The Grand Ole Opry has inducted hundreds into its esteemed ranks, but one showgirl is missing from it: Taylor Swift.
Swift, who just announced her engagement to Travis Kelce and recently revealed her 12th studio album “Life of a Showgirl”, has spent over a decade in the spotlight. First making her way through Nashville’s country music scene before transitioning her sound to pop, skyrocketing into superstardom with legions of Swifties to show for it.
But nearly 20 years ago, she was a 16-year-old in a white dress with big, curly hair singing for the first time at the Grand Ole Opry.
And while her fame has skyrocketed, it has not garnered her a membership to the country music institution.
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When did Taylor Swift play at the Grand Ole Opry?
On Sept. 1, 2006, she took the Grand Ole Opry stage to sing her new single “Tim McGraw” to a crowd of 4,000 people.
“Oh my God, I’m on the Opry,” she exclaimed then.
How do people become members of the Grand Ole Opry?
The decision of who becomes an Opry member is, and always has been, made by the show’s management.
When making the decision to initiate a membership, several things are taken into account, according to The Opry’s website, including:
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Why isn’t Taylor Swift a member of the Grand Ole Opry?
While the decision comes down to management, there is a lot an artist has to contribute to be part of the Opry. Including a number of performances.
In 1963, the Opry ruled that members had to make at least 26 yearly appearances to be an active member of the Opry. But over the years, that number has dwindled. At the turn of the millennium, members were only required to make 12 appearances a year.
Swift, who has spent the last several years traveling the world with The Eras Tour, last appeared at the Opry during its 85th birthday celebration in 2010. Additionally, while she has long-term ties to Nashville, she hasn’t called Music City home since 2015.
“If Taylor re-rooted herself in Nashville (as has been rumored since Dec. 2024) — where she initially moved in 2003 and remained through 2015 — and returned to the stage on Opryland Drive, the potential could emerge for more significant Opry interest regarding her membership,” predicted Tennessean music reporter Marcus K. Dowling.
Who are the members of the Grand Ole Opry?
From Dolly Parton to Willie Nelson, and from Blake Shelton to Kelsea Ballerini, the names of Grand Ole Opry members form a who’s who of country music stars, past and present. The list ranges from contemporary stars like Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bently and stretches back to legends like Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and many more.
You can find a full list of members since the beginning at opry.com/artist.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Is Taylor Swift a member of the Grand Ole Opry? What it takes to join
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