VA Senator Jams With GMU's Green Machine Pep Band

FAIRFAX, VA — Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D) accompanied George Mason University’s Green Machine pep band during the men’s basketball game against St. Joseph’s College.

Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential running mate in 2016, started playing the harmonica at an early age and likes to play at country store “picking parties” or jump on stage to perform at bluegrass festivals and other other musical events, according to Time magazine.

"Part of the secret to Tim Kaine's success in Virginia politics has been finding a way to appeal to the rural folks in southwest Virginia, and one of the ways he did that was playing the harmonica," said White House correspondent Michael D. Shear, in a 2016 New York Times video.

After jamming with music professor Dr. Michael "Doc Nix" Nickens and the Mason student musicians, during the second half of the game on Saturday, Kaine returned to his court-side seats with his wife, Anne Holten. A short time later, Kaine helped to throw free T-shirts to the crowd watching the game.

The Patriots squeaked by the visiting St. Joseph's College Hawks, overcoming a 16-point deficit to win 58-57 at Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax.