The Grand Ole Opry is considered to be the most respected stage in country music. For artists, receiving an invitation to perform at this iconic venue, and later becoming an official member, is a significant milestone in their career.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that not all country stars have a consistently positive relationship with the Opry throughout their entire career. Throughout the years, there have been instances where performers have been requested to leave the stage due to various reasons. These reasons could range from disregarding the unwritten behavioral guidelines of the venue to not meeting the official membership expectations.
At a tribute show called Opry Goes Dolly, held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to celebrate Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024, there was a controversial incident involving performer Elle King. She caused outrage by appearing on stage visibly intoxicated, openly stating that she was heavily intoxicated. She engaged in mildly confrontational exchanges with the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Parton's song "Marry Me."
The venue expressed regret for any offense caused by King's words. However, numerous fans of the Opry took to social media to demand that King herself should issue an apology, and some even believed that her actions were severe enough to warrant being banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, there have been multiple cases where artists have been banned from performing at the Opry. However, the question arises whether King's actions truly justify such a drastic measure. To determine this, it is worth examining a few instances from the venue's early days, all of which occurred in 1973 or earlier. These examples suggest that King's behavior could indeed warrant such consequences.
Following a highly energetic performance in 1973, Johnny Cash faced a ban from the Opry. During his show, he destroyed stage lights using a microphone stand, and alcohol played a significant role in this incident. Hank Williams, who remains one of the most renowned artists banned from the Opry, lost his membership due to his excessive drinking and lack of dependability. Jerry Lee Lewis, on the other hand, was removed from the Opry stage for multiple reasons, one of which was his explicit language, including the use of the F-word, during a live broadcast.
However, it is important to note that there is only one instance of a singer being permanently banned from the Opry, and this decision was not made by the venue itself. Therefore, it is probable that even if King's actions warrant a temporary suspension from performing on the Opry stage, it is unlikely to have a lasting impact on her ability to play at the Grand Ole Opry.
Continue reading to explore the celebrities who have been forbidden from performing on the Opry stage due to their inappropriate actions!
6 Celebrities Excluded from the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for Their Removal)
Image Credit: Carena Liptak
These 26 country stars are not members of the Grand Ole Opry, and it may surprise you. Credit for the gallery goes to Billy Dukes.
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