Yesterday, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recognized acclaimed writer and music industry veteran Kay West at its 14th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum in the museum’s Ford Theater. In an in-depth interview with the museum’s Michael McCall, West discussed her 40 years in media in Nashville and on Music Row.

As a journalist, Kay West 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 well-received books include “How to Raise a Lady” and “How to Raise a Gentleman” and the cookbook “Around the Opry Table.“ Her resume comprises high-profile positions as a record company media director (MCA, RCA) and independent publicist (Patty Loveless and Country Music Hall of Fame members Alan Jackson and George Strait).

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

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

The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum is presented by Gibson Gives. The philanthropic arm of Gibson the iconic American instrument brand, Gibson Gives has a strong focus on supporting the global music community.

Louise Scruggs (1927-2006) was married to Country Music Hall of Fame member and banjo great Earl Scruggs. In the mid-1950s, she began booking and managing Flatt & Scruggs and their band, the Foggy Mountain Boys. She was the first woman in country music to assume these roles, and astutely guided her husband’s career for half a century. 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.