The Grand Ole Opry is widely considered as the most respected stage in country music. When artists receive their initial invitation to perform at this prestigious venue, and later become official members, it is often regarded as a significant milestone in their career.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for country music stars to have a less than perfect relationship with the Opry over the course of their careers. Throughout the years, there have been instances where performers were requested to leave the stage, either due to their failure to adhere to the venue's unwritten behavioral expectations or their inability to meet the official criteria for membership.
At a tribute show called Opry Goes Dolly, held at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium to celebrate Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024, there was a controversial incident involving performer Elle King. King appeared on stage visibly intoxicated, openly admitting to being heavily drunk. She engaged in mildly confrontational exchanges with the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Parton's song "Marry Me," which caused a stir and sparked outrage.
The location expressed regret to those who were upset by King's choice of words. However, numerous Opry fans on social media believed that King should be the one to apologize, and some even felt that her actions were severe enough to justify her being banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, there have been multiple cases where artists were banned from performing at the Opry. However, should King's actions be considered severe enough to justify such a drastic measure? If we examine a few instances from the early years of the venue, all occurring in 1973 or earlier, it becomes clear that it is indeed a possibility.
After a powerful performance in 1973, Johnny Cash was prohibited from performing at the Opry due to his destructive behavior on stage, which included smashing stage lights with a microphone stand. Alcohol played a significant role in this incident. Hank Williams, a well-known artist, also faced a ban from the Opry due to his consistent drunkenness and lack of reliability. Another artist, Jerry Lee Lewis, was removed from the Opry stage for various reasons, including the inappropriate use of explicit language during a live broadcast.
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 result in her being temporarily removed from the Opry stage, it will not have lasting consequences on her future ability to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
Continue reading to explore the individuals in the entertainment industry 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 Behind Their Exclusion)
Credit for Image Gallery: Carena Liptak
These 26 country stars will surprise you because they are not members of the Grand Ole Opry. The credit for the gallery goes to Billy Dukes.
Additional content from Taste of Country:
Details and updates
Connect with us