Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Celebrates Newest Circle Guard Initiates

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Pictured (L-R): Emmylou Harris, Jerry Williams, Ken Levitan, Mike Milom, E. W. “Bud” Wendell

Emmylou Harris and E. W. “Bud” Wendell announced the newest initiates to the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum’s Circle Guard recently at an intimate luncheon on the Museum’s Carlton Family Terrace. Harris and Wendell are Trustees Emeriti of the museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees, and Wendell is also a Chairman Emeritus of the board.

The Circle Guard celebrates individuals whose highest-level contributions of time, talent and treasure to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum safeguard the integrity of country music and make it accessible to a global audience. This is the second class of initiates to be honored with the designation.

In recognition of their significant contributions to the museum, the newest Circle Guard initiates are:

  • Ken Levitan, for engaging Vector Management’s artist-clients in the museum’s mission; providing generous philanthropic support; working as an entertainment producer for the museum’s All for the Hall benefit concerts; hosting events for the museum’s Honor Society membership program; and serving on the museum’s board for more than 15 years.
  • Mike Milom, for guiding the museum as its legal counsel since 1972 and being an architect of the institution’s culture; stewarding the preservation of country music history by ensuring that Bill Monroe’s mandolin, Mother Maybelle Carter’s guitar and two Johnny Cash guitars are held in the public trust through the museum’s collection for all time; and the ongoing work of Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC in service to the institution.
  • Jerry Williams, for advocating for country music and its museum across all sectors of the Nashville community for three decades; being present in institution’s daily life with her husband, Ernie Williams, who is a longtime museum board member; and making generous leadership gifts to the institution that ensure its future, including funding the Jerry & Ernie Williams Grand Lobby, located just inside the museum’s entrance from Rep. John Lewis Way S.

Beginning last Sunday (Nov. 7), these new initiates lead the Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute. The annual ritual, open to all museum visitors, pays tribute to each of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s yearly classes and their inducted members during the two weeks leading up to the annual Medallion Ceremony. Circle Guard members are conducting the ritual beginning Nov. 7 – Nov. 20, at 1 p.m. daily. The ceremony includes reading Country Music Hall of Fame members’ biographies in the museum’s Rotunda.

The new Circle Guard initiates join existing members David Conrad, Bill Denny, Mary Ann McCready, Seab Tuck, Steve Turner and Kyle Young.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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