The Day Criticism About the Police Got Skeeter Davis Banned From the Grand Ole Opry

In the late 1940s, Kentucky native Skeeter Davis first broke out as part of the Davis Sisters with her singing partner, Betty Jack Davis. Though the two weren’t related, they formed a sisterly bond since first meeting in high school in 1947.

They released their debut, “Jealous Love,” and first country hit, “I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know,” in 1953. The latter spent eight weeks on top of the Country chart in 1953.

Shortly after their success, both were involved in a car accident in 1953, which killed Betty Jack and left Skeeter with severe head injuries. After the accident, Davis decided to retire from music and start a family, but briefly reformed the Davis Sisters with Betty Jack’s older sister, Georgia, and performed with her until 1956.

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Skeeter’s Return to Music, Ban from the Opry

By 1958, Davis decided to return to music as a solo artist and was welcomed in as a member of the Grand Ole Opry a year later. During this time, she released her first country hit, “Lost to a Geisha Girl,” which went to No. 15, and other hits, “Am I That Easy to Forget” and Homebreaker.” During this time, she also started touring with June Carter, and they became close friends.

After years of performing at the Opry, one particular show in the early ’70s was preceded by an event Davis witnessed and wanted to share with the audience.

During her performance on December 8, 1973, Davis shared the story of witnessing the arrest of 15 members of the Christian organization Christ Is the Answer Crusade at a local shopping center. She then expressed her contempt for the police officers involved and their actions against the group.

“This is really something that I should share,” Davis said to the Opry. “I didn’t ask our manager, but they’ve arrested 15 people just for telling people that Jesus loves them. And that really burdened my heart, so I thought I would sing you all this song.”

Davis then went on to sing “Amazing Grace” and dedicated it to Nashville street evangelists who were arrested by the police. She had also recorded the classic hymnal for her 1971 album Love Takes A Lot Of My Time.

After her performance a policeman who worked Opry security supposedly told Davis he was “disgusted” with her and told her to apologize for her comments. A week later, Grand Ole Opry manager Bud Wendell called Davis to tell her that her membership was suspended, indefinitely, and she was banned from performing at the Opry.

[RELATED: 5 Country Artists Who Were Banned from the Grand Ole Opry]

Skeeter’s Opry Return

In 1974, the Opry welcomed Davis back, and she continued to perform there throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s before her very last performance in 2002.

Davis remained an Opry member until her death at age 72 in 2004 from breast cancer.

Photo: David Redfern/Redferns