{"id":41270,"date":"2025-07-17T19:31:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T19:31:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/17\/a-peek-inside-the-grand-ole-oprys-backstage-vending-machines\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T19:31:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T19:31:38","slug":"a-peek-inside-the-grand-ole-oprys-backstage-vending-machines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/17\/a-peek-inside-the-grand-ole-oprys-backstage-vending-machines\/","title":{"rendered":"A Peek Inside the Grand Ole Opry’s Backstage Vending Machines"},"content":{"rendered":"


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There are two things backstage at the Grand Ole Opry<\/a>\u00a0that are as iconic as the country stars who walk\u00a0the halls,\u00a0but rarely get talked about.<\/p>\n

Two vending machines behind the scenes of the esteemed\u00a0stage have likely been touched by countless legends.<\/p>\n

I recently had the opportunity to be a guest announcer at the\u00a0Grand Ole Opry, and while I was walking from my dressing room to the stage, I saw the vending machines.<\/p>\n

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Grand Ole Opry Vending Machines<\/span><\/p>

Evan Paul<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

I\u00a0thought to myself, “My God, these vending machines really only get used by country icons\u00a0who are backstage and may be a little hungry before they grace the Opry stage.”<\/p>\n

Let’s take a closer look at the machines that have likely served legends like Dolly Parton<\/a>, Reba McEntire<\/a> and George Strait<\/a>\u00a0over the years.<\/p>\n

Each machine serves\u00a0its own purpose: One is for healthy snack options, and\u00a0the other holds something for those living on the edge of snacking.<\/p>\n

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Grand Ole Opry Vending Machines<\/span><\/p>

Evan Paul<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Inside the machine with the healthier options, you’ll find everything from Clif Bars to Sunchips.<\/p>\n

If a country superstar wants to make a mess of their dressing room, they can get one of the Nature’s Valley Granola Bars that are known to be messier than the beach.<\/p>\n

There are also a variety of baked snacks and a built-in beverage dispenser. Its offerings range from Diet Mountain Dew to regular, Monster Energy drinks and water.<\/p>\n

For the brave, you’ll also find Funyuns.<\/p>\n

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Grand Ole Opry Vending Machines<\/span><\/p>

Evan Paul<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Now to the more fun vending machine \u2014\u00a0probably the one\u00a0Blake Shelton<\/a> hits as he walks onto the Opry stage.<\/p>\n

In this vending machine you have the classic snacks that are sure to delight even the most famous of stars.<\/p>\n

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You have cookies lining the bottom row and\u00a0candy bars taking up two rows, so there are a variety of options.<\/p>\n

Then you get into the Os: Cheetos, Doritos and Fritos. The chip options are as plentiful in this machine.<\/p>\n

Both vending machines have the options to\u00a0use cash, credit or Apple Pay, so the artists backstage\u00a0can get what they want even if they don’t have change.<\/p>\n

Overall, I would rank the two vending machines at about a 9 out of 10 as far as their contents, but a 100 for the fact that they are rarely seen or used by the public \u2014 rather, they’re frequented by country legends!<\/p>\n

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31 Country Stars You Won’t Believe Aren’t Grand Ole Opry Members<\/h2>\n
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There are 76 members of the Grand Ole Opry as of March 2025, but that doesn’t include 15 living CMA or ACM Entertainers of the Year and several Country Music Hall of Famers. George Strait,<\/a> Kenny Chesney <\/a>and Willie Nelson<\/a> are three legends who rarely play the Grand Ole Opry. Why?<\/div>\n

That answer is often difficult to determine, but this list of stars you won’t believe aren’t members suggests reasons where appropriate. <\/p>\n

Membership<\/a> into the Grand Ole Opry comes with an obligation to play the show frequently, but that’s often set aside (Barbara Mandrell is an inactive member, for example). Only living artists are considered, and once a member dies, they are no longer a member.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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6 Stars Banned by the Grand Ole Opry (and Why They Got the Boot)<\/h2>\n
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Just because the Grand Ole Opry invites you to perform on their stage once doesn’t mean it’s necessarily an open invitation. These six performers were all asked to leave at one point or another \u2014 and some never got invited back!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n