John Doyle, the executive director of the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, is leaving his post after more than 23 years.
In a statement released Sept. 4, Doyle confirmed
he would leave his dual roles on Sept. 25. Veteran Memphis arts/non-profit executive Cynthia Ham will serve as interim head while the Rock 'n' Soul/MMHOF board conducts a national search for a permanent successor to Doyle.
Doyle joined Rock ‘n’ Soul as its first executive director in September 2003, just as the organization relocated its Smithsonian Institution-developed exhibit from the former Gibson guitar factory to the then-newly opened FedExForum.
In 2008, Doyle helped the Rock 'n' Soul Museum's board create the Memphis Music Hall of Fame "to honor the legendary musicians who made Memphis world-famous." Induction ceremonies for the Hall of Fame began in 2012 and have seen 112 Memphis and Memphis-connected musical figures inducted so far.
The annual ceremonies have seen major stars — from Justin Timberlake to Neil Young, the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards to Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant — appear in support of Memphis music and musicians.
In June, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame announced it was bumping back the announcement of its next class of inductees, as the organization moves its annual ceremony from the fall to the spring starting in 2027.
In 2024, the Rock ‘n’ Soul announced its purchase of the former Lansky Brothers building at 126 Beale St. with plans to develop it as the future home of both the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Doyle helped raise $5 million to purchase the building and launched an ongoing capital campaign to transform the project into a major "shopping, education and entertainment center in the heart of downtown and the Entertainment District."
“Under John’s leadership, Rock ‘n’ Soul has been named ‘Best Memphis Museum’ and ‘Top 5 Music Museum in the U.S.,’" said J.W. Gibson, Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul board chair. “The Board and I thank him for his 23 years of dedication to this organization and its critical mission, and for helping to position Rock ‘n’ Soul to become a world-class music complex worthy of the world’s greatest musical city."
According to the Rock 'n' Soul, interim executive director Ham will "continue the progress toward the new home at 126 Beale Street" and "assist in identifying the next Executive Director." Ham is a former president and CEO of the Memphis in May International Festival, and has also served in executive roles with ArcherMalmo Advertising, the Beale Street Historic District and Mud Island.
Gibson added that the board looked forward "to working with Cynthia Ham... to accomplish our exciting goals for Rock ‘n’ Soul and for Memphis.”
Bob Mehr is the music writer at The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at bob.mehr@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: John Doyle leaving Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Memphis Music Hall of Fame
