The host of TENNESSEE Crossroads is being remembered after his death on Monday.
It was announced on the show that Elmore had died at the age of 80 after a long illness.
A long illness took the life of our beloved friend and Tennessee Crossroads host for 37 years this morning. There’s no easy way to say this, the show wrote on X, which used to be Twitter.
“A great person and a close friend have died. “We will miss his amazing skills, his kindness, and his great sense of humor,” said Ed Jones, Executive Producer of Tennessee Crossroads.
He wrote, “Tennessee Crossroads was his baby and as Joe would have wanted, it will continue, as will his spirit.” The show promised to keep making episodes.
A Nashville Public Television show called Tennessee Crossroads has been on since 1986 and last aired in 1987.
The show went all over the state and showed things that are important in small towns by focusing on important people, places, foods, restaurants, and events.
Elmore had been in charge of the show since the beginning, and it was a regular in Tennessee homes.
He was also on Detroit Muscle, an NBC Sports show that airs every week and is about American muscle cars.
Elmore also had a car show on Spike TV called Horsepower, which ran from 1997 to 2013.
THINKING OF JOE ELMORE
Joe Elmore was born in Arkansas and went to college at Arkansas State.
He went to the University of Memphis and got his Bachelor’s in journalism and his Master’s in broadcasting and film.
Elmore worked for the university as an assistant professor in the journalism department and as the director of media relations.
NPT says he began his career at WHBQ-TV in Memphis, where he co-hosted the station’s PM Magazine.
In 1985, Elmore moved to Nashville, and he quickly made Tennessee his home state.
Aside from journalism and cars, Elmore was also a huge music fan.
According to The Tennessean, he played in bands all through his young adult years and even with the Bill Black Combo.
Before starting the band, Bill Black played bass guitar for Elvis Presley.
Elmore also went on solo tours and put out music on the Mega label.
“WE WILL KEEP HIS LEGACY”
A lot of people, including coworkers, fans, and people from Tennessee, have paid tribute to the TV personality.
Joe was truly amazing, and his time and skills were a gift to our team, our viewers, and the state of Tennessee that can’t be matched, said NPT President and CEO Becky Magura.
“We won’t be able to find someone to replace him, but Tennessee Crossroads will carry on his work.”
“Prayers to the family, friends, and coworkers of Joe Elmore,” WTVF-TV Nashville anchor Lelan A. Statom wrote on X. Today was the last day of the host of Nashville Public Television’s Tennessee Crossroads.
“Joe and his team put together a wonderful program showcasing people & places across the state.”
Fans of Elmore’s shows are remembering him on social media. One person tweeted, “This was my Bob Ross.” The person who thought anyone could make a cool car. I love cars and hot rods because of him. “Rest in peace, Joe Elmore.”
“Death to Joe Elmore. Thanks for making me remember. “Power Block and Horsepower TV were important parts of my childhood,” said someone else.
“These days, it’s hard to find media personalities who are as honest as Joe Elmore. It was real with Joe.
“He brought it into every great story he told.” “That was a gift he gave people in Tennessee to see for 37 years,” wrote a third.
Even though NPT hasn’t said how the show will go on or who will host it after Elmore’s death, they did say that Tennessee Crossroads would live on in his honor.
To get a comment from NPT, The U.S. Sun reached out but did not hear back right away.