Longtime writer, editor and curator Michael McCall is set to retire from his role as associate director of editorial at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at the end of the year, following more than two decades of service to the museum. His final day with the museum will be Dec. 31.
He joined the museum in 2006. In his current role, McCall manages the development of written content for the museum’s exhibitions, books, public programs, website, social media and educational materials. McCall has curated or co-curated over 20 museum exhibits, among them the recent Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker exhibit and past exhibits including Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country RockandFamily Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy. He also co-edited the second edition of the museum’s Encyclopedia of Country Music, which was published by Oxford University Press. Additionally, McCall has hosted museum programs, interviewing artists and Country Music Hall of Fame members including Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Charlie Daniels, Reba McEntire and Wynonna Judd. He also wrote exhibition catalogs on Loretta Lynn and McEntire and authored a book on the museum’s archival collection.
“From the beginning of his tenure,Michael’s impressive journalistic sensibilities helped to establish the museum’s editorial voice,” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement. “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.”
“Working at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been the greatest honor of a career that overshot any of my dreams,” McCall added. “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.”
Prior to joining the museum, McCall served as senior editor for Country Music magazine from 1999 until 2003, and was a regular contributor to the Associated Press, Journal of Country Music, Los Angeles Times, Nashville Scene, Oxford American, People and other publications. From 1984 to 1990, he served as senior music writer for the Nashville Banner. McCall was the recipient of the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism in 2007. — Jessica Nicholson