First, there was Sabrina Carpenter. Now, another non-country music artist will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry during its 100th anniversary. James Taylor will make his debut on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
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He will be joined by Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Scotty Hasting, Jamey Johnson, Craig Morgan, and Gary Sinise and the Lieutenant Dan Band.
Why James Taylor Is a Better Choice for the Opry Than Sabrina Carpenter?
As we previously reported, Carpenter is making her debut at the Opry on Oct. 7 with Laci Kaye Booth, Kaitlin Butts, and Kameron Marlowe. She will also be playing in celebration of the Opry's 100th Birthday Show.
However, many wondered why a pop superstar like Carpenter is performing at a venue that had traditionally been associated with country artists.
"Ok, I love her so much, but why is she at the Opry?" asked one user. Another said, "I mean, I'm not hating here...I just don't get what a non-country artist is going to play at the Opry."
Taylor's music, on the other hand, has teamed up with numerous country stars over the years, including Chris Stapleton and Opry member Gill. George Hamilton IV, an Opry legend, has even recorded covers of "Carolina in My Mind" and "Sweet Baby James."
He also performed "Wichita Lineman" in 2011 with Lyle Lovett and Opry member Alison Krauss during the "Country Music: In Performance At The White House" special. He even won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration of the Year with Krauss for the song "How's The World Treating You?"
Let's Face It, Country Is for Everyone
We won't get territorial here. Despite her limited credentials (Dolly Parton collaboration aside), Carpenter has just as much right to perform at the Opry as James Taylor.
In fact, as far as non-country artists who've played on the Nashville venue go, she's in pretty good company. As we reported, Elvis Presley, "the King of Rock 'n Roll," performed there in 1954.
And though Paramore isn't a country band, they are from Nashville. They performed at the Opry in 2023.
Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler even made an appearance. So yeah, the Opry is for everyone.
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