Bill Ivey, the former CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, has died.
He was 81.
The Country Music Hall of Fame announced his death, which it said occurred on Nov. 7, in a lengthy Facebook post.
Ivey served as the CEO for the Hall of Fame from 1971 through 1997.
“Ivey set a rigorous standard that ensured the Museum’s collections of artifacts, recordings, and library materials documenting country music would be unmatched,” the statement read. “Twice he presided over building expansions, and through his leadership the Museum was transformed form a modest tourist attraction into the premier center for the preservation and study of country music past and present.
“During his tenure, the Museum gained national accreditation, its budget increased fourfold, and its staff and programs grew accordingly,” the statement continued.
The statement also noted that in 1997 Ivey was selected by President Bill Clinton to be the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.
“After four years in that role, Ivey directed the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University and served on the faculty there from 2002 to 2012,” the statement continued. “In addition to those full-time posts, Ivey also served at various times as president of the Recording Academy, chair of the Recording Academy’s board of trustees, and president of the American Folklore Society. In 1989, he helped found the Leadership Music nonprofit networking forum and served for years as that organization’s discussion facilitator. He also wrote liner notes for many historical albums as well as scholarly articles, and he published three books in his later years on popular culture, politics, and public policy.
“he was a challenging thinker who helped cement the reputation of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as a significant and authoritative music history center. His impact on the Museum and the wider arts world is incalculable.”
