The Grand Ole Opry is widely considered as the most respected stage in country music. For artists, receiving an invitation to perform or becoming an official member of the Opry is a highly significant milestone in their career.
Nevertheless, not all country music stars have a consistently positive connection with the Opry throughout their entire profession. Throughout the years, numerous artists have been requested to depart from the stage for various reasons, such as disregarding the venue's unwritten rules of behavior or not meeting the official membership criteria.
At the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, there was a special tribute show called "Opry Goes Dolly" to celebrate Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024. However, one of the performers, Elle King, caused controversy when she appeared on stage visibly intoxicated. She openly admitted to being heavily intoxicated, engaged in confrontational conversations with the audience, and even forgot the lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "Marry Me."
The establishment expressed regret to those who were upset by King's choice of words. However, numerous supporters of the Opry argued on social media that King should be the one to apologize, and some even believed that her actions were severe enough to justify being banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, there have been multiple occasions where artists were prohibited from performing at the Opry. However, is King's conduct truly deserving of such a drastic measure? If we examine a few instances from the venue's early days, specifically those occurring in 1973 or earlier, the clear answer is that it is indeed possible.
Johnny Cash was prohibited from performing at the Opry after a memorable 1973 concert in which he destroyed stage lights using a microphone stand. The incident was greatly influenced by his consumption of alcohol. Hank Williams, known as one of the most renowned artists banned from the Opry, lost his membership due to his frequent intoxication and lack of dependability. Additionally, Jerry Lee Lewis was expelled from the Opry stage for various reasons, including the inappropriate use of profanity during a live broadcast.
However, it is important to note that there is only one instance of a singer being permanently and completely banned from the Opry, and this decision was not made by the venue itself to maintain the ban indefinitely. Therefore, it is probable that even if King's actions result in her being temporarily absent from performing on the Opry stage, it will not have lasting consequences on her ability to play at the Grand Ole Opry.
Continue reading to explore the celebrities who have been prohibited from performing on the Opry stage, and discover the specific actions or conduct that led to their removal!
The Grand Ole Opry has banned six stars from their venue, and here are the reasons behind their expulsion. The credit for the gallery goes to Carena Liptak.
Title: 26 Surprising Country Stars Not Yet Part of the Grand Ole Opry
Gallery Attribution: Billy Dukes
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