List of Grand Ole Opry members
Updated: 5/20/2026, 7:38:10 PM Wikipedia source
The Grand Ole Opry is a country music concert and radio show, held between twice and five times per week, in Nashville, Tennessee. The show began as a radio barn dance on November 28, 1925, by George D. Hay and has since become one of the genre's most enduring and revered stages. Each performance consists of multiple guest artists as well as Opry members, sometimes called "Opry stars". Members are selected by Opry management (with input from existing members) based on several factors including critical and commercial success, respect for the history of country music and commitment to appearing on the program. Opry members have permission to perform at any Opry show they wish. A typical Opry performance will feature seven to nine artists, including (but not limited to) at least three members.
Tables
· All-time membership › 1920s
Uncle Jimmy Thompson†
Uncle Jimmy Thompson†
No.
1
Name
Uncle Jimmy Thompson†
Induction date
November 28, 1925
Humphrey Bate†
Humphrey Bate†
No.
2
Name
Humphrey Bate†
Induction date
January 2, 1926
Henry Bandy†
Henry Bandy†
No.
3
Name
Henry Bandy†
Induction date
March 13, 1926
The McGee Brothers†
The McGee Brothers†
No.
4
Name
The McGee Brothers†
Induction date
1926
Mazy Todd†
Mazy Todd†
No.
5
Name
Mazy Todd†
Induction date
April 3, 1926
Uncle Dave Macon†
Uncle Dave Macon†
No.
6
Name
Uncle Dave Macon†
Induction date
April 17, 1926
The Pikard Family†
The Pikard Family†
No.
7
Name
The Pikard Family†
Induction date
May 8, 1926
DeFord Bailey†
DeFord Bailey†
No.
8
Name
DeFord Bailey†
Induction date
June 19, 1926
Notes
Forced to retire due to WSM's cancellation of its ASCAP license in 1941. He returned in 1974, appearing sporadically until his death. His son DeFord Bailey Jr. and grandson Carlos DeFord Bailey have also appeared on the show.
The Crook Brothers†
The Crook Brothers†
No.
9
Name
The Crook Brothers†
Induction date
July 24, 1926
Notes
Herman Crook, one of the Crook Brothers, was the last survivor of the 1920s era Opry members, maintaining his membership uninterrupted until his 1988 death—a record that would stand until Bill Anderson surpassed him in 2023.
Sid Harkreader†
Sid Harkreader†
No.
10
Name
Sid Harkreader†
Induction date
July 24, 1926
Binkley Brothers' Dixie Clodhoppers†
Binkley Brothers' Dixie Clodhoppers†
No.
11
Name
Binkley Brothers' Dixie Clodhoppers†
Induction date
October 30, 1926
Theron Hale and his Daughters†
Theron Hale and his Daughters†
No.
12
Name
Theron Hale and his Daughters†
Induction date
November 13, 1926
Arthur Smith†
Arthur Smith†
No.
13
Name
Arthur Smith†
Induction date
July 16, 1927
The Fruit Jar Drinkers†
The Fruit Jar Drinkers†
No.
14
Name
The Fruit Jar Drinkers†
Induction date
December 17, 1927
The Gully Jumpers†
The Gully Jumpers†
No.
15
Name
The Gully Jumpers†
Induction date
December 24, 1927
Kitty Cora Cline†
Kitty Cora Cline†
No.
16
Name
Kitty Cora Cline†
Induction date
March 24, 1928
Ed Poplin and his Barn Dance Orchestra†
Ed Poplin and his Barn Dance Orchestra†
No.
17
Name
Ed Poplin and his Barn Dance Orchestra†
Induction date
April 21, 1928
Uncle Joe Mangrum and Fred Schriver†
Uncle Joe Mangrum and Fred Schriver†
No.
18
Name
Uncle Joe Mangrum and Fred Schriver†
Induction date
July 30, 1928
| No. | Name | Induction date | Notes |
| 1 | Uncle Jimmy Thompson† | November 28, 1925 | |
| 2 | Humphrey Bate† | January 2, 1926 | |
| 3 | Henry Bandy† | March 13, 1926 | |
| 4 | The McGee Brothers† | 1926 | |
| 5 | Mazy Todd† | April 3, 1926 | |
| 6 | Uncle Dave Macon† | April 17, 1926 | |
| 7 | The Pikard Family† | May 8, 1926 | |
| 8 | DeFord Bailey† | June 19, 1926 | Forced to retire due to WSM's cancellation of its ASCAP license in 1941. He returned in 1974, appearing sporadically until his death. His son DeFord Bailey Jr. and grandson Carlos DeFord Bailey have also appeared on the show. |
| 9 | The Crook Brothers† | July 24, 1926 | Herman Crook, one of the Crook Brothers, was the last survivor of the 1920s era Opry members, maintaining his membership uninterrupted until his 1988 death—a record that would stand until Bill Anderson surpassed him in 2023. |
| 10 | Sid Harkreader† | July 24, 1926 | |
| 11 | Binkley Brothers' Dixie Clodhoppers† | October 30, 1926 | |
| 12 | Theron Hale and his Daughters† | November 13, 1926 | |
| 13 | Arthur Smith† | July 16, 1927 | |
| 14 | The Fruit Jar Drinkers† | December 17, 1927 | |
| 15 | The Gully Jumpers† | December 24, 1927 | |
| 16 | Kitty Cora Cline† | March 24, 1928 | |
| 17 | Ed Poplin and his Barn Dance Orchestra† | April 21, 1928 | |
| 18 | Uncle Joe Mangrum and Fred Schriver† | July 30, 1928 |
· All-time membership › 1930s
Ford Rush†
Ford Rush†
No.
19
Name
Ford Rush†
Hilltop Harmonizers†
Hilltop Harmonizers†
No.
20
Name
Hilltop Harmonizers†
Nap and Dee†
Nap and Dee†
No.
21
Name
Nap and Dee†
The Vagabonds†
The Vagabonds†
No.
22
Name
The Vagabonds†
Induction date
September 5, 1931
Asher and Little Jimmy Sizemore†
Asher and Little Jimmy Sizemore†
No.
23
Name
Asher and Little Jimmy Sizemore†
Induction date
September 24, 1932
Curly Fox†
Curly Fox†
No.
24
Name
Curly Fox†
Induction date
September 24, 1932
Zeke Clements†
Zeke Clements†
No.
25
Name
Zeke Clements†
Induction date
September 24, 1932
The Delmore Brothers†
The Delmore Brothers†
No.
26
Name
The Delmore Brothers†
Induction date
April 29, 1933
Robert Lunn†
Robert Lunn†
No.
27
Name
Robert Lunn†
Induction date
March 31, 1934
Lee White†
Lee White†
No.
28
Name
Lee White†
Induction date
April 21, 1934
Sarie and Sally†
Sarie and Sally†
No.
29
Name
Sarie and Sally†
Induction date
January 26, 1935
Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers†
Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers†
No.
30
Name
Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers†
Induction date
February 2, 1935
The Lakeland Sisters†
The Lakeland Sisters†
No.
31
Name
The Lakeland Sisters†
Induction date
January 23, 1937
Bob Wills†
Bob Wills†
No.
32
Name
Bob Wills†
Induction date
May 22, 1937
Pee Wee King†
Pee Wee King†
No.
33
Name
Pee Wee King†
Induction date
June 27, 1937
Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys†
Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys†
No.
34
Name
Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys†
Induction date
February 19, 1938
Notes
Left the Opry in 1946 and returned in the early 1960s. Bashful Brother Oswald represented the Smoky Mountain Boys after Acuff's 1992 death, and was given his own formal induction in 1995.
Cousin Jody†
Cousin Jody†
No.
35
Name
Cousin Jody†
Jamup and Honey†
Jamup and Honey†
No.
36
Name
Jamup and Honey†
Induction date
January 7, 1939
Bill Monroe†
Bill Monroe†
No.
37
Name
Bill Monroe†
Induction date
October 28, 1939
| No. | Name | Induction date | Notes |
| 19 | Ford Rush† | ||
| 20 | Hilltop Harmonizers† | ||
| 21 | Nap and Dee† | ||
| 22 | The Vagabonds† | September 5, 1931 | |
| 23 | Asher and Little Jimmy Sizemore† | September 24, 1932 | |
| 24 | Curly Fox† | September 24, 1932 | |
| 25 | Zeke Clements† | September 24, 1932 | |
| 26 | The Delmore Brothers† | April 29, 1933 | |
| 27 | Robert Lunn† | March 31, 1934 | |
| 28 | Lee White† | April 21, 1934 | |
| 29 | Sarie and Sally† | January 26, 1935 | |
| 30 | Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers† | February 2, 1935 | |
| 31 | The Lakeland Sisters† | January 23, 1937 | |
| 32 | Bob Wills† | May 22, 1937 | |
| 33 | Pee Wee King† | June 27, 1937 | |
| 34 | Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys† | February 19, 1938 | Left the Opry in 1946 and returned in the early 1960s. Bashful Brother Oswald represented the Smoky Mountain Boys after Acuff's 1992 death, and was given his own formal induction in 1995. |
| 35 | Cousin Jody† | ||
| 36 | Jamup and Honey† | January 7, 1939 | |
| 37 | Bill Monroe† | October 28, 1939 |
· All-time membership › 1940s
Danny Dill†
Danny Dill†
No.
38
Name
Danny Dill†
Johnnie and Jack†
Johnnie and Jack†
No.
39
Name
Johnnie and Jack†
Milton Estes and his Musical Millers†
Milton Estes and his Musical Millers†
No.
40
Name
Milton Estes and his Musical Millers†
Old Hickory Singers †
Old Hickory Singers †
No.
41
Name
Old Hickory Singers †
Minnie Pearl†
Minnie Pearl†
No.
42
Name
Minnie Pearl†
Induction date
November 30, 1940
The Duke of Paducah†
The Duke of Paducah†
No.
43
Name
The Duke of Paducah†
Induction date
1942
John Daniel Quartet†
John Daniel Quartet†
No.
44
Name
John Daniel Quartet†
Induction date
1942
Notes
Included among its members Wally Fowler, who was inducted with his own group in 1945 (see below).
Eddy Arnold†
Eddy Arnold†
No.
45
Name
Eddy Arnold†
Induction date
1943
Notes
Relinquished membership in 1948 when he launched his own radio show on CBS.
Cowboy Copas†
Cowboy Copas†
No.
46
Name
Cowboy Copas†
Induction date
1943
Ernest Tubb†
Ernest Tubb†
No.
47
Name
Ernest Tubb†
Induction date
February 13, 1943
Curley Williams†
Curley Williams†
No.
48
Name
Curley Williams†
Induction date
September 4, 1943
The Bailes Brothers†
The Bailes Brothers†
No.
49
Name
The Bailes Brothers†
Induction date
1944
The DeZurik Sisters†
The DeZurik Sisters†
No.
50
Name
The DeZurik Sisters†
Induction date
1944
The Poe Sisters†
The Poe Sisters†
No.
51
Name
The Poe Sisters†
Induction date
June 17, 1944
Rod Brasfield†
Rod Brasfield†
No.
52
Name
Rod Brasfield†
Induction date
July 15, 1944
David "Stringbean" Akeman†
David "Stringbean" Akeman†
No.
53
Name
David "Stringbean" Akeman†
Induction date
1945
Lew Childre Sr.†
Lew Childre Sr.†
No.
54
Name
Lew Childre Sr.†
Induction date
1945
Bradley Kincaid†
Bradley Kincaid†
No.
55
Name
Bradley Kincaid†
Induction date
1945
Wally Fowler and the Oak Ridge Quintet†
Wally Fowler and the Oak Ridge Quintet†
No.
56
Name
Wally Fowler and the Oak Ridge Quintet†
Induction date
January 27, 1945
Notes
Fowler was already a de facto member by way of his membership in the John Daniel Quartet. The Oak Ridge Quintet was a direct predecessor to the group now known as The Oak Ridge Boys. All of its personnel were replaced by the time Fowler sold the rights to the name to Smitty Gatlin in 1957. Gatlin left in 1966, replaced by current Oak Ridge Boys lea
Jimmy Wakely†
Jimmy Wakely†
No.
57
Name
Jimmy Wakely†
Induction date
September 29, 1945
The Willis Brothers†
The Willis Brothers†
No.
58
Name
The Willis Brothers†
Induction date
1946
Grandpa Jones†
Grandpa Jones†
No.
59
Name
Grandpa Jones†
Induction date
March 16, 1946
Red Foley†
Red Foley†
No.
60
Name
Red Foley†
Induction date
April 13, 1946
Lonzo and Oscar†
Lonzo and Oscar†
No.
61
Name
Lonzo and Oscar†
Induction date
1947
Paul Howard and the Arkansas Cotton Pickers†
Paul Howard and the Arkansas Cotton Pickers†
No.
62
Name
Paul Howard and the Arkansas Cotton Pickers†
Induction date
1947
George Morgan†
George Morgan†
No.
63
Name
George Morgan†
Induction date
September 25, 1948
Little Jimmy Dickens†
Little Jimmy Dickens†
No.
64
Name
Little Jimmy Dickens†
Induction date
November 6, 1948
Notes
Membership lapsed from 1957 to 1975
Jordanaires†
Jordanaires†
No.
65
Name
Jordanaires†
Induction date
1949
Notes
Membership lapsed prior to 1998. The group formally disbanded with the death of its last founding member in 2013, but reunited in 2023. One member from its period of flourishing, bass vocalist Ray Walker, survives.
Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys†
Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys†
No.
66
Name
Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys†
Induction date
June 11, 1949
Notes
Dismissed and membership revoked August 11, 1952, for habitual drunkenness and missing shows. The Cowboys eventually rejoined by becoming Ray Price's backing band, with Price eventually evolving the group into the Cherokee Cowboys.
| No. | Name | Induction date | Notes |
| 38 | Danny Dill† | ||
| 39 | Johnnie and Jack† | ||
| 40 | Milton Estes and his Musical Millers† | ||
| 41 | Old Hickory Singers † | ||
| 42 | Minnie Pearl† | November 30, 1940 | |
| 43 | The Duke of Paducah† | 1942 | |
| 44 | John Daniel Quartet† | 1942 | Included among its members Wally Fowler, who was inducted with his own group in 1945 (see below). |
| 45 | Eddy Arnold† | 1943 | Relinquished membership in 1948 when he launched his own radio show on CBS. |
| 46 | Cowboy Copas† | 1943 | |
| 47 | Ernest Tubb† | February 13, 1943 | |
| 48 | Curley Williams† | September 4, 1943 | |
| 49 | The Bailes Brothers† | 1944 | |
| 50 | The DeZurik Sisters† | 1944 | |
| 51 | The Poe Sisters† | June 17, 1944 | |
| 52 | Rod Brasfield† | July 15, 1944 | |
| 53 | David "Stringbean" Akeman† | 1945 | |
| 54 | Lew Childre Sr.† | 1945 | |
| 55 | Bradley Kincaid† | 1945 | |
| 56 | Wally Fowler and the Oak Ridge Quintet† | January 27, 1945 | Fowler was already a de facto member by way of his membership in the John Daniel Quartet. The Oak Ridge Quintet was a direct predecessor to the group now known as The Oak Ridge Boys. All of its personnel were replaced by the time Fowler sold the rights to the name to Smitty Gatlin in 1957. Gatlin left in 1966, replaced by current Oak Ridge Boys lea |
| 57 | Jimmy Wakely† | September 29, 1945 | |
| 58 | The Willis Brothers† | 1946 | |
| 59 | Grandpa Jones† | March 16, 1946 | |
| 60 | Red Foley† | April 13, 1946 | |
| 61 | Lonzo and Oscar† | 1947 | |
| 62 | Paul Howard and the Arkansas Cotton Pickers† | 1947 | |
| 63 | George Morgan† | September 25, 1948 | |
| 64 | Little Jimmy Dickens† | November 6, 1948 | Membership lapsed from 1957 to 1975 |
| 65 | Jordanaires† | 1949 | Membership lapsed prior to 1998. The group formally disbanded with the death of its last founding member in 2013, but reunited in 2023. One member from its period of flourishing, bass vocalist Ray Walker, survives. |
| 66 | Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys† | June 11, 1949 | Dismissed and membership revoked August 11, 1952, for habitual drunkenness and missing shows. The Cowboys eventually rejoined by becoming Ray Price's backing band, with Price eventually evolving the group into the Cherokee Cowboys. |
· All-time membership › 1950s
Chet Atkins†
Chet Atkins†
No.
67
Name
Chet Atkins†
Induction date
1950
Kitty Wells†
Kitty Wells†
No.
68
Name
Kitty Wells†
Induction date
1952
Hawkshaw Hawkins†
Hawkshaw Hawkins†
No.
69
Name
Hawkshaw Hawkins†
Induction date
June 1955
Goldie Hill†
Goldie Hill†
No.
70
Name
Goldie Hill†
Induction date
August 22, 1953
The Ladells†
The Ladells†
No.
71
Name
The Ladells†
Induction date
1955
Red Sovine†
Red Sovine†
No.
72
Name
Red Sovine†
Induction date
1955
Ray Price†
Ray Price†
No.
73
Name
Ray Price†
Induction date
1951
Hank Snow†
Hank Snow†
No.
74
Name
Hank Snow†
Induction date
January 7, 1950
Notes
Inducted by Ernest Tubb
Carl Smith†
Carl Smith†
No.
75
Name
Carl Smith†
Induction date
April 29, 1950
Notes
Relinquished membership in 1956 following his divorce from June Carter.
The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle†
The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle†
No.
76
Name
The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle†
Induction date
May 13, 1950
Notes
Billed as the Carter Family after 1960. June Carter Cash represented the family following the death of the other members; her children John and Carlene have made occasional appearances but did not maintain membership for the group.
Moon Mullican†
Moon Mullican†
No.
77
Name
Moon Mullican†
Induction date
1951
Lefty Frizzell†
Lefty Frizzell†
No.
78
Name
Lefty Frizzell†
Induction date
July 21, 1951
Martha Carson†
Martha Carson†
No.
79
Name
Martha Carson†
Induction date
April 26, 1952
Opry Square Dancers
(sui generis)
Opry Square Dancers
(sui generis)
No.
80
Name
Opry Square Dancers
(sui generis)
Induction date
July 5, 1952
Notes
Originally inducted as Ralph Sloan and his Tennessee Travelers. The Opry's square-dance troupe has gone through several incarnations through its history and is a regular fixture on shows. Ralph's younger brother Melvin Sloan ran the troupe from Ralph's death in 1980 until his 2002 retirement. It merged with the other square-dance troupe, Ben Smathe
Webb Pierce†
Webb Pierce†
No.
81
Name
Webb Pierce†
Induction date
September 13, 1952
Marty Robbins†
Marty Robbins†
No.
82
Name
Marty Robbins†
Induction date
January 19, 1953
Carl Butler†
Carl Butler†
No.
83
Name
Carl Butler†
Induction date
October 17, 1953
Del Wood†
Del Wood†
No.
84
Name
Del Wood†
Induction date
November 13, 1953
The Carlisles†
The Carlisles†
No.
85
Name
The Carlisles†
Induction date
November 14, 1953
Ferlin Husky†
Ferlin Husky†
No.
86
Name
Ferlin Husky†
Induction date
June 12, 1954
Faron Young†
Faron Young†
No.
87
Name
Faron Young†
Induction date
November 19, 1954
Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs†
Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs†
No.
88
Name
Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs†
Induction date
January 1, 1955
The Louvin Brothers†
The Louvin Brothers†
No.
89
Name
The Louvin Brothers†
Induction date
February 26, 1955
Notes
Ira Louvin left in 1963 (and died in 1965); Charlie Louvin represented the duo until his own death.
Justin Tubb†
Justin Tubb†
No.
90
Name
Justin Tubb†
Induction date
September 10, 1955
Jim Reeves†
Jim Reeves†
No.
91
Name
Jim Reeves†
Induction date
October 22, 1955
Slim Whitman†
Slim Whitman†
No.
92
Name
Slim Whitman†
Induction date
October 29, 1955
Jean Shepard†
Jean Shepard†
No.
93
Name
Jean Shepard†
Induction date
November 21, 1955
Johnny Cash†
Johnny Cash†
No.
94
Name
Johnny Cash†
Induction date
July 7, 1956
Notes
Expelled in 1965 for breaking the stage lights with his microphone stand during an Opry performance. Reconciled in 1968 and remained a member the rest of his life.
Jimmy C. Newman†
Jimmy C. Newman†
No.
95
Name
Jimmy C. Newman†
Induction date
August 4, 1956
George Jones†
George Jones†
No.
96
Name
George Jones†
Induction date
August 25, 1956
Rose Maddox†
Rose Maddox†
No.
97
Name
Rose Maddox†
Induction date
September 29, 1956
Stonewall Jackson†
Stonewall Jackson†
No.
98
Name
Stonewall Jackson†
Induction date
November 3, 1956
Notes
Filed age discrimination case in 2006 and membership was temporarily revoked. His case was settled and he returned from 2008 until his 2012 retirement due to vascular dementia; he remained a standing member until his death.
The Wilburn Brothers†
The Wilburn Brothers†
No.
99
Name
The Wilburn Brothers†
Induction date
November 10, 1956
Notes
Briefly members in 1940, the child stars could not legally work in Tennessee and had to wait until adulthood to officially rejoin.
Wilma Lee Cooper†
Wilma Lee Cooper†
No.
100
Name
Wilma Lee Cooper†
Induction date
January 12, 1957
Porter Wagoner†
Porter Wagoner†
No.
101
Name
Porter Wagoner†
Induction date
February 23, 1957
Rusty† & Doug
Rusty† & Doug
No.
102
Name
Rusty† & Doug
Induction date
May 18, 1957
Notes
Departed prior to the duo's breakup in 1963.
The Everly Brothers†
The Everly Brothers†
No.
103
Name
The Everly Brothers†
Induction date
1957
Notes
Disowned the Opry and dissolved their membership in 1960.
Margie Bowes†
Margie Bowes†
No.
104
Name
Margie Bowes†
Induction date
1958
Archie Campbell†
Archie Campbell†
No.
105
Name
Archie Campbell†
Induction date
1958
Don Gibson†
Don Gibson†
No.
106
Name
Don Gibson†
Induction date
May 20, 1958
Ben Smathers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers†
Ben Smathers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers†
No.
107
Name
Ben Smathers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers†
Induction date
September 13, 1958
Notes
Merged with the Melvin Sloan Dancers in 1990 (now the Opry Square Dancers - see No. 80, above).
Billy Grammer†
Billy Grammer†
No.
108
Name
Billy Grammer†
Induction date
February 27, 1959
Roy Drusky†
Roy Drusky†
No.
109
Name
Roy Drusky†
Induction date
June 13, 1959
Skeeter Davis†
Skeeter Davis†
No.
110
Name
Skeeter Davis†
Induction date
August 4, 1959
| No. | Name | Induction date | Notes |
| 67 | Chet Atkins† | 1950 | |
| 68 | Kitty Wells† | 1952 | |
| 69 | Hawkshaw Hawkins† | June 1955 | |
| 70 | Goldie Hill† | August 22, 1953 | |
| 71 | The Ladells† | 1955 | |
| 72 | Red Sovine† | 1955 | |
| 73 | Ray Price† | 1951 | |
| 74 | Hank Snow† | January 7, 1950 | Inducted by Ernest Tubb |
| 75 | Carl Smith† | April 29, 1950 | Relinquished membership in 1956 following his divorce from June Carter. |
| 76 | The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle† | May 13, 1950 | Billed as the Carter Family after 1960. June Carter Cash represented the family following the death of the other members; her children John and Carlene have made occasional appearances but did not maintain membership for the group. |
| 77 | Moon Mullican† | 1951 | |
| 78 | Lefty Frizzell† | July 21, 1951 | |
| 79 | Martha Carson† | April 26, 1952 | |
| 80 | Opry Square Dancers (sui generis) | July 5, 1952 | Originally inducted as Ralph Sloan and his Tennessee Travelers. The Opry's square-dance troupe has gone through several incarnations through its history and is a regular fixture on shows. Ralph's younger brother Melvin Sloan ran the troupe from Ralph's death in 1980 until his 2002 retirement. It merged with the other square-dance troupe, Ben Smathe |
| 81 | Webb Pierce† | September 13, 1952 | |
| 82 | Marty Robbins† | January 19, 1953 | |
| 83 | Carl Butler† | October 17, 1953 | |
| 84 | Del Wood† | November 13, 1953 | |
| 85 | The Carlisles† | November 14, 1953 | |
| 86 | Ferlin Husky† | June 12, 1954 | |
| 87 | Faron Young† | November 19, 1954 | |
| 88 | Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs† | January 1, 1955 | |
| 89 | The Louvin Brothers† | February 26, 1955 | Ira Louvin left in 1963 (and died in 1965); Charlie Louvin represented the duo until his own death. |
| 90 | Justin Tubb† | September 10, 1955 | |
| 91 | Jim Reeves† | October 22, 1955 | |
| 92 | Slim Whitman† | October 29, 1955 | |
| 93 | Jean Shepard† | November 21, 1955 | |
| 94 | Johnny Cash† | July 7, 1956 | Expelled in 1965 for breaking the stage lights with his microphone stand during an Opry performance. Reconciled in 1968 and remained a member the rest of his life. |
| 95 | Jimmy C. Newman† | August 4, 1956 | |
| 96 | George Jones† | August 25, 1956 | |
| 97 | Rose Maddox† | September 29, 1956 | |
| 98 | Stonewall Jackson† | November 3, 1956 | Filed age discrimination case in 2006 and membership was temporarily revoked. His case was settled and he returned from 2008 until his 2012 retirement due to vascular dementia; he remained a standing member until his death. |
| 99 | The Wilburn Brothers† | November 10, 1956 | Briefly members in 1940, the child stars could not legally work in Tennessee and had to wait until adulthood to officially rejoin. |
| 100 | Wilma Lee Cooper† | January 12, 1957 | |
| 101 | Porter Wagoner† | February 23, 1957 | |
| 102 | Rusty† & Doug | May 18, 1957 | Departed prior to the duo's breakup in 1963. |
| 103 | The Everly Brothers† | 1957 | Disowned the Opry and dissolved their membership in 1960. |
| 104 | Margie Bowes† | 1958 | |
| 105 | Archie Campbell† | 1958 | |
| 106 | Don Gibson† | May 20, 1958 | |
| 107 | Ben Smathers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers† | September 13, 1958 | Merged with the Melvin Sloan Dancers in 1990 (now the Opry Square Dancers - see No. 80, above). |
| 108 | Billy Grammer† | February 27, 1959 | |
| 109 | Roy Drusky† | June 13, 1959 | |
| 110 | Skeeter Davis† | August 4, 1959 |
· All-time membership › 1960s
Jimmy Driftwood†
Jimmy Driftwood†
No.
111
Name
Jimmy Driftwood†
Tompall and the Glaser Brothers†
Tompall and the Glaser Brothers†
No.
112
Name
Tompall and the Glaser Brothers†
Notes
Last performance was in 1990.
Bobby Lord†
Bobby Lord†
No.
113
Name
Bobby Lord†
Induction date
1960
Billy Walker†
Billy Walker†
No.
114
Name
Billy Walker†
Induction date
January 1, 1960
Patsy Cline†
Patsy Cline†
No.
115
Name
Patsy Cline†
Induction date
January 9, 1960
George Hamilton IV†
George Hamilton IV†
No.
116
Name
George Hamilton IV†
Induction date
February 6, 1960
Hank Locklin†
Hank Locklin†
No.
117
Name
Hank Locklin†
Induction date
November 12, 1960
Bill Anderson
Bill Anderson
No.
118
Name
Bill Anderson
Induction date
July 15, 1961
Notes
With 64 years of continuous service as of July 2025, Anderson is the longest-serving member in the Opry's history.
Loretta Lynn†
Loretta Lynn†
No.
119
Name
Loretta Lynn†
Induction date
September 25, 1962
Leroy Van Dyke
Leroy Van Dyke
No.
120
Name
Leroy Van Dyke
Induction date
October 20, 1962
Notes
Membership lapsed prior to 1998; still makes occasional appearances.
Sonny James†
Sonny James†
No.
121
Name
Sonny James†
Induction date
October 27, 1962
Marion Worth†
Marion Worth†
No.
122
Name
Marion Worth†
Induction date
1963
The Browns†
The Browns†
No.
123
Name
The Browns†
Induction date
August 17, 1963
Notes
Jim Ed Brown continued to hold Opry membership from the group's breakup in 1967 until his 2015 death.
Jim & Jesse†
Jim & Jesse†
No.
124
Name
Jim & Jesse†
Induction date
March 2, 1964
Notes
Represented by Jesse McReynolds from Jim's death in 2002 until his own death in 2023.
Ernie Ashworth†
Ernie Ashworth†
No.
125
Name
Ernie Ashworth†
Induction date
March 7, 1964
The Osborne Brothers†
The Osborne Brothers†
No.
126
Name
The Osborne Brothers†
Induction date
August 8, 1964
Notes
Represented by Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top X-Press from Sonny Osborne's retirement in 2005 until Bobby Osborne's death in 2023.
Dottie West†
Dottie West†
No.
127
Name
Dottie West†
Induction date
August 8, 1964
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
No.
128
Name
Willie Nelson
Induction date
November 28, 1964
Notes
Resigned his membership in 1972 after relocating to Texas.
Norma Jean
Norma Jean
No.
129
Name
Norma Jean
Induction date
January 9, 1965
Notes
Mostly retired from the music industry after 1973.
Tex Ritter†
Tex Ritter†
No.
130
Name
Tex Ritter†
Induction date
June 12, 1965
Connie Smith
Connie Smith
No.
131
Name
Connie Smith
Induction date
August 21, 1965
Bob Luman†
Bob Luman†
No.
132
Name
Bob Luman†
Induction date
September 18, 1965
Ray Pillow†
Ray Pillow†
No.
133
Name
Ray Pillow†
Induction date
April 30, 1966
Notes
Did not perform in the later years of his life, but remained a standing member until his 2023 death.
Del Reeves†
Del Reeves†
No.
134
Name
Del Reeves†
Induction date
October 14, 1966
The Four Guys‡
The Four Guys‡
No.
135
Name
The Four Guys‡
Induction date
April 22, 1967
Notes
Disbanded in 1999. An attempt to continue the group's membership with a new lineup was rejected by Opry management and the group was formally expelled in 2000. Sam Wellington, the lone surviving member of the quartet, last appeared on the Opry stage in 2023.
Stu Phillips†
Stu Phillips†
No.
136
Name
Stu Phillips†
Induction date
June 1, 1967
Notes
Last appeared on stage to sing with the chorus of members in the finale of the "Opry 100: A Live Celebration" NBC television special in 2025.
Charlie Walker†
Charlie Walker†
No.
137
Name
Charlie Walker†
Induction date
August 19, 1967
Jeannie Seely†
Jeannie Seely†
No.
138
Name
Jeannie Seely†
Induction date
September 16, 1967
Notes
Seely performed on more Opry episodes than any other performer, appearing 5,397 times from her May 28, 1966 debut until her final performance on February 22, 2025.
Jack Greene†
Jack Greene†
No.
139
Name
Jack Greene†
Induction date
December 27, 1967
Notes
Greene had already been a de facto member as part of Ernest Tubb's band since 1962.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
No.
140
Name
Dolly Parton
Induction date
January 4, 1969
Notes
Parton's appearances have generally been limited to pre-recorded messages due to a heavy touring schedule and health issues since the 2020s.
Tammy Wynette†
Tammy Wynette†
No.
141
Name
Tammy Wynette†
Induction date
January 4, 1969
| No. | Name | Induction date | Notes |
| 111 | Jimmy Driftwood† | ||
| 112 | Tompall and the Glaser Brothers† | Last performance was in 1990. | |
| 113 | Bobby Lord† | 1960 | |
| 114 | Billy Walker† | January 1, 1960 | |
| 115 | Patsy Cline† | January 9, 1960 | |
| 116 | George Hamilton IV† | February 6, 1960 | |
| 117 | Hank Locklin† | November 12, 1960 | |
| 118 | Bill Anderson | July 15, 1961 | With 64 years of continuous service as of July 2025, Anderson is the longest-serving member in the Opry's history. |
| 119 | Loretta Lynn† | September 25, 1962 | |
| 120 | Leroy Van Dyke | October 20, 1962 | Membership lapsed prior to 1998; still makes occasional appearances. |
| 121 | Sonny James† | October 27, 1962 | |
| 122 | Marion Worth† | 1963 | |
| 123 | The Browns† | August 17, 1963 | Jim Ed Brown continued to hold Opry membership from the group's breakup in 1967 until his 2015 death. |
| 124 | Jim & Jesse† | March 2, 1964 | Represented by Jesse McReynolds from Jim's death in 2002 until his own death in 2023. |
| 125 | Ernie Ashworth† | March 7, 1964 | |
| 126 | The Osborne Brothers† | August 8, 1964 | Represented by Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top X-Press from Sonny Osborne's retirement in 2005 until Bobby Osborne's death in 2023. |
| 127 | Dottie West† | August 8, 1964 | |
| 128 | Willie Nelson | November 28, 1964 | Resigned his membership in 1972 after relocating to Texas. |
| 129 | Norma Jean | January 9, 1965 | Mostly retired from the music industry after 1973. |
| 130 | Tex Ritter† | June 12, 1965 | |
| 131 | Connie Smith | August 21, 1965 | |
| 132 | Bob Luman† | September 18, 1965 | |
| 133 | Ray Pillow† | April 30, 1966 | Did not perform in the later years of his life, but remained a standing member until his 2023 death. |
| 134 | Del Reeves† | October 14, 1966 | |
| 135 | The Four Guys‡ | April 22, 1967 | Disbanded in 1999. An attempt to continue the group's membership with a new lineup was rejected by Opry management and the group was formally expelled in 2000. Sam Wellington, the lone surviving member of the quartet, last appeared on the Opry stage in 2023. |
| 136 | Stu Phillips† | June 1, 1967 | Last appeared on stage to sing with the chorus of members in the finale of the "Opry 100: A Live Celebration" NBC television special in 2025. |
| 137 | Charlie Walker† | August 19, 1967 | |
| 138 | Jeannie Seely† | September 16, 1967 | Seely performed on more Opry episodes than any other performer, appearing 5,397 times from her May 28, 1966 debut until her final performance on February 22, 2025. |
| 139 | Jack Greene† | December 27, 1967 | Greene had already been a de facto member as part of Ernest Tubb's band since 1962. |
| 140 | Dolly Parton | January 4, 1969 | Parton's appearances have generally been limited to pre-recorded messages due to a heavy touring schedule and health issues since the 2020s. |
| 141 | Tammy Wynette† | January 4, 1969 |
References
- "Grand Ole Opry » Country Music Hall of Fame"https://web.archive.org/web/20130924175135/http://countrymusichalloffame.org/grand-ole-opry/
- Billboard
- AllMusichttps://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-four-guys-mn0000068986
- The Guinness Who's Who of Country Music
- "Carlos Deford Bailey"https://www.opry.com/artists/carlos-deford-bailey
- Grand Ole Opry members list as of 1998.https://web.archive.org/web/19980119131629/http://www.country.com/music/opry/opry-member-f.html
- Holler Countryhttps://holler.country/news/general/grand-ole-opry-a-complete-list-of-members/
- The Boothttp://theboot.com/oak-ridge-boys-grand-ole-opry-induction-2/
- The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/03/27/gordon-stoker-leader-of-elvis-presleys-jordanaires-dies-bringing-legendary-group-to-end/
- consquencehttps://consequence.net/2023/05/dolly-parton-rockstar-tracklist-release/
- The Wilson Posthttps://www.wilsonpost.com/community/music-came-naturally-for-melvin-sloan/article_8a485cc6-002f-57e1-aabc-c06b79aa166f.html
- The Wilson Posthttps://www.wilsonpost.com/news/oliver-hangs-up-his-dancing-shoes/article_154be087-da67-5476-919b-f8f103c77636.html
- Dukes, Billy. Country's Most Shocking Moments – Johnny Cash Banned From the Grand Ole Opry. Taste of Country. Retrievedhttps://tasteofcountry.com/countrys-most-shocking-moments-johnny-cash-banned-from-grand-ole-opry/
- Kahn, Andy. Remembering Johnny Cash: Performing at the Grand Ole Opry. Jambase. Retrieved August 27, 2020.https://www.jambase.com/article/remembering-johnny-cash-performing-grand-ole-opry
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/stonewall-jackson-dead-1235005923/
- MusicRowhttps://musicrow.com/2023/07/bill-anderson-to-be-honored-as-longest-serving-grand-ole-opry-member/
- EIN Newswirehttps://www.koin.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/669311864/connie-smith-and-sam-wellington-to-be-inducted-into-ohio-country-music-hall-of-fame-at-grand-ole-opry/
- MusicRowhttps://musicrow.com/2022/08/jeannie-seely-makes-history-with-most-appearances-on-the-grand-ole-opry/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/music/country/dolly-parton-will-miss-grand-ole-opry-80th-birthday-show-1236152594/
- "Barbara Mandrell Says Goodbye - Today in Country Music History"http://klaw.com/barbara-mandrell-says-goodbye-today-in-country-music-history-video/