Michael McCall To Retire From CMHOFM

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Michael McCall

Longtime writer, editor and curator Michael McCall will retire from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at the end of the year after more than two decades with the organization.

McCall joined the museum in 2006 and currently serves as Associate Director of Editorial. He oversees written content for exhibitions, books, public programs, the website, social media and educational materials. He has curated or co-curated more than 20 exhibitions, including the recent Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker, as well as Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country Rock and Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy.

He has also hosted numerous museum programs and conducted interviews with Country Music Hall of Fame members including Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Charlie Daniels, Reba McEntire, Wynonna Judd, Patty Loveless and Hank Williams Jr. McCall co-edited the second edition of the Encyclopedia of Country Music, published by Oxford University Press, and has written exhibition books on Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntire. He also authored a book about the museum’s archival collection.

“From the beginning of his tenure, Michael’s impressive journalistic sensibilities helped to establish the museum’s editorial voice,” says Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “He brings broad historical knowledge with an innate ability to not only understand the music and the people behind it, but also place it within the greater cultural context. Before he joined the museum, he was a talented journalist and well respected by artists and musicians alike. We were lucky to have him and grateful for his two decades of service enlightening and educating us all.”

Before joining the museum, McCall was Senior Editor of Country Music magazine from 1999 to 2003 and contributed to publications including the Associated Press, Journal of Country Music, Los Angeles Times, Nashville Scene, Oxford American and People. From 1984 to 1990, he worked as Senior Music Writer for the Nashville Banner, covering news, opinion and features. During that time, he interviewed artists including Waylon Jennings, George Jones and George Strait. In 1986, he also documented Loretta Lynn’s three-week USO Tour of military bases across Southeast Asia.

“Working at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been the greatest honor of a career that overshot any of my dreams,” adds McCall. “After arriving in Nashville, I noticed how the museum excelled at interpreting and contextualizing American roots music and its important role in popular culture. I will forever appreciate the opportunity given to me by Kyle Young, Liz Thiels and Jay Orr to work alongside a talented, committed staff in continuing the museum’s sanctified mission.”

McCall received the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism from Belmont University and the International Country Music Conference in 2007. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and English literature from San Francisco State University. Born in Gary, Indiana, McCall attended high school in Jonesboro, Arkansas. His final day with the museum will be Dec. 31.

Madison Hahnen
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