New Grand Ole Opry Chief Says Hank Williams Won’t Be Reinstated
The new vice president and executive producer of the Grand Ole Opry said this week in an interview that Hank Williams will not be reinstated to the institution he helped popularize. Dan Rogers was named to the Grand Ole Opry’s new top post of executive producer (formerly called “general manager”) on August 5th, 2019 after the departure of Sally Williams, who held the position since 2017. Sally Williams replaced Pete Fisher who held the position for 17 years before departing to helm the ACM Awards.
“Hank Williams will always be a treasured past member of the Grand Ole Opry,” Dan Rogers said when asked about the possibility of reinstating the country legend. “The Grand Ole Opry is made of living, breathing artists who can contribute to the show, and to whom the Opry can give back. We have a long list in the member gallery of folks who have been members of the Opry from Uncle Jimmy Thompson, who preceded what Opry membership even meant … So that wall honors everyone from Uncle Jimmy Thompson to Little Big Town to Hank Williams.”
Hank Williams III started the Reinstate Hank movement back in 2003 in an effort to get the Grand Ole Opry to recognize his grandfather who was kicked out for drunkeness and missing rehearsals in 1952. The thought was that if Hank could clean up his act, the Opry would welcome him back with open arms. But Hank Williams never got that opportunity. He passed away in the back of his Cadillac on New Years Day, 1953. The Reinstate Hank online petition now has over 61,000 signatures on it, with even more signatures in the physical Reinstate Hank book that Hank3 would take around with him on tour.
But while casting aside the idea of Reinstating Hank, Dan Rogers inadvertently mentioned the reason why the case for Hank’s reinstatement is warranted, if only ceremoniously.
“Had Hank Williams lived, there is little doubt in my mind that…I would hope he would have returned to the Opry and all would have been great and right in the world. Unfortunately, he didn’t,” Rogers said.
This is all that Hank Williams III and Reinstate Hank supporters have been saying for the last 17 years. There is no qualm with Opry members vacating their membership role when they die. It’s about how when he was living, Hank Williams meant more to the Opry arguably that anyone else in the institution’s history, and the Opry meant a lot to Hank Williams. “There is not a single Opry night that happens where his influence isn’t felt. And there are many, many, many Opry shows where his music is sung,” Dan Rogers says in the interview.
Ceremoniously Reinstating Hank would be a way to mend wounds, and incidentally, would make for a good piece of positive publicity for the Grand Ole Opry. As Dan Rogers says himself, it would make everything “right in the world” when it comes to Hank Williams and the Grand Ole Opry. It wouldn’t stimulate a flood of families of deceased members clamoring for their loved ones to be reinstated as well. It’s the fact that Hank was never reinstated in life that makes the case for Reinstating Hank today a viable one.
Saving Country Music reached out to the camp of Hank Williams III to see if he had any comments on the quotes of new Opry boss, but there was no response. However Hank3 did reduce the price of Reinstate Hank merchandise in his online store on Thursday (2-13) when the interview with Dan Rogers was released.
Many fans have been wondering what is happening with Hank3 who has been out of the spotlight and not touring or releasing records for a prolonged period. Saving Country Music has reached out numerous times to get an update from Hank3, but he has declined to comment.
READ: An Open Letter to Grand Ole Opry Manager Sally Williams
February 15, 2020 @ 11:48 am
Hank Williams still ain’t reinstated and I’ll tell ya that’s f***in’ bulls**t
February 15, 2020 @ 12:01 pm
And if King Jimmy Martin was still here, he’d tell em all to suck his dick.
I may not be as wild as I used to be, but those Hank 3 songs still hit the spot.
February 16, 2020 @ 9:47 am
Louisiana hay ride always respected Hank, shame that the opry won’t do the same
January 27, 2023 @ 3:15 am
The main reason that none of the other descendants of Hank Williams Sr have never been offered Grand Ole Opry membership is because of potential genetic alcohol and drug addiction. Roy Acuff, who helped Hank Williams Sr.get invited to the Grand Ole Opry cast, said that Hank Williams had ” a million dollar voice, but only a 10 cent brain”. The Opry management is concerned that the ” million dollar voice and 10 cent brain is genetic. Therefore, while Hank Sr’s children and grandchildren have been invited to appear as guest artists on the Opry, they will never be invited to become members of the Grand Ole Opry.
February 15, 2020 @ 3:45 pm
If they the opry wont reinstate Hank, then the opry need to quit making money off of Hank William name and songs. They make money off of Hank every since he played the opry.
February 16, 2020 @ 9:19 am
The Shit they Play in there Now He wouldn’t want to be Associated with Anyway!
A Outlaw, A Trail Blazing Legend, So Just Kiss Hank an The William’s Legacies. ASS
July 30, 2022 @ 8:59 pm
AMEN TO MR. GARY HARPER FOR HIS COMMENT OF FEBRUARY 16, 2020 @ 9:19 AM CONCERNING HANK WILLIAMS.
February 16, 2020 @ 1:29 pm
Real. People love Hank Sr.and Jr .to he’ll with the rest
February 16, 2020 @ 3:01 pm
I just found out about it and I agree with you. Who in the hell does this guy think he is? Need to get rid of him.
February 17, 2020 @ 2:01 am
Amen Brother!!! The influence alone would be a great reason…How many would have never been there unless they heard the Great Music & Lyrics of Luke the Drifter. I say they need to UNINSTATE that stupid SOB. That Moron dont get it!!! He is a real Joke!!!
February 15, 2020 @ 11:55 am
Could someone enlighten me on the obviously political nature of this. I want to know the rumors, the here say and the feuds behind this BS.
February 15, 2020 @ 11:59 am
It’s not like we’ve learned anything about substance abuse, mental health since 1952. It’s like if baseball were keeping Lou Gehrig or Hank Aaron out of Cooperstown instead of Pete Rose.
February 16, 2020 @ 11:54 am
Pete Rose is the Richard Nixon of the sports world in that, like Nixon, there were no doubt others who did things just as bad or worse. He just got caught.
February 16, 2020 @ 12:42 pm
Bingo. The difference is that, while Nixon won’t ever be fully rehabilitated to a place of honor – whether you think he deserves it or not, there’s no Presidential Hall of Fame – we know enough now to offer him his rightful place in Cooperstown, warts and all, considering the types of players we’ve already allowed in. Same goes for Ol’ Hank.
February 15, 2020 @ 12:06 pm
Bobby Bones AND Hank Williams is one too many.
The Opry prefers Bobby Bones.
Stupid.
February 15, 2020 @ 12:24 pm
I’ve come to realize over the years that the Opry is a joke. The fact that someone like Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini are inducted within a very short period of time and Gene Watson waits for decades to be asked to be a member says it all right there.
February 15, 2020 @ 10:34 pm
You mean Carrie Underwear?
February 16, 2020 @ 6:22 am
I had not thought of that name alteration, but I think you’re spot on. She seems to really love camera shots of her crotch.
February 17, 2020 @ 10:27 am
So do i
February 17, 2020 @ 3:30 am
How dare they????
If Hank can’t get back, then I guess, they’ll never consider honoring their invitation to Keith Whitley, although, he never knew…Keith passed before the announcement was made. Lorrie Morgan knew.
February 15, 2020 @ 2:09 pm
Hank Sr. not being a member of the Grand Ole Opry and Hank Jr. not being inducted in to the Country Music Hall of Fame reduces the legitimacy of both institutions to practically zero.
February 16, 2020 @ 7:21 pm
Really I personally prefer the older country stars and the songs they made than the majority of the newer artists. I use the term artist lightly. I loved how we could go to Buck Lake and see several artists in one place all out in the open. Conway, Loretta Lynn, Dolly, you know the rest. They were fun and crowd friendly. I love Reba and Big and Rich. Also others who have stayed with the country tradition. The new ones have not paid their dues yet.
February 15, 2020 @ 2:31 pm
The Opry has no sense of tradition . Hank was bigger then the Opry period ! The Opry needed Hank , Hank didn’t need the Opry .
To say that all the great artists aren’t members because they passed away is a slap in the face of all the country music legends who made the Opry what it is . And if they were alive to see what is considered country music today would break their hearts .
February 16, 2020 @ 11:56 am
How many of the late greats are members. Was Mel Street, for example, denied because he took his own life?
February 15, 2020 @ 2:38 pm
The place is a fucking joke, I’m doing a country music pilgrimage over there in a year or so from Australia and the Opry is one place I’ll leave off the trip.
Also in regards to Hank3… maybe he just wants to be left alone Trig…. just leave him be and when and if he feels like talking he may…
February 15, 2020 @ 2:42 pm
Definitely not be badgering him. Quite the contrary, though I have reached out a few times, including for this story since I feel like I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t at least send a request seeing if he wants to comment. Just wanted to let folks know I’m not just sitting on my hands here about trying to get info about what he’s doing, and any plans he might have for the future. I get emails/comments all the time of folks asking me for an update. There’s just nothing to report.
February 15, 2020 @ 2:39 pm
Hank Williams should not be “reinstated” to the Grand Ole Opry.
He was fired more than 65 years ago. That’s the history.
Everybody who worked at the Opry then or had anything to do with it is dead.
To attempt to change it now would be completely phony and invalid.
If I had to guess, I’ll say the Opry will “reinstate” Hank Williams–when they figure out a way to monetize it.
February 15, 2020 @ 2:43 pm
“If I had to guess, I’ll say the Opry will “reinstate” Hank Williams–when they figure out a way to monetize it.”
Got no problem with that. As long as they’re respectful to his legacy.
February 15, 2020 @ 3:20 pm
I guess the people who are commenting cannot read. Not only that they also don’t know how the Opry works. Once you die you lose your membership. Simple as that! No politics involved. It was not because of his drinking or for any other reason. The Opry won’t be reinstating the memberships of Little Jimmy Dickens, Jean Shepard, DeFord Bailey, the members of the Carter family, Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells, Minnie Pearl or anyone else who has passed away. A performer’s membership ends if they die while they are still a member.
A person has to be able to perform at the Opry to be a member. There used to be a requirement that performers had to perform a certain number of dates at the Opry to maintain being being a member, but they got rid of that requirement in the mid 90s.
February 15, 2020 @ 4:01 pm
…or maybe the people commenting read the part about what makes the case for Hank Williams unique is he died before the had the opportunity to be reinstated in life. Nobody’s saying that dead people should still be members. What they’re asking is a symbolic, but significant gesture to the Hank Williams legacy by giving him the reinstatement he didn’t receive while he was still alive.
February 15, 2020 @ 4:47 pm
That honor should also go to DeFord Bailey as well then. He was fired from the Opry as well. The sole reason for his firing was because of a conflict between BMI and ASCAP, something that wasn’t even if his control. After his firing he appeared only once more at the Opry before his death.
If they do it for one, they need to do it for all.
February 15, 2020 @ 4:53 pm
I wouldn’t have a problem with that. DeFord is probably #2 on the wronged by the Opry list, though they have made homages to him over the years to try to right that wrong in a way they haven’t done with Hank. My main point is you don’t have to re-induct Little Jimmy Dickens or Roy Acuff because they were never kicked out.
February 15, 2020 @ 8:33 pm
I listen to this daily on XM to me Hank Williams is just a name, like Hershey’s is in the candy business. I do not know how the OPRY works, I do feel the OPRY should maintain it’s HISTORY! BECAUSE the OPRY is HISTORY of Country Music! If you change name it something else!
February 15, 2020 @ 4:00 pm
People obviously are not reading the article. Not only that, people must not know how the Opry works. Opry members who have passed away cannot be reinstated. Once a member passes away, they lose their membership, and cannot be reinstated. This has been a Grand Ole Opry rule from the beginning. That means Opry members, who have passed, such as DeFord Bailey, Minnie Pearl, Jean Shepard, the members of the Carter family, Little Jimmy Dickens, Roy Acuff, (the list goes on and on) will never be reinstated. Even if Hank Sr. had been rehired before he passed away he would have lost his membership the day he died.
There even used to be a rule, up until the mid 90s, where Opry members had to perform a certain number of weekends to maintain their Opry membership.
It has nothing to do with politics, or Hank Williams’ drinking.
February 16, 2020 @ 3:56 pm
I totally understand. I also agree with the person who said that Hank Williams wouldn’t want to associate with the CRAP they’re calling country music….bunch of queers!!!
February 15, 2020 @ 4:19 pm
I’ve gotta say that most of this controversy is lost on me. Opry members are living. How do you reinstate a dead person, and for what purpose?
I don’t hear anyone, from the Opry or otherwise, arguing against the importance of Hank’s music. I also don’t really hear anyone making the case that the staff of the 1952 Opry was wrong to fire him for drunkenness. The fact that he died early, before he was able to turn his health around or make more music is a tragic part of his legacy. Is “reinstating” him going to change that?
February 16, 2020 @ 12:36 am
There is no controversy.
February 16, 2020 @ 3:20 pm
You’re a sick man!!
February 16, 2020 @ 11:16 am
What about “No Show George” did he get kicked out before he died for drunkenness and no show”
February 15, 2020 @ 4:23 pm
Hank needs to be reinstated, and while we’re at it, Pete Rose should be in the Baseball HOF….
February 15, 2020 @ 5:14 pm
Amen.
He, Johnny Bench, Jose Concepcion, on and on … Bernie Carbo …
February 15, 2020 @ 10:05 pm
Johnny Bench?
He’s been in the H-o-F for 30 years!
And Concepcion was a pretty good ballplayer, but you don’t even remember that his name was Dave.
February 16, 2020 @ 6:10 am
You are right.
It was Dave Concepcion. Thank you for correcting that.
And was just throwing some Red’s names out there.
February 16, 2020 @ 7:15 am
Make them lifetime members. I live hank Williams as much today as I did in 1952. I dare many if those now dead. Carter family. Little jimmy Dickens. Roy Acuff. Jimmy martin etc
February 15, 2020 @ 4:25 pm
The Grand Old Opry would not exists if not for Hank Williams. He is the father of country music in America. He made country music what it was meant to be. Today’s so called country music is bullshit. Mo Pitney sings the old country but has he been in the Grand Old Opry? Let’s get rid of the so called new country n bring back the real country music.
February 15, 2020 @ 5:32 pm
Hank Williams is the “father of country music in America”??
The only person who I’ve ever heard referred to with that title is Jimmie Rodgers. If Hank is the father, then what does that make Jimmie? Or Roy Acuff, for that matter.
February 15, 2020 @ 6:25 pm
Here was my stab at a disambiguation of country music’s “family” and “royalty” markers from a few years ago.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/country-musics-royal-court-and-founding-family/
February 17, 2020 @ 9:52 am
Good article.
February 16, 2020 @ 8:28 am
This crap they call country music ain’t nothing but junk I won’t even listen to it. Where I live there a radio station AM1140 they play the old classic country, And it really does feel good to hear real country songs one after the other GOD BLESS AM1140 radio London Tennessee..
February 15, 2020 @ 4:47 pm
Thank you for this information. I just firmed the online petition.
February 15, 2020 @ 5:40 pm
I’ve been hearing about Hank William’s being let go in August 1952 all my life..fir reportedly not attending all the performaces… As a matter of fact of record..it being broadcast about him drinking…bs Hank William’s was with his mother and family in Greenville, Alabama that same weekend at a famed Hank William’s Homecoming Parade held in his honor…many photographs and he doesn’t appear intoxicated in any form…they were just mad with him because he had gotten bigger than the Opry…appearing on NBC tv at least 4 times earlier that same year…..and was clearly becoming a national star instead of just an Opry performer…..
February 15, 2020 @ 6:34 pm
I don’t really understand this controversy anymore. In the past, I’ve had the same “righteous anger” over it that many feel, that Hank was wronged and needs to be reinstated; I might have even signed the petition a few years ago, I can’t remember. But reading this now, it honestly doesn’t make any sense.
I think there’s a couple issues involved. First, whether the Opry was within its rights when it fired him, and second, whether he was eligible for reinstatement prior to his death, and was therefore wronged in the absence of that reinstatement.
Was the Opry acting within its rights when it fired him on August 11, 1952, two days after his missed (another) show? I think they were. The Opry has a list of requirements and responsibilities for membership, and if one does not meet them, one should not be a member. There are those that have made incredible contributions to the art form that are not members, including George Strait and Willie Nelson, who (at least as I heard it) have chosen not to be members because they did not feel they could keep the requirements of membership. Opry membership is not a mere award for substantial contribution to the art form. Back in January 2014, SCM published an article on how many contemporary artists do not even come close to meeting the minimum requirement of 10 shows per year, and the last sentence states that “…the rules governing membership must be maintained both by members, and the institution.” The attitude is also echoed by several commenters. (https://savingcountrymusic.com/grand-ole-oprys-newest-members-not-paying-their-dues/) In order for the Opry to have wronged Hank, they must have been wrong to eject him. I have not seen anyone, here or anywhere else, make the case that the Opry acted wrongly in their initial removal of him from the Opry roster.
Second, If the Opry was not wrong to eject him, the only option for wrongdoing would be in not reinstating him prior to his death. The issue here is whether he cleaned up his act enough in the five months between his ejection and his death to be eligible for membership (from a membership responsibilities perspective). Honestly, I don’t know the history enough to comment, but I will say again that I have never heard that case be made (Trigger, enlighten us please?). Given that the burden of proof falls on those making the claim, those claiming he should be re-inducted must establish this point before their case has merit worth considering.
Unless the Opry was wrong in either its initial removal of Hank from the roster, or wrong in not reinstating him, no wrong was done. It is not the fault of the Opry that he died far too soon. No one has said that those at the Opry at the time kicked him out maliciously, and I am confidant that everyone would have greatly preferred him to clean up his act and continue making music for another 50 or 60 years.
Another point worth considering is the past 67 years of history. It’s part of the country music historical canon, including in song (see Hank Jr. and Waylon’s “The Conversation”). It’s part of history and I don’t see a compelling reason to change that.
To those claiming his contribution to the art form warrants an exception to the rule that all members be living, was the contribution of other artists (Jimmie Rogers, Woody Guthrie, Bob Wills, Bill Monroe et al.) really so much less than that of Hank that he warrants reinstatement and they don’t? I don’t see the evidence for that claim. Opry membership is not and should not be merely an award for a significant contribution to country music.
If my knowledge of country music history is lacking, I look forward to being enlightened and am open to changing my mind, but at present I just don’t think that the case for reinstating Hank is compelling.
February 15, 2020 @ 8:53 pm
Look, this issue has a lot of nuance to it. Hank III was playing a show celebrating his grandfather’s birthday on the Opry one time, and knowing the history of Hank and the Opry, and knowing how much Hank’s removal hurt his grandfather, he approached the Opry GM at the time, Pete Fisher, and asked if they could do a symbolic ceremony reinstating him. According to Hank III, Fisher gave him “a bunch of attitude” and said he would never reinstate a dead guy. Hank III took offense, and Reinstate Hank was launched. Subsequently, it became a game of brinksmanship, but it’s some over 60,000 people have said they want to see happen, and I’m not sure what the downside would be to honoring that request. By strict rule, was Hank Williams done wrong? To some, probably not. But Hank Williams himself felt different. As does his family. Both Hank Jr. and Holly Williams support the movement as well. Reinstating Hank would be an important symbolic gesture, and I personally believe it’s something that should be done.
February 16, 2020 @ 7:44 am
The issue would be something like a token membership or in some other form. They have zero issue with making money off him or his image. Go outside the Ryman before an Opry show. There’s a guy they have playing in his standard white suit and playing his music before you enter the show.
February 15, 2020 @ 7:34 pm
“Had Hank Williams lived, there is little doubt in my mind that…I would hope he would have returned to the Opry and all would have been great and right in the world. Unfortunately, he didn’t,” Rogers said.
I have no problem with this comment. If we bestow awards and accolades on what someone “could have, would have, should have”, the list would be long indeed. Including the hall of fame.
The saddest fact of the Williams legacy is Hank Jr. not begin in the hall of fame. It is not Hank Sr. not being reinstated.
February 15, 2020 @ 9:22 pm
Many people think that Hank Williams was the only member fired from the Opry. This is simply not true. Different members over the years have been let go. DeFord Bailey (already mentioned) among them. In December 1964 twelve members were let go for not meeting the Opry’s required attendance. They were, Faron Young, Kitty Wells, Johnnie Wright, Ferlin Husky, Stonewall Jackson (later rejoined), Chet Atkins, The Jordanaires, Justin Tubb (later rejoined), George Morgan (later rejoined), Billy Grammer (later rejoined), Don Gibson (later rejoined) and Ray Price. Of those twelve, eight of the acts are now Hall of Famers. In 1956 The Maddox Brothers & Rose became members and their stay was real short. Three months if memory serves. Apparently Rose wore a outfit on the stage that showed her bellybutton. While It would not raise an eyebrow today, in 1956 it ruffled the feathers of many of the other members (with “The King” being chief among them). Long story short they were fired. And in more recent years the longtime Opry group The 4 Guys were let go, and even the lovely and talented Holly Dunn. So Hank was not alone. DeFord Bailey made several returned appearances, so did Ferlin Husky, Ray Price and “The Queen” Kitty Wells. None of them were offered membership back. I personally stand by the decision of Opry management.
February 16, 2020 @ 10:30 am
No doubt there are numerous individuals who have legitimate beefs with the Grand Ole Opry, and over the years, the Reinstate Hank campaign has been sort of a rallying cry for all of them.
I wrote extensively about Holly Dunn’s issues back in 2016:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/holly-dunn-wasnt-happy-about-her-total-expunging-from-the-grand-ole-opry-rip/
Also wrote a roundup of other Opry offenses way back in 2008:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/pissin%e2%80%99-off-the-opry/
No doubt the line forms to the left when it comes to performers with legitimate Opry beefs. But they all for a line behind Hank Williams. Because he’s Hank Williams.
February 15, 2020 @ 9:34 pm
I think it’s about time the Opry invites Tanya Tucker to join them. She was invited earlier in her career but due to touring responsibilities could not accept. I believe she would be more receptive of the invitation today.
February 16, 2020 @ 1:52 am
If not reinstated, at least a Ward of Honor for all the Artists who paved the way Hank Williams included.
Why is that so hard for an institure that somehow must keep the history of country music alive and to learn the next generations from the USA and worldwide about how it all started.
February 16, 2020 @ 4:13 am
The success of country music comes off the shoulders of Hank Williams Senior, if the Grand Ole Oprah wants to shun this fact then they are shunning Country music fans from everywhere. All of the current entertainers are dwarfs among this giant. The man that provided the road for people like the manager of the Oprah want be accepted there?
I won’t be returning, I choose to be on the same “lonesome highway” as the true king, Hank Williams o
February 16, 2020 @ 8:22 am
I am on board to bring back country music.I hate the new country,the way they dress is really bad ,where is the respect . PLEASE BRING BACK OLD COUNTRY AND THE CLASSIC WAY OF DRESSING.
February 16, 2020 @ 8:29 am
I live Hank Williams, I have all his music. I also hate all the new country music and the dress like they are trying to show off their bodies instead of having pride and decency about their selves,trying to see who can wear the least and get away with it .This is not true country mucic .IT IS DIEING OUT THIS IS MUDER.
February 16, 2020 @ 8:37 am
Whoever hired him should have him fired. It would be so wrong if they were still getting money from him they should think again about taking the money that isn’t rightfully theirs. This is sickening.
I would have that guy kicked out and hired someone else to do the job that really cares about country music stars. He does think he owns the place, KICK HIM TO HECK OUT AND HIRE SOMEONE THAT REALLY CARE ABOUT THE COUNTRY SINGER AND RESPECTED THEM.
February 16, 2020 @ 11:52 am
Dan Rogers cares more about the traditions of country music than anyone I’ve ever met. Hank Williams Sr. is DEAD. There are no DEAD members of the Grand Ole Opry. Nor are they making money off of him.
February 16, 2020 @ 7:43 pm
Still, they should put Hank William back into where he belongs, if it weren’t for him you would have the Grand-Ole Opry. Hank William might have been a lot of things one thing he was really good at was the songs he wrote and sang them. You could be that mean not to put him back where he belongs is In the Grand Ole Opry. How long do you hold anger at some? He has been gone a long time,Doesn’t that count for anything.
February 16, 2020 @ 8:42 am
If you can sit there and read all these comments and still refuse to reinstate Hank then you’re in the wrong job it’s not about you dumb ass it’s the fans get out if the way and let someone who represents the fans in because it’s not up to you! one day Someone with minimal intelligence will step up and say oh yea the greatest country music Star of all time maybe he should be in the hall of fame I’m not a very smart man but mamma said stupid is as stupid does
February 16, 2020 @ 9:10 am
The whole Hank Williams controversy has always disturbed me about the industry that I owe much of my livelihood to… Being a musician with a number of artists from the Opry and performing on the stage a number of times. In my opinion for what it is worth, I believe that once an artist passes, their membership should be transferred to a ” Legacy” Opry status… Never not being a member, just no longer active/performing status. Then the wrongs to the certain members like Hank could be set straight for perpetuity. BTW.. if you prefer traditional country music…get rid of the CMA and ACM… Since the mid 80”s the mission statement has been to cross country into all genres…guess they got their wish!
February 17, 2020 @ 6:45 pm
Gary,
Well said.
February 16, 2020 @ 10:49 am
Be honest there isn’t anyone worth listening to any more. Once the 50’s and 60’s are gone there is no one left to listen to. All these singer’s we have now that claim to be country and Western singer’s are not singer’s at all.
February 16, 2020 @ 12:04 pm
Country music not the same. No melodies to hum, no stories told… just noise!! At our house it’s Eddy Arnold has left the building “
February 16, 2020 @ 12:43 pm
With the grandpas opera rules and short on entertainment I cease to have anything to do with them
February 16, 2020 @ 12:49 pm
Hank will always be the KING OF COUNTRY MUSIC. HE IS THE GRAND OLD OPREA.
February 16, 2020 @ 12:59 pm
Well you without sin cast the first stone if Hank was the only one who missed a show because he had drunk to i would say a whole lot more names would added Hank was one of the greatest he just could not control his drinking problem if we knew then what we know now maybe he could have been helped! New country should be called pop country the women want to show as much of there bodies as possible we us to look up the women of country not any more country music has went the way of good rock and roll just not worth listening too any more.
February 16, 2020 @ 1:21 pm
I’m a Hank fan, and I’m a Grand Ole Opry fan, but this “reinstate Hank” mess is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen in my life. The man made Opry history as a member, got fired, and is now DECEASED. That is all a part of the show’s history and it can’t be changed. What is there left to do with history that is there no matter what? What does “reinstate Hank” do? Make us feel good about ourselves?
This is like saying “reinstate David Ruffin” back into the Temptations. The man got fired, later died, and no matter what is said or done, is still a past member.
I honestly think that if Hank himself could send a message to us from the grave it would be “What…are…y’all…doing?”
February 16, 2020 @ 4:06 pm
This is my opinion too. I’ve read multiple Hank Williams bios and his life was an absolute train wreck at the time of his firing. His marriage was imploding and his best friends had to step away because of his self-destructive behavior. (Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary alluded to some of this as well.) No one believes more than I the importance of Hank Williams to country music. I also believe his firing was justified based on every account I’ve ever read.
Opry membership is reserved for living artists. It’s not like the CMHOF where an induction is forever. It’s a radio show that plays live music. Members must be alive to play. That’s why when artists pass away, they are removed from the membership. Little Jimmy Dickens was an Opry institution. But he is not a member any longer. Does that take away from his importance to the Opry? I don’t believe so. That’s how the Opry works. It “lives” on-air three to four nights a week. Hank Williams impact to the Opry is forever- whether or not he was a member at the time of his death. No one denies that.
Any movement for “reinstatement” – at least in my eyes – would be at best, a clumsy grab at PR only with no real purpose. It would also open them up for lots of criticism from every member from the past that wasn’t granted that same honor.
February 16, 2020 @ 2:19 pm
Was Johnny Cash reinstated after smashing lights on stage ?
February 16, 2020 @ 2:32 pm
Sorry ,but I,ve never sent anything to you before,
February 16, 2020 @ 3:06 pm
Screw the Opery
February 16, 2020 @ 3:09 pm
Hank was, is and always will be t he best….we know that and whatever the Opry thinks is meaningless.
February 16, 2020 @ 3:30 pm
I dont get why they dont just make him an honorary member? If he is not valuable to them, why do they play his songs, sell his merchandise, and have people impersonating him at the opry? The president of the opry complains that other families will want reinstatement for their dead family members, and complains about this, but has no issue with having pop country and country rap on the opry when it is not even remotely close to the talent or music of Hank?
February 16, 2020 @ 4:18 pm
Bastards like this jerk are what is wrong with country music today. The music is absolutely horrible that comes out of there today. To hell with him and all the hippocrits he is surrounded with.
February 16, 2020 @ 7:23 pm
My having to choose between Hank, Sr. And the Opry is really no choice at all for me
These mainstream country music institutions (including country pop music) are smug, just like Nashville is smug.
They’re both meaningless to me.
February 16, 2020 @ 7:53 pm
Just Curious, did the V President and Executive Producer say what next Female Pop Singer they plan to induct into The Opry as member. No, really could careless since there is no George Strait, Miranda Lambert ect. I have no respect for The Opry anymore. Blake Shelton always cried every chance he got about how he thinks everyone should leave off the caps and dress respectable when they come to the Opry. The last time I heard him repeat it was to a respected Nashville DJ. He quickly told Shelton the Opry wasn’t what it use to be. Haven’t heard Shelton mention it since… doesn’t mean he hasn’t?
February 16, 2020 @ 8:14 pm
With all due respect, most of you cry babies are idiots. Dan Rogers has devoted 20 years to the Opry and deserves his job more than anyone. It baffles me how many people on here open their mouth and have absolutely NO IDEA what they are talking about. Hank Williams is a member of the Opry. He is dead so he is not a current member. That’s the end of the story. His name hangs on the wall in the member gallery. It always has. What more do you ignorant people want?
February 16, 2020 @ 8:20 pm
Okay, well if we can’t get Hank Williams Reinstated, can we at least get a consolation prize, like an Opry mug, or T-shirt?
February 16, 2020 @ 11:28 pm
loudermelkdonny@gmail.com: Hank Williams is inducted into Smithsonian. His daughter help get him inducted to Smithsonian. Hank is bigger than Grand Ole Opry.
February 17, 2020 @ 8:36 am
Sad he had a sickness and that sicknesses are treated so different today.
February 17, 2020 @ 6:48 pm
Sickness is not a choice. Hank’s problems were a choice that did lead into sickness. But it was a choice that started it all.
February 18, 2020 @ 8:19 am
There are definitely 2 schools of thought on this subject. Medical people may disagree with you.
February 17, 2020 @ 2:43 pm
Hank Williams is country and the Grand Ole Opry is not country
February 22, 2020 @ 1:20 pm
The last Opry show I saw in person last summer included this line-up: Jeannie Seely, Tyler Childers, Pam Tillis, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Aaron Lewis & Little Big Town. Tell me which of those artists aren’t country? More than half of their members are pure classic country by any reasonable definition.
February 17, 2020 @ 4:09 pm
Why was Tammy Wynette not ever instated by the
Opryland. Knew her from high school days in Mississippi. No one had that country twang mote than she- and all those hits. Was it a power struggle between her and George Jones or conflict with Sherell? I heard all kinds of rumors when I visited the museums in Nashville. Long live the REAL country music artists.
February 22, 2020 @ 1:38 pm
Where is your God now???
BBWWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!
May 17, 2021 @ 11:54 am
Hank was and still is a legend in country music and needs to be reinstated. Yah gotta respect the king o’ country.