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, and eventually becoming an official member, is often seen as a significant milestone in their career.
Nevertheless, not all country music stars have a completely harmonious connection with the Opry throughout their entire career. Throughout the years, several performers have been requested to step down from the stage due to various reasons. These reasons could include breaking the venue's unwritten rules of behavior or not meeting the official requirements for membership.
At the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, a tribute show called Opry Goes Dolly was organized to celebrate Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024. However, one of the performers, Elle King, caused controversy during the event. She appeared on stage visibly intoxicated, openly admitting that she was extremely drunk. She engaged in confrontational interactions with the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "Marry Me." This behavior sparked outrage among the concert-goers.
The place where the event took place expressed regret to the individuals who were upset by King's choice of words. However, numerous fans of the Opry took to social media to demand that King herself issue an apology, and some even believed that her actions were severe enough to deserve a ban from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, the Opry has enforced bans on multiple artists, but is King's conduct truly deserving of such a drastic measure? If we examine a few instances from the venue's earlier years, specifically from 1973 or before, the clear answer is that it is indeed possible.
In 1973, Johnny Cash was prohibited from performing at the Opry due to his destructive behavior during a show. He used a microphone stand to smash stage lights, and alcohol played a significant role in this incident. Hank Williams, a well-known artist, also faced a ban from the Opry due to his excessive drinking and being unreliable. Another artist, Jerry Lee Lewis, was removed from the Opry stage for various offenses, including uttering an inappropriate word live on air.
However, it is important to note that there is only one singer who has been permanently and completely 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 any 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 Excluded from the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for Their Exclusion)
Contributor: Carena Liptak
Here are 26 country music stars who surprisingly are not members of the Grand Ole Opry. The credit for this gallery goes to Billy Dukes.
Additional content can be found on Taste of Country's website. For more updates,