new music coming out."
McNair said that the Krafts had inspired her to become more prolific. "I wrote a love song and a sad song in the same week," McNair pointed out. "I was really living my Taylor Swift moment that week."
Both acts put on a great show, and had the crowd singing, swigging, and dancing along.
