Grant Turner

Grant Turner, a Grand Ole Opry announcer for a half-century, died Saturday of a heart aneurysm. He was 79. As he had for 47 years, Mr. Turner worked the Friday night Opry show. He died six hours later at Saint Thomas Hospital. “He worked every Friday and Saturday night, every weekend, doing what he loved best,” said his daughter, Nancy Turner, who said her father had an enlarged aorta and knew he was at risk. Mr. Turner also provided daily commentary on Nashville radio station WSM, where he worked for 47 years, his family said. He was also a member of the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame.