Elle King’s Botched, Profane Dolly Opry Tribute Performance
Elle King played the Grand Ole Opry’s tribute to Dolly Parton on Friday night (1/19) for the icon’s birthday in Nashville. She was clearly drunk, botching one of Dolly’s songs, forgetting the words, and using profanity throughout.
King sang one of Parton’s songs (“Marry Me”) off-key and at one point sang her own lyrics, “I don’t know the lyrics that she sings in the f—— town. Don’t tell Dolly ’cause it’s her birthday.” After the song, she looked disoriented and said to the crowd, ‘You’re ( the audience) like holy s—, we bought tickets for this s—. I’m not even alive.” Her bandmate jokes, “That’s a b-side for ya.” King continues as the uneasy audience laughs, “Holy s—, I’m not even gonna f—— lie. Ya’ll bought tickets for this s—. you ain’t getting your money back.” One guy yells, “I don’t want It,” and she shouts back, “Good, ’cause you ain’t getting it.”
Elle then says, “I’ll tell you one thing more. Hi, my name is Elle King, and I’m f—— hammered.” She then says some illegible things and says, “Celebrating Dolly’s birthday with a bottle. I’ll celebrate her birthday in one way or two.” Her bandmate then says, “Elle, why don’t we give them one of yours?” King says, “How about that? Go ahead, why don’t you give me this s—? I’ll tell you one thing: I can barely play another person’s song; let’s see if I can play one of mine.” She then screams to the crowd, asking them if they are having fun before launching into one of her songs on the mandolin.
See that video here.
RELATED: Dolly Parton’s Birthday Present To Fans
Dolly or King has yet to comment on the performance, but Dolly’s sister Stella Parton did comment on X. She wrote, “I didn’t see nor hear the Grand Ole Opry birthday tribute to my big sister Dolly over the weekend. But some little girl by the name of Elle King apparently cussed and insulted some of Dolly’s fans by not knowing a song. She did admit to being “hammered” her word, not mine.”
Parton continued, “But let me just say this, it wouldn’t be the first time a Hillbilly went on the stage of the Opry “hammered” but I guess it’s ok if you’re a male but good lord don’t ever let a girl behave that way, folks! Double f—— standard if ya ask me. So the Opry is apologizing! Lol”
She concluded, “To any lil ego thinking they can learn the lyrics correctly with a half-assed listen to one of Dolly’s songs. Surprise! You’ll end up looking as silly as that lil girl. Do your homework, people. Memorize the lyrics to Jolene or COMC. My sister loves words. A brilliant wordsmith.”
See that post here.
The Grand Ole Opry did apologize for the incident to a fan who commented on a post by Lauren Alaina on X. The Opry wrote, “We deeply regret and apologize for the language that was used during last night’s second Opry performance.”
Other fans reacting to the post said the Opry should “get rid” of King for good.
See that post here.
Dolly Parton: Her Five Most Fabulous Music Videos
