CIRCLE GUARD

Honors Preeminent Contributors

For the two weeks leading up to the October 16 Medallion Ceremony, the Museum’s Circle Guard conducted the Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute. Through these daily ceremonies, living Hall of Fame members, their families, and friends joined together with Museum visitors to celebrate the achievements and perpetuate the esteem of the 146 Hall of Fame members who preceded the 2022 class.

In addition to safeguarding the time-honored achievements of Hall of Fame members and all who are part of the country music story, the Circle Guard recognizes the unwavering commitment of its fellow Museum leaders. In 2022, Ken Roberts became the tenth Circle Guard member. For twenty-six years, Roberts served on the Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees. He was both a community pillar and a cultural leader—a founding father of modern Nashville and a true champion of the arts. As former president and CEO of The Frist Foundation, he shared the beauty and cultural significance of country music with his fellow Nashville influencers and played an important part in the Museum’s growth. Roberts died December 2, 2022, after a lifetime of service to Nashville and its business, arts, and music communities. His legacy of support for our coummunity lives on.