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 careers. Additionally, becoming an official member of the Opry is a cherished achievement.
Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for country music stars to have a somewhat strained connection with the Opry over the course of their entire career. Throughout the years, numerous artists have been requested to step down from performing on the stage for various reasons. These reasons may include disregarding the venue's unwritten rules of behavior or not meeting the official requirements 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, performer Elle King caused controversy. King appeared on stage clearly intoxicated and openly admitted to being heavily drunk. She engaged in confrontational exchanges with members of the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Parton's song "Marry Me."
The location expressed regret to individuals who were upset by King's words, but numerous supporters of the Opry on social media believed that King should personally apologize and some even suggested that her actions were deserving of 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, is King's behavior truly deserving of such a drastic measure? To answer this question, we can examine some instances from the early years of the venue, specifically in 1973 or earlier, which indicate that it is indeed possible.
In 1973, Johnny Cash's performance at the Opry took a destructive turn when he used a microphone stand to smash stage lights. This incident, fueled by alcohol, led to his banning from the Opry. Hank Williams, another well-known artist, also faced the consequences of his excessive drinking and unreliable behavior, resulting in the termination of his membership. Jerry Lee Lewis, on the other hand, was removed from the Opry stage for multiple offenses, including using explicit language live on air.
However, it is important to note that there is only one instance where a singer was permanently banned from the Opry, and this decision was not made by the venue itself. Therefore, it is probable that even if King's actions merit a temporary suspension from performing on the Opry stage, it is unlikely to have a lasting impact on her future 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 discover the actions that led to their expulsion!
6 Celebrities Excluded from the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for Their Ostracism)
Image Credit: Carena Liptak
26 Country Artists Who Are Surprisingly Not Members of the Grand Ole Opry
Credit for Gallery: Billy Dukes
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