Grant Turner (radio host)
Grant Turner | |
---|---|
Born | Jessie Granderson Turner May 17, 1912 Baird, Texas, US |
Died | October 19, 1991 Brentwood, Tennessee, US | (aged 79)
Nationality | American |
Years active | 1928–1991 |
Known for | Radio host of the Grand Ole Opry (1945–1991) |
Spouse | Aubrey Faye Grose Hayes (1934–1991, Grant's death) |
Awards | Country Disc Jockey Hall of Fame, 1975 Country Music Hall of Fame, 1981 |
Grant Turner (May 17, 1912 – October 19, 1991) was an American disc jockey known as the long time host of the Grand Ole Opry and on WSM AM radio in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1981, Turner was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the first announcer or disk jockey to achieve that honor.
Early life
Born Jessie Granderson Turner in Baird, Texas near Abilene, he was the son of a banker and the grandson of a rancher.[1] In 1928 while in high school, Turner per formed on KFYO-AM in Abilene and performed as Ike and His Guitar before becoming an announcer for the station that same year.[2] After majoring in journalism in college and then worked in newspapers both in Texas and Louisiana during the 1930s, Turner returned to radio at KFRO-AM in Longview, Texas.[1] By 1942, Turner left Texas for a radio position in Knoxville, Tennessee.[2]
Career at WSM
In 1944, Turner rode an all-night bus from Knoxville to Nashville to audition for WSM-AM.
While at the Opry, Turner also hosted the pre-Opry Grand Ole Opry Warmup Show, spinning records and taking requests on the Opry Stage every Friday and Saturday night shows, first at the
Music and other recording career
Outside of the Opry, Turner had a less than successful career as a recording artist. During 1951–52, Turner recorded four duets with Helen Carter for Tennessee and Republic Records.[1] In 1964–65, Turner had four solo numbers with Chart Records (now part of Sony Music ).[2] Turner also made spoken-word LP recordings, including one personal Opry memoir for CVS Records in 1980.[1] That same year, Turner had an uncredited role as an Opry announcer in the Loretta Lynn biographical film Coal Miner's Daughter.[5]
Legacy
Known for his diction, ingratiating personality, and professionalism, Turner was among the first three inductees in the Country Disc Jockey Hall of Fame (now Country Radio Seminar On-Air Hall of Fame Inductees) in 1975.[2][6][7] Six years later, Turner was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with Vernon Dalhart.[1][8]
Turner was the first radio host or announcer to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The other two announcers inducted were Ralph Emery in 2007 and Kix Brooks (as part of Brooks & Dunn) in 2019 (Brooks succeeded Bob Kingsley as host of American Country Countdown in January 2006.).[9][10][11]
Personal life
Turner was born to John Wesley Turner (1889–1940) and Mamie Allison Turner (formerly Hart. 1887–1952), the oldest of three siblings.[4] Turner married Audrey Faye Grose Hayes in 1950; they had one child, Nancy; Lorene Hughes in 1956 and stayed as such until Turner's death.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Pugh, Ronnie (1998). "Grant Turner." In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 551-2.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Country Music Hall of Fame Profile of Grant Turner. - accessed August 2, 2020.
- ^ About the Grand Ole Opry. - accessed August 2, 2020.
- ^ a b c Find A Grave profile of Grant Turner. - accessed August 2, 2020.
- ^ Coal Miner's Daughter IMDB profile - accessed September 18, 2020.
- ^ List of Country Radio Seminar On-Air Hall of Fame inductees. - accessed August 2, 2020.
- ^ Country Radio Seminar profile of Grant Turner. - accessed August 2, 2020.
- ^ Country Music Hall of Fame profile of Vernon Dalhart. - Accessed August 2, 2020.
- ^ Country Music Hall of Fame profile of Ralph Emery. - accessed August 2, 2020.
- ^ Country Music Hall of Fame profile of Brooks & Dunn. - access August 2, 2020.
- ^ Kix Brooks Radio website. - accessed August 2, 2020.