The Grand Ole Opry is widely considered as the most esteemed stage in country music. It holds tremendous significance for artists who receive an invitation to perform there or become official members. These moments are often regarded as some of the highlights in their careers.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for country music stars to encounter difficulties in their relationship with the Opry over the course of their careers. Throughout the years, several performers have been requested to leave the stage due to various reasons. These reasons can range from breaching the venue's unwritten guidelines for behavior to not meeting the official requirements for membership.
At the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, there was a tribute show called Opry Goes Dolly to celebrate Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024. However, during the show, performer Elle King caused a lot of anger and upset when she appeared on stage clearly intoxicated. She openly admitted to being heavily intoxicated, engaged in confrontational exchanges with the audience, and even forgot the lyrics to Parton's song "Marry Me."
The venue expressed regret to the individuals who were upset by King's choice of words. However, several fans of the Opry expressed their belief on social media that King should be the one to apologize and that her actions justified her being banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, there have been numerous cases of artists being banned from performing at the Opry. However, the question remains whether King's actions truly justify such a drastic measure. To gain a better understanding, let's examine a few instances from the venue's early history, all occurring in 1973 or before. The conclusion drawn is that King's behavior could indeed be deemed deserving of a ban.
Johnny Cash was prohibited from performing at the Opry due to a memorable 1973 concert in which he destroyed stage lights using a microphone stand. Alcohol played a significant role in this incident. Hank Williams, a well-known artist, also had his Opry membership revoked due to his excessive drinking and lack of reliability. In addition to various other offenses, Jerry Lee Lewis was expelled from the Opry stage for uttering an offensive 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 result in a temporary suspension from performing on the Opry stage, it will not have a lasting impact 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 the actions that led to their expulsion.
6 Celebrities Denied Access to Perform at the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons Behind Their Exclusion)
Image Credit: Carena Liptak
26 Country Artists Who Are Surprisingly Not Members of the Grand Ole Opry
Credit for the Gallery: Billy Dukes
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