For most country singers, an invitation to become a member of The Grand Ole Opry is the pinnacle of success.
But the Opry has a list of rules to qualify for membership, and being a legend of country music is not always enough to snag an invitation.
Currently, the Grand Ole Opry has 76 members. Only living artists can be members, and once a member dies, they are no longer considered a current member of the Opry. While membership doesn’t come with dues, it does come with a commitment to perform on the Opry stage in Nashville regularly.
While country hits and radio airplay are factors in being considered for membership, you won’t believe the next seven legends who aren’t in that famous inner circle.
Country Great George Strait Is Not a Member of the Opry
George Strait is about as legendary as it gets in country music. And indeed, the superstar was invited to join. But he turned the invitation down.
In fact, Strait has only performed at the Grand Ole Opry one time, on Oct. 9, 1982. With the exception of his tribute to Loretta Lynn at her memorial service at the Opry House Sunday, October 30, 2022, he’s never been on the stage again.
While Strait has never explained why he turned down his Opry invitation, the 72-year-old has retired from touring and lives in Texas. So regular performances in Nashville would not be easy.
Willie Nelson Got Inducted, Then Gave it Back
91-year-old Willie Nelson isn’t a member of the Grand Ole Opry. But he was.
Nelson made his debut on the Opry stage on November 28th, 1964. The Boot reports that Nelson performed up to 26 times a year in addition to maintaining a grueling tour schedule.
But five years later, when his Nashville home burned to the ground, Willie took it as a sign it was time to move back to Texas.
In a 2018 interview with Texas Standard, Willie explained the problem. He said that it was just too hard to play Texas on a Friday and get back to Nashville on Saturday. So he was forced to give up his Opry membership.
Hank Williams Jr Says Opry Membership Isn’t a High Priority
The Grand Ole Opry may be a “family tradition” for Hank Williams, Jr.. But becoming a member has never been a high priority for Bocephus. Williams explained to Taste of Country that he loves playing the Grand Ole Opry And he respects the institution. But he didn’t grow up listening to the famous radio show. Instead, he grew up listening to blues and R&B.
His father, Hank Williams, had a complicated relationship with the Grand Ole Opry. The singer performed there regularly for four years before being fired for alcoholism in 1952. He died just six months later at the age of 29.
So despite being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2021, joining the Opry just isn’t that important to Hank Williams, Jr thank you very much.
Tanya Tucker Made Opry History, But It Didn’t Get Her An Invite
Tanya Tucker made Grand Ole Opry history in 2023 when she became the first person to perform on horseback. But while the “Delta Dawn” singer may’ve made the record books, she hasn’t gotten an invitation to become an Opry member. Despite making her Opry debut at the age of 13, Tucker has had big gaps between appearances on the Opry stage, including one that lasted 15 years from 1982 to 1997.
Dwight Yoakam Has a Place In Opry History, But Not a Membership
He’s credited on the Grand Ole Opry website for one of the Opry’s 12 best 90’s moments. Yoakam sent 50 dozen roses to Minnie Pearl when she celebrated her 50th anniversary with the Opry. But insiders say Dwight Yoakam just doesn’t perform at the Grand Ole Opry often enough to get that coveted invitation to join.
Lee Greenwood Has Earned His Stars & Stripes, but Not an Opry Invitation
You’d think having a song that is played during every 4th of July fireworks display in the country might earn you a spot in the Grand Ole Opry. But no such luck.
Lee Greenwood is unquestionably a country legend for “God Bless the USA” and other hits. But his name hasn’t found its way into the Grand Ole Opry rosters or the Country Music Hall of Fame.
And there’s no real explanation. Greenwood has performed at the Opry multiple times. He even married a former Miss Tennessee! Lee and Kimberly Greenwood just celebrated their 33rd anniversary on April 11.
Wynonna Judd Is Still Waiting for Her Invitation
It seems that Wynonna and late mother Naomi Judd didn’t perform at the Grand Ole Opry during the height of the Judds popularity in the late 80’s and 90’s.
But the mother-daughter duo did perform there starting in 2004. Wynonna has gone on to perform solo at the Opry many times, including hosting “Christmas at the Opry” in 2023.
The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame just one day after Naomi took her own life in 2022. But they never got invited to become Opry members.
Since only living performers can hold a membership, now Wynonna would have to receive a solo invitation to join.
Four Fast Facts About Grand Ole Opry Membership
According to the Grand Ole Opry, three to six new Grand Ole Opry members are inducted each year.
Uncle Jimmy Thompson was the first in 1925, but 250 singers have been inducted since. And you can see their names enshrined in the Opry Member Gallery.
Currently, 87-year-old Bill Anderson is the Opry’s oldest member. He was inducted in July 1961.
The youngest is former American Idol Lauren Alaina, who at age 27 became the youngest entertainer ever inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2022.