The Grand Ole Opry is widely considered to be the most prestigious stage in country music. It holds great significance for artists who receive an invitation to perform there for the first time, and even more so when they become official members. These moments are often seen as major milestones in their careers.
Nevertheless, not all country music stars have a consistently positive connection with the Opry throughout their entire professional journey. Throughout the years, several performers have been requested to step down from the stage due to various reasons. These reasons may include breaching the venue's unwritten standards of behavior or not meeting the official requirements for membership.
At the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, a tribute show named Opry Goes Dolly was organized to celebrate Dolly Parton's 78th birthday in 2024. However, one of the performers, Elle King, caused controversy during the show. She appeared on stage clearly intoxicated, openly admitting to being heavily intoxicated. She engaged in mildly confrontational conversations with the audience and even forgot the lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "Marry Me."
The place where the incident occurred expressed regret to those who were upset by King's choice of words. However, a significant number of Opry fans on social media believed that King should be the one to apologize and that her actions were severe enough to justify being banned from performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
Throughout the years, the Opry has banned multiple artists, but is King's behavior really deserving of such a drastic measure? If we examine some instances from the venue's early years, specifically from 1973 or earlier, it becomes clear that it is a possibility.
After an intense performance in 1973, Johnny Cash was forbidden from performing at the Opry as he had destroyed stage lights using a microphone stand. Alcohol played a significant role in this incident. Hank Williams, a well-known banned artist of the Opry, lost his membership due to his consistent drunkenness and lack of reliability. Jerry Lee Lewis, on the other hand, was removed from the Opry stage for various reasons, including his use of explicit language during a live broadcast.
However, it is important to note that there is only one instance of a singer being 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 result in her being temporarily removed 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 removal!
6 Celebrities Forbidden from Performing at the Grand Ole Opry (and the Reasons for Their Exclusion)
Photo Credit: Carena Liptak
26 Country Artists Who Are Surprisingly Not Members of the Grand Ole Opry
Credit for the Gallery: Billy Dukes
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