CMHOF Honors Kay West At 14th Annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum

Pictured (L-R, back row): Lisa Purcell, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Michael McCall, Senior Museum Writer-Editor at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Nancy Shapiro; Denise Stiff; Kyle Young, CEO at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; (L-R, front row): Bebe Evans, Kay West and Bonnie Garne. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recognized writer and music industry veteran Kay West on Wednesday night (Nov. 16) at its 14th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum in the museum’s Ford Theater.

West discussed her 40 years in media in Nashville and on Music Row during an in-depth interview with the museum’s Michael McCall.

Michael McCall, Senior Museum Writer-Editor at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum & Kay West. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

As a journalist, she has been a regular contributor to People and TV Guide magazines and a staff writer at the daily Nashville Banner and weekly Nashville Scene newspapers. Her books include How to Raise a Lady and How to Raise a Gentleman, and the cookbook Around the Opry Table.

She has held positions as media director at MCA and RCA, and has served as an independent publicist for Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, and George Strait.

She has also volunteered her time in support of political causes and charitable organizations, including Women for Tennessee’s Future, Nashville CARES, Magdalene/Thistle Farms and more.

The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum was first presented in 2007. Past honorees include Kay Clary, Bebe Evans, Bonnie Garner, Dixie Hall, Cindy Mabe, Mary Martin, Bev Paul, Nancy Shapiro, Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, Traci Thomas, Sarah Trahern, Marcie Allen Van Mol and Jo Walker-Meador.

The program was filmed and will be available to stream on the museum’s website next year.