SOURCE Nashville names six women executives for 2026 Hall of Fame Awards in August ceremony
Inductees to be honored Aug. 25 at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
SOURCE Nashville has announced the six inductees for its 2026 Hall of Fame Awards, a program that recognizes women whose careers have helped shape Nashville’s music industry across labels, radio, publishing, labor organizations, artist services and community initiatives. The honorees will be recognized on Aug. 25, 2026, during a ceremony at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum inside Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium.
The 2026 class includes Debbie Cheek Carroll, Paige Conners, Cris Lacy, Margie McGahey, Sherry Oakley and Carla Wallace. Event organizers said ticket details are expected to be released in the coming weeks, and the ceremony is presented this year by Springer Mountain Farms.
How the Hall of Fame selection works
The SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards were created in 2003 to spotlight “Women Behind the Music.” Inductees are selected through a peer-driven process that weighs professional accomplishments, reputation, years of service in the industry and community involvement.
SOURCE itself dates to 1991, when it was founded to build professional connections and support for women working across Nashville’s music ecosystem. The organization’s programming has centered on networking, continuing education and community service.
The 2026 inductees and their career lanes
Debbie Cheek Carroll, a licensed clinical social worker whose work has included music-industry mental health and artist-support roles, along with work in higher education.
Paige Conners, whose career spans major-label work and production, with additional ties to the Nashville Musicians Association and AFM Local 257.
Cris Lacy, an executive recognized for work in Nashville’s record-label sector, including leadership at Warner Music Nashville.
Margie McGahey, whose résumé reflects longtime involvement in Nashville broadcasting and music institutions, including WSM Radio and the Grand Ole Opry, along with industry association experience.
Sherry Oakley, whose career has included leadership in music publishing, including work with BMI.
Carla Wallace, whose work includes artist development and independent-music operations through Big Yellow Dog.
Context: a continuing annual recognition
The 2026 class follows the 2025 Hall of Fame honorees Lori Badgett, Cheryl Harris, Gina Keltner, Pam Russell, Mary Self and Kay West. Organizers have positioned the annual induction as both a record of professional impact and a community milestone for a city where much of the industry’s infrastructure—from publishing and radio promotion to label operations and musician representation—works behind the scenes.
The SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards were established to recognize women whose influence is often felt more in the industry’s daily operations than in the spotlight.
The Aug. 25 ceremony is expected to include formal inductions and tributes marking the honorees’ careers, with additional program and ticketing information to be announced ahead of the event.