| Executive Director |
Mr. Kyle Young |
| E-mail |
kyoung@countrymusichalloffame.org |
| Term Start |
February 1999 |
| Kyle's Experience: Kyle Young is the Chief Executive Officer of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and directs and oversees all operations and activities of the organization, including the Museum, library, research, publications, and teaching programs. Young also oversees the museum's programming, advertising, marketing, and finances. After graduating with a BA in English from Kenyon College in 1975, he joined the Museum in 1976. Since then, his accomplishments include founding the Museum's Education Department, serving as editor of the Journal of Country Music and CMF Press, establishing presences in calendar and book publishing with major New York firms, and building the Museum's award-winning record reissue label. Named acting director in May 1998, Young led the team that created the financing, design, and construction of the downtown museum, which came in on time and under the allotted $37 million budget. After a national search, he was confirmed as director in February 1999. Along with Chairman Steve Turner, Young spearheaded the creation of a public/private partnership with the Metropolitan Government of Davidson County and Omni Hotels International to facilitate an expansion of the current facility, more than doubling its size. The expansion was made possible under Young's direction through an $87 million capital campaign. Young currently serves as an ex-officio board member for the Country Music Association and a member of Nashville's Agenda Steering Committee, and the Tennessee Tourism Committee. He also serves as a Peer Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums. Young is an alumnus of Leadership Music and Leadership Nashville. He has been nominated for three Grammy awards and has won one. |
| Award / Recognition |
Organization |
Year |
| 1st Place - Educational Design (Night Train to Nashville) |
Southeast Museums Conference |
2005 |
| 1st Place Tennessee History Book Award |
Tenn Historical Soc/Tenn Libr Assn |
2006 |
| 2017 Poster Design Gold Award (Publication Competition) |
Southeastern Museums Conference |
2017 |
| Arts Leadership Award |
TN Governor's Arts Awards |
2019 |
| Award for Excellence in Resources |
American Alliance of Museums |
2016 |
| Award of Excellence for Educational Programs for 'Is it a Fiddle or a Violin?' School Program |
Tennessee Association of Museums |
2012 |
| Award of Excellence for Temporary Exhibitions and for Educational Programming for I Can't Stop Loving You, Ray Charles & Country Music |
Tennessee Association of Museums |
2006 |
| Award of Excellence in Books/Publication for the Chet Atkins exhibit book |
Tennessee Association of Museums |
2012 |
| Award of Excellence, Book or Catalogue |
Tennessee Alliance of Museums |
2016 |
| Award of Excellence, Exhibition |
Tennessee Alliance of Museums |
2016 |
| Awards of Excellence for the Patsy Cline: Crazy for Loving You exhibit companion book; the Museum Souvenir Book; and the Gallery Guide for Taylor Swift 'Speak Now' exhibit |
Tennessee Association of Museums |
2013 |
| Blockbuster Exhibit Award - Outlaws and Armadillos: Country?s Roaring ?70s |
Tennessee Association of Museums |
2019 |
| Excellence in Volunteer Engagement certification |
Office of the Mayor, Nashville in partnership with Hands on Nashville and the Center for Nonprofit Management |
2012 |
| Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy Featured in First-of-Its-Kind Google Cultural Institute's Virtual Exhibition |
Google Cultural Institute |
2016 |
| Finalist, Skanska Educational Enhancement Award |
Center for Nonprofit Management |
2017 |
| Governor?s Environmental Stewardship Award for Excellence in Materials Management |
State of Tennessee |
2018 |
| Grammy - Best Historical Album - Night Train to Nashville Music City Rhythm and Blues |
National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. |
2005 |
| Piedmont Natural Gas Excellence in Sustainable Practices Award |
Center for Nonprofit Management |
2018 |
| Pinnacle Award recognizing organizations delivering outstanding K-12 videoconferencing programs |
Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration |
|
| Publication Design Competition, First Prize, Museum Event Sales Kit |
American Association of Museums |
2015 |
| Publication: Book/Catalog Award - Outlaws and Armadillos: Country?s Roaring ?70s Exhibition Book |
Tennessee Association of Museums |
2019 |
| RCA Studio B added to the National Register of Historic Places |
National Park Service |
2012 |
| Silver - Internet Marketing Excellence |
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International |
2006 |
| The Sustainability Excellence Award (Programming) |
American Alliance of Museums |
2018 |
| American Alliance of Museums |
2021 Bronze MUSE Award in the category of Video, Film, Animation, and Live Media for BIG NIGHT (At the Museum) |
2021 |
| 42nd Annual Telly Awards |
Silver Telly Award (3) for BIG NIGHT (At the Museum) production/online fundraising event |
2021 |
| The Frist Foundation Innovation in Action Award |
Center for Nonprofit Management |
2022 |
