Jo Walker-Meador Addresses CMA Staffers

Pictured (L-R): CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern, Country Music Hall of Fame member Jo Walker-Meador, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee at the CMA office Friday. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA

Country Music Hall of Fame member and former CMA Executive Director Jo Walker-Meador took time to address CMA staff at their Nashville office Friday morning.

Walker-Meador, who served as Executive Director of the organization from 1962 to 1991, recounted the founding of CMA and shared anecdotes from her time at the helm. Walker-Meador was an integral part of core CMA initiatives that continue to this day such as the first CMA Awards, creation of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the founding of Fan Fair (now CMA Music Festival), and bringing country music to international consumers.

A surprise guest was also in the audience. Fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee quietly watched Walker-Meador and surprised her longtime friend following a staff Q&A session.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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