The Grand Ole Opry is considered to be the most prestigious stage in country music. When artists receive an invitation to perform at this revered venue for the first time, and eventually become official members, it is often seen as a significant milestone in their career.
Nevertheless, not all country music stars have a consistently positive association with the Opry throughout their entire professional journey. Throughout the years, numerous artists have been requested to exit the stage due to various reasons, such as breaching the venue's unwritten standards of behavior or not meeting the official requirements for membership.
At the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, there was a special event called Opry Goes Dolly, which was organized to honor Dolly Parton on her 78th birthday in 2024. However, one of the performers, Elle King, caused a lot of anger and controversy during the show. She appeared on stage clearly intoxicated, openly admitting that she was heavily drunk. She engaged in confrontational exchanges with the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "Marry Me."
The location expressed regret to those who were upset by King's choice of words. However, numerous supporters of the Opry on social media believed that King should be the one to apologize, and some even thought that her actions were deserving of being banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, the Opry has witnessed multiple cases of artists being banned. However, is King's conduct truly deserving of such a drastic measure? By examining a few instances from the early years of the venue, all occurring in 1973 or prior, it becomes evident that it is a possibility.
Johnny Cash was no longer allowed to perform at the Opry after a memorable concert in 1973. During the show, he destroyed stage lights using a microphone stand, and his excessive drinking played a significant role in that incident. Hank Williams, who is considered one of the most well-known artists banned from the Opry, lost his membership due to his frequent intoxication and lack of reliability. Jerry Lee Lewis was also removed from the Opry stage for various reasons, one of which included him swearing live on air.
However, it is important to note that there is only one case of a singer who was completely and 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 justify a temporary absence from the Opry stage, it is unlikely to have a lasting impact on her ability to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
Continue reading to explore the celebrities who have been prohibited from performing on the Opry stage due to their actions and conduct!
6 Celebrities Forbidden from Performing at the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for Their Exclusion)
Photo Credit: Carena Liptak
26 Country Artists Who Are Surprisingly Not Members of the Grand Ole Opry
Photo Credit: Billy Dukes
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