The Real Reason George Strait and Willie Nelson Aren’t Opry Members

Watch Willie Nelson and George Strait Finally Perform a Duet

Country music fans want to know…

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 100th anniversary with a live special, and country music fans were treated to performances by some of the great artists of the genre, from Barbara Mandrell to Trisha Yearwood to Randy Travis. The event had fans wondering just who is a member of the Opry and how they get that honor.

But just as interesting is who is not on the list of Opry Members. It has 76 names on it, but some major country stars have not gotten the invitation—you won’t find names like Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, and Luke Bryan. But the omission of two country music icons has fans up in arms: George Strait and Willie Nelson.

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George Strait has been invited to join in the past but declined the invitation without explanation. According to Saving Country Music, he played the stage one time in his career: On October 9, 1982. Unlike George, Willie used to be an Opry mainstay. He made his debut in 1964 and performed up to 26 times a year after that, but it’s been a while since he’s visited.

Neither of the country music stars have spoken out about their Opry involvement. Both Willie and George live in Texas, and, while membership in the storied institution is subjective and up to the discretion of the show’s management, one requirement is an obligation to perform at the Nashville venue regularly. So it may simply be a matter of logistics: The Lone Star State residents don’t want to travel back and forth