The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Announces
2026 Iowa Rock Hall of Fame Inductees
& Award Winners
The Class of 2026 will be inducted Labor Day Weekend in Arnolds Park
The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Announces New Director To The Board of Directors
Brian Kohlwes was elected from Dubuque in the N.E. Iowa Region
(Arnolds Park, IA) - The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association has recently voted to add Brian Kohlwes to its Board of Directors. Brian is married to his wife Morgan, and they currently reside in Dubuque, Iowa
Brian and Morgan enjoy their motorcycle and their weekend home on East Lake Okoboji, Iowa, and spending much of the time boating and enjoying the Iowa Great Lakes. In 2015 he relocated to Dubuque, Iowa for a career opportunity with Hirschbach Motor Lines. Hirschbach is the second largest refrigerated truckload carrier in the US and has approximately 2500 trucks. Brian serves as Hirschbach’s General Counsel & Chief Risk Officer where he is responsible for the following departments: legal, claims, safety, DOT compliance, insurance and risk. Brian holds a small minority share of ownership in the company as well. Brian also sits on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Iowa Motor Truck Association (IMTA) which represents trucking interests. Brian is slated to be Chairman of the Board in 2026-2027 of IMTA.
Brian is also a musician and got his musical start in high school. His passion is playing bass guitar and making music. Brian joined The Sons of Gladys Kravitz in 2002 which was made up of veteran members of the Central Iowa music scene. Sons of Gladys Kravitz were admitted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Class of 2025, with Brian inducted as a member of the group.
Brian stated: “What an honor and a privilege it is to represent Dubuque and Eastern Iowa in joining this board. I truly look forward to working alongside this wonderful team filled with individuals of diverse backgrounds to advance the associations’ values of honoring achievements, educating youth and inspiring artists. ”
Ted Poulsen, the President of the association stated, “I am glad to see the addition of Brian Kohlwes to our Board of Directors. Brian brings significant skills and vision to helping build on the mission at the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association.”
Visit Our Museum
Our Museum has stories to share and we have expanded our collections. You'll find a new exhibit on display now that you won't want to miss!
Learn About Our Hall of Fame
The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame is available from these two kiosks that contain the stories of all of our inductees.
Enjoy Our Two Theaters
The two theaters in our museum give a unique perspective to the history of Rock and Roll in Iowa.
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Our inductees stories are being created in video for our database project. We want to remember the contributions of all of our inductees into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame.
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(Arnolds Park, IA) - The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association is pleased to announce the Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This year marks the 29th year of the legacy of honoring achievements since the founding of the Association. Inductees and award winners represent all regions of Iowa: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast and Central.
Ted Poulsen, President of the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Association stated: “Everybody’s working for the weekend—induction weekend! It is our pleasure and honor to publish this list of distinguished inductees and award recipients! We have carefully considered the hundreds of nominations, and with ability to only issue a few awards each year, we take the review seriously and deeply, with our mission in mind. We have selected an incredible class of inductees representing a broad spectrum of accomplishments and inspiring talents that have impacted many lives and enhanced the artistic fabric of the State of Iowa.”
The celebration will kick off with an Okoboji Rocks Concert on Friday evening, September 4. The concert will feature the following acts: Ritchie Lee, The Floras and Holy Rocka Rollaz, Chris Montez. The Opening Ceremony is on Saturday morning and an Inductee Meet & Greet will be on Saturday evening, September 5. Also, on Saturday afternoon, there will be the finals of the statewide Iowa Rocks Talent Contest. This contest is for Iowa youth, ages 21 and younger, to compete in an exciting live performance environment. The winners will open the Hall of Fame Induction Concert on Sunday evening in the Roof Garden Ballroom and have the opportunity to record at Catamount Studio. The weekend culminates with the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Induction Ceremony and Concert and autograph party on Sunday, September 6.
2026 Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees:
Band Category: Cave Band, Acoustic Groove, The South Prairie Band, Artist Band, Murphy’s Law, Standing Hampton, and Lizard Creek
Border Band Category: The Floras
Music Store Category: Ray’s Midbell Music
Individual Category: Ryan Sather, Dan Cassady , Steve Hugg , Dan Olsen, Jerry Steinke, Bev Gilpin, Dirk Newton, Chris Montez, Candy Givens, Richie Lee, Damon Dotson
Promoter Category: Steve White, David Bernstein, Adam Feiges
DJ Category: Dan Crouse, Jim Bollard (a.k.a. DJ Jimmy Jim)
Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award: Carlos Capdivila, Bob Pace
Matousek Lifetime Achievement Award: Walter Chancellor Jr., Clarence “Pops” Kenner
2026 Special Achievement Awards (These are not inductions into the Hall of Fame):
Spirit Award: The Holy Rocka Rollaz, Valerie Kane
John Senn Legacy Award: Doris Welle
The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association annually inducts musicians, bands, DJs, ballrooms, promoters, inventors and others who have significantly contributed to rock and roll music in the State of Iowa. Since incorporation in 1997, more than 575 entities and over 2,000 individuals have had the honor of being inducted or awarded. Inductees must have a minimum of 25 years of experience in the music industry.
The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association welcomes nominations through the website: www.iowarocknroll.com/nominate. Nominations that have been brought forward on or before September 15, 2026, are considered for the Induction Class of 2027.
Details on the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame Induction Spectacular Weekend schedule and ticket information will be forthcoming at www.iowarocknroll.com and on the social media website: www.facebook.com/IowaRockNRollMusicAssociation.
The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association exists to preserve the legacy of rock and roll music in Iowa by honoring achievements, educating youth, and inspiring artists. Established in 1997, as a 501(c)(3) non- profit statewide organization.