10 of Country Music's Biggest Stars Not in the Grand Ole Opry

During the Grand Ole Opry's 98 years of existence, the Opry has inducted over 200 members to its ranks.  The first member of the Opry was also the very first performer on the show, although it was called WSM Barn Dance back then, Uncle Jimmy Thompson.

The Barn Dance would be renamed to Grand Ole Opry on November 28, 1925 - what is effectively known now as the day the Grand Ole Opry was born.

Without further review it is easy to just believe that your favorite Country Music star is a part of the Opry.  While many are, the likes of Willie Nelson, Dollie Parton, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban just to name a few, there are some absolute superstars that surprisingly are not members.

Here is our list of top 10 most shocking Country Music stars not in the Grand Ole Opry.

1. George Strait

That's right, the King himself is not a member. Now, before you shake your head too much, Strait was offered membership but declined.  He likes to be in Texas and you have to make a commitment to perform a few times a year at the Opry house and it just wasn't something George was willing to do.

2. Miranda Lambert

In short, all that can be deciphered here is that Lambert doesn't play the Opry enough and hasn't really expressed an interest in becoming a member.

3. Chris Stapleton

Even though he played the Opry for the first time eleven years ago on September 24, 2013, Stapleton is not yet a member.

4. Cody Johnson

Maybe it's because he lives in Texas, but Johnson has played the Opry multiple times since his debut in 2017.  It seems as though the Entertainer of the Year nominee should be a part of the history, but as of today, he is not.

5. Dwight Yoakam

The only defining reason to be found here is that Yoakam does not perform at the Opry enough to be worthy of an invite.  Maybe he hasn't expressed an interest, but as one of the biggest performers of the 1990s, his name should be in the books.

6. Faith Hill

This one seems a little confusing.  Again, no one can really say why the performers are or are not members, but with the role Hill has played in Country Music, the Opry was almost assumed.  You know what they say about assuming though.

7. Hank Williams, Jr.

Maybe family history has something to do with this exclusion.  Hank Williams was a member and then had his membership revoked for alcohol abuse and not showing up for his performances at the Opry.  No public word has been said, but maybe that has influenced Hank Jr to not make becoming a member of the Opry a priority.

8. Jason Aldean

Here again it is safe to assume that Aldean just hasn't made enough appearances at the Opry to be deemed worthy of an invite.  He made his debut in May of 2005 but has yet to receive the honor.

9. Luke Bryan

This one is certainly baffling.  Bryan has been on the books and performed at the Opry every year since his debut on the stage.  It seems he supports the Opry but hasn't received the invite.

10. Tanya Tucker

As a personal note, anyone who performs horseback at the Opry should probably be a member.  She made that history in 2023 and despite all that she has done for and influenced Country Music, she took a hiatus from the Opry from 1982 to 1997, thus possibly explaining her absence of membership.