The Grand Ole Opry is widely regarded as the most respected stage in country music. For musicians, receiving an invitation to perform at this prestigious venue, and eventually becoming an official member, is often considered a highlight of their career.
Nevertheless, not all country music stars have a consistently positive affiliation with the Opry throughout their entire professional journey. Throughout the years, several artists have been requested to exit the stage for various reasons. This could be due to their infringement of the venue's unwritten rules of behavior or their inability to meet the official criteria for membership.
At Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, there was a tribute show called Opry Goes Dolly, honoring Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024. However, there was a controversial incident involving performer Elle King. She appeared on stage visibly intoxicated, openly admitting to being heavily intoxicated. Furthermore, she engaged in confrontational exchanges with the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "Marry Me." This behavior led to widespread outrage.
The place where the incident occurred expressed regret to the people who were offended by King's choice of words. However, numerous fans of the Opry took to social media and demanded that King herself should apologize, 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, there have been multiple occasions where artists have been banned from performing at the Opry. However, the question remains whether King's actions truly justify such a drastic measure. By examining a few instances that occurred in 1973 or before, it becomes evident that it is indeed a possibility.
Johnny Cash was prohibited from performing at the Opry following a memorable show in 1973. During this performance, he caused a commotion by smashing stage lights with a microphone stand. Alcohol played a significant role in this incident. Hank Williams, who is widely known as the Opry's most famous banned artist, lost his membership due to his consistent drunkenness and being unreliable. Additionally, Jerry Lee Lewis was removed from the Opry stage for various reasons, one of which included him uttering an explicit word live on air.
However, it is important to note that there is only one singer who has been permanently banned from the Opry, and this decision was not made by the venue itself. This suggests that even if King's actions warrant a temporary absence from the Opry stage, it is unlikely to have lasting consequences on her ability to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
Continue reading to discover the celebrities who have been forbidden from performing on the Opry stage, along with the actions that led to their expulsion!
6 Celebrities Excluded from the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for Their Exclusion)
Gallery Source: Carena Liptak
These 26 country stars will surprise you as they are not members of the Grand Ole Opry. Credit for the gallery goes to Billy Dukes.
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