Thomas Honored at Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum

Pictured (L-R): Former Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum honoree Liz Thiels, Gibson Guitar Corporation President Dave Berryman, former Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum honoree Denise Stiff, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper, former Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum honoree Bonnie Garner, Gary Scruggs, 2017 Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum honoree Traci Thomas, Randy Scruggs, and former Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum honoree Nancy Shapiro. Photo by Ron Coons, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Traci Thomas‘ career achievements were recognized by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Wednesday (Feb. 15) during its Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum. Americana Music Association co-founder Thomas forged a career by elevating the careers of tradition-rich roots artists, and during the program, Thomas discussed the ways that ingenuity and belief can help honest music thrive and win over marketplace norms. As a manager with Thirty Tigers, Thomas has guided the careers of artists like Jason Isbell, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, John Moreland, Allison Moorer, and Shelby Lynne.

The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum was established in 2007 to explore issues related to the business side of the music industry and to recognize an individual annually who represents the legacy of pioneering agent-manager Louise Scruggs, the wife and business partner of Country Music Hall of Fame member Earl Scruggs.

Previous honorees include Kay Clary, Bonnie Garner, Dixie Hall, Mary Martin, Jo Walker-Meador, Nancy Shapiro, Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, and Sarah Trahern.

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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