Grand Ole Opry under fire after Morgan Wallen performs on stage
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — ERNEST's Grand Ole Opry debut is getting a lot of attention, but for all the wrong reasons.
Eclectic Nashville singer/songwriter ERNEST played the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night for the first time. He was later joined on stage by surprise guest Morgan Wallen.
ERNEST and Wallen performed their new duet “Flower Shops” The two also enjoyed success in 2021 with Wallen's “More Than My Hometown," which ERNEST co-wrote.
Many people, including fellow musician Jason Isbell, took to social media this weekend to express their disdain that Wallen was allowed to perform at the historic venue after he dropped a racial slur last year. Isbell reportedly donated money from Morgan Wallen album sales to NAACP, as he wrote the song, "Cover Me Up."
A Grand Ole Opry tweet from June 9, 2020, where they say, "Racism is real, It is unacceptable. And it has no place at the Grand Ole Opry" has now resurfaced, as people criticize the move.
The Black Opry, a home for Black artists and Black fans of country, blues, folk, and Americana music, responded with a letter to the Grand Ole Opry with their concerns, and also took to social media.
FOX 17 News has reached out to the Grand Ole Opry for a statement.
Coincidentally, Wallen performed on the Opry stage Saturday nearly 55 years to the day when Charley Pride became the first black singer to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.
Wallen did apologize after making the racial slur, but the fallout included his record label suspended his contract and the CMA board limited his award eligibility. His album sales, however, soared.
