Jo Walker-Meador To Be Honored During Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum

Jo Walker-Meador

Longtime CMA Executive Director Jo Walker-Meador will be honored during the eighth annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater.

Born Edith Josephine Denning, the Orlinda, Tenn., native was the executive director of the Country Music Association from 1962 to 1991. She joined the then-newly formed CMA as office manager in 1958; prior to her work with the organization, she worked as a mortgage broker, served as secretary to the president of Crescent Amusement Company, and worked on a public relations campaign for a Tennessee gubernatorial candidate.

During her tenure at CMA, the number of Country radio stations in the United States increased from less than 100 to more than 2,000. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened on Music Row in 1967, the CMA Awards show was launched in 1967, and Fan Fair (later renamed CMA Music Festival) began in 1972.

Walker-Meador retired in 1991 and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995.

During the event, senior historian John Rumble will host a forum interview with Walker-Meador, covering the history of her career, her early days at the Country Music Association, establishing the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the changes in Country music throughout her tenure.

Previous honorees are Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, Mary Martin, Bonnie Garner, Sarah Trahern, Nancy Shapiro and Kay Clary. The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum honors the memory Bluegrass Hall of Fame icon Louise Scruggs.

The event is free and open to the public, though reservations are requested. Reservations can be made by emailing [email protected] or by calling 615-416-2040.