The Circle Guard unites and celebrates individuals whose highest-level contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum safeguard the integrity of country music and make it accessible to a global audience through the museum. Initiation into the Circle Guard ranks as the grandest distinction afforded to those whose unwavering commitment to the museum protects the legacies of the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and, by extension, the time-honored achievements of all who are part of the country music story.

Circle Guard initiates perpetuate Country Music Hall of Fame members’ esteem and celebrate their contributions to American cultural history. Each year, for the two weeks leading up to the Medallion Ceremony, which is the formal induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame for its three newest members, the Circle Guard conducts the Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute, which honors each Hall of Fame member who preceded this latest class. Circle Guard initiates also advance Hall of Fame members’ procession into the museum’s CMA Theater to commence the Medallion Ceremony.

Circle Guard Members

Steve Turner, Founder

Kyle Young, Commander General

David Conrad

Bill Denny

Ken Levitan

Mary Ann McCready

Mike Milom

Jay Orr

Ken Roberts (12/12/1932 – 12/2/2022)

Seab Tuck

Jerry B. Williams

Jody Williams

Ceremonial Stole

During the annual Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute, Circle Guard initiates wear formal garb. The focal point of these garments is the Ceremonial Stole, which was designed by couturier Sandi Spika Borchetta to be worn by Circle Guard initiates when conducting the Road to the Hall of Fame.

The front side of the Ceremonial Stole is rich in country music symbolism. Embroidered along the wearer’s right side are the Latin words “Musica Rustica Movet,” translating to ‘Country Music Rocks.” Below this, elaborately-beaded forget-me-nots flank music notes that represent the song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” in C, which is the anthem of the Country Music Hall of Fame and is also inscribed on the interior of the museum’s Hall of Fame Rotunda.

On the wearer’s left side, strong roots at the base form into guitar strings, encouraging the remembrance of our musical heritage and culminating in the logo of the Circle Guard. The top of this logo forms a point, reminiscent of the WSM radio tower, whose 50,000-watt signal carries country music and its message far and wide.

The reverse side of the Ceremonial Stole presents a collection of colorful fabrics and ornate beadwork, referencing the beauty and humility of Dolly Parton’s quilted “Coat of Many Colors” and celebrating the diversity and glamour of modern-era country music artists. Each piece of fabric is a swatch from a garment that Sandi Spika Borchetta created for artists, ranging from Taylor Swift’s dress from the “Love Story” music video and Reba McEntire’s legendary red dress worn at the 1993 CMA Awards, to Trisha Yearwood’s wedding dress and performance wear worn by Randy Travis.

Throughout the month of October, the Ceremonial Stole is on display at the top of the museum’s Grand Staircase, just outside the Hall of Fame Rotunda. During the Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute, Circle Guard initiates remove the Ceremonial Stole from its case, and the Master of Ceremonies wears it while conducting the ritual in the Rotunda.

Sandi Spika Borchetta also created the ornately-beaded book from which the Master of Ceremonies reads biographies of every Hall of Fame Member, the black sashes worn by assisting Circle Guard initiates, and the swags which adorn the plaques of the Hall of Fame members whose biographies are read during the Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute.

The Rite of Remembrance and Salute

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, three new members of the Country Music Hall of Fame will be formally inducted, receiving country music’s highest honor during the Medallion Ceremony. For the two weeks leading up to their Medallion Ceremony, initiates of the Museum’s Circle Guard conduct the Road to the Hall of Fame: Rite of Remembrance and Salute. This daily ceremony, hosted in the Museum’s Hall of Fame Rotunda at 1:00 p.m., honors all of the Country Music Hall of Fame members who have come before this newest class. The Circle Guard shares each Hall of Fame member’s biography in the order of their induction, from 1961 through present day. For these events, the Circle Guard wears ceremonial garb designed by couturier Sandi Spika Borchetta, and the plaques of the Hall of Fame members being celebrated are illuminated and adorned for emphasis.