Six artists have been banned from performing at the Grand Ole Opry, which is considered the most respected stage in country music. Receiving an invitation to perform at this prestigious venue, and later becoming an official member, is a significant milestone in an artist's career.
Despite being a country star, not all of them have a perfect and harmonious relationship with the Opry throughout their entire career. Throughout the years, there have been instances where multiple performers have been requested to leave the stage for various reasons. This could be due to their failure to adhere to the venue's unspoken behavioral code of conduct or not meeting the official requirements for membership.
At a tribute show called Opry Goes Dolly, held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to celebrate Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024, a performer named Elle King caused controversy. She appeared on stage visibly intoxicated and openly admitted to being heavily drunk. During her performance, she engaged in slightly confrontational exchanges with the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "Marry Me."
The location expressed their apologies to those who were upset by King's choice of words. However, numerous fans of the Opry expressed on social media that they believed King should be the one to apologize and that her actions were deserving of being banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, the Opry has banned multiple artists, raising the question of whether King's actions justify such a drastic measure. By examining a few instances from the venue's early history, all occurring in 1973 or prior, it becomes evident that it is indeed a possibility.
Johnny Cash was prohibited from performing at the Opry following a highly energetic performance in 1973, during which he used a microphone stand to smash stage lights. Alcohol played a significant role in causing this incident. Hank Williams, who is widely known as one of the Opry's most renowned banned artists, lost his membership due to his excessive drinking and lack of dependability. Similarly, Jerry Lee Lewis was removed from the Opry stage after committing various offenses, including the use of 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 to keep the ban in place indefinitely. Therefore, it is probable that even if King's actions warrant a temporary absence from the Opry stage, it is unlikely to have a 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 and the actions that led to their expulsion.
6 Celebrities Prohibited from Performing at the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for Their Exclusion)
Image Credit: Carena Liptak
26 Country Music Artists Who Are Surprisingly Not Members of the Grand Ole Opry
Image Credit: Billy Dukes
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