Albert C. Gannaway Jr.

GANNAWAY, JR., Albert C. Film and television producer, writer and composer known best for the "The Grand Ole Opry" television series dies at age 88. Al Gannaway, a motion picture and television producer, writer, director and songwriter died on Wednesday in Baltimore, Maryland. He was 88. Mr. Gannaway produced several full length feature motion pictures during the 1950s and 60s but is perhaps best known for his production of the long running weekly television series "Stars of The Grand Ole Opry" which featured many legendary country music stars including Chet Atkins, Marty Robbins, Minnie Pearl and many others. Mr. Gannaway was the first to produce a television series using 35mm color film when television broadcasting was exclusively in black and white. As a songwriter he wrote with Johnny Mercer and also wrote songs for Nat King Cole, Bob Hope and Frankie Lane. Mr. Gannaway is survived by his former wife, Dana Gibson Gannaway; and his sons, Gary Gannaway, James Gannaway, Tyrone Young, his daughter-in-law, Wendy Gannaway; and two granddaughters. A private memorial service will be held in New York City. The family has expressed their wish that gestures of sympathy in lieu of flowers be made by charitable donations to the "Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine", 100 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 with a note indicating the donation is in memory of Al Gannaway for the benefit of Dr. Marek Mirski Research.