The Grand Ole Opry, which is considered the most esteemed stage in country music, holds a significant place in the hearts of artists. Being invited to perform at this prestigious venue and eventually earning official membership is often regarded as a monumental milestone in their careers.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for country music stars to have a somewhat strained relationship with the Opry at some point in their career. Throughout the years, several artists have been requested to step down from performing on the stage due to various reasons. These reasons could range from disregarding the venue's unwritten rules of behavior to not meeting the official criteria for membership.
At the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, there was a special event called Opry Goes Dolly, honoring Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024. However, during the show, one of the performers, Elle King, caused controversy by appearing on stage visibly intoxicated. She openly admitted to being heavily intoxicated and engaged in slightly confrontational exchanges with the audience. Additionally, she 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 fans of the Opry on social media believed that King should be the one to apologize and some even felt that her actions justified her being banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, there have been multiple occasions where artists have been banned from performing at the Opry. However, it is worth considering whether King's actions truly justify such a severe measure. When examining certain instances that occurred in the venue's early years, specifically those prior to 1973, it becomes evident that the answer is quite possibly yes.
The Opry decided to ban Johnny Cash after a memorable performance in 1973 where he destroyed stage lights using a microphone stand. Alcohol played a significant role in causing this incident. Hank Williams, who is widely known as one of the Opry's most famous banned artists, lost his membership due to his frequent drunkenness and unreliability. Jerry Lee Lewis, on the other hand, was removed from the Opry stage for various reasons, including using explicit language live on air.
However, it is important to note that there is only one instance of a singer being permanently banned from the Opry, and it was not the venue's decision to maintain the ban indefinitely. Therefore, it is probable that even if King's actions warrant a temporary suspension from performing on the Opry stage, it will not have lasting consequences 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 Excluded from the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for their Removal)
Image Source: Carena Liptak
26 Country Music Artists Who Are Surprisingly Not Members of the Grand Ole Opry
Credit for the gallery goes to Billy Dukes.
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