The Grand Ole Opry is widely considered as the most respected stage in country music. For artists, receiving an invitation to perform at this prestigious venue is a significant milestone in their career. Furthermore, becoming an official member of the Opry is a highly cherished achievement.
Nevertheless, not all country stars have a completely positive and harmonious connection with the Opry for the entirety of their careers. Throughout the years, numerous artists have been requested to exit the stage due to various reasons. These reasons may include breaking the venue's unwritten rules of conduct or not meeting the official requirements for membership.
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 appeared on stage visibly intoxicated, openly admitting that she was heavily drunk. Furthermore, she engaged in confrontational exchanges with members of the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "Marry Me." This incident caused a lot of discontent among the attendees.
The place where the incident occurred 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 that her actions were serious enough to be banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, the Opry has witnessed various instances where artists were banned. However, is King's behavior truly deserving of such a drastic measure? By examining a few examples from the early days of the venue, specifically in 1973 or before, it becomes evident that it is indeed a possibility.
Johnny Cash was not allowed to perform at the Opry anymore after a memorable show in 1973, where he destroyed stage lights using a microphone stand. Alcohol played a significant role in this incident. Another well-known artist, Hank Williams, had his membership revoked at the Opry due to his habitual drunkenness and lack of reliability. Jerry Lee Lewis was also removed from the Opry stage for various reasons, including using inappropriate language during a live broadcast.
However, it is important to note that there is only one singer who has been permanently banned from the Opry, and this ban was not decided by the venue itself. Therefore, even if King's actions result in her taking a break from performing at the Opry, 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, along with the actions that led to their removal!
6 Celebrities Excluded from the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for Their Dismissal)
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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