TV producers pledge to continue making ‘Tennessee Crossroads,’ the show Elmore helped launch in 1986, ‘as Joe would’ve wanted.’
Joe Elmore, who took viewers of public television’s “Tennessee Crossroads” to nearly every small town and quirky corner of the Volunteer State for 37 years, died Monday after a long illness. He was 80.
“Tennessee Crossroads” and Nashville Public Television, which produced the show, confirmed his death.
“We have lost a legend and a dear friend. We’ll miss his phenomenal skills, his kind-heartedness, and his wonderful sense of humor,” said Ed Jones, his longtime executive producer. “Tennessee Crossroads was his baby.”
In a Facebook post Monday afternoon, show producers pledged to continue making the beloved show, which chronicles life in Tennessee.
“As Joe would’ve wanted,” the post read, “the show he helped create will continue, as will his spirit.”
Co-workers and viewers thought of Elmore as a kind, consummate professional who helped Tennesseans discover charming parts of the state they might not have known about.
“Soft-spoken, humble, a true gentleman and the best representative of the state of Tennessee I ever have known,” said longtime Nashville broadcaster Laura Faber, a “Tennessee Crossroads” producer since 2020.
“He was a comfortable soul,” she said, “always professional and kind, and the best story teller.”
WKRN News 2 news anchor Bob Mueller, Nashville’s longest-running television personality, called Elmore “a legend in local broadcasting.”
“His constant smile and professionalism for his craft will be missed,” Mueller told The Tennessean. “On air, he was always educating, highlighting nuance and unique aspects of each story. You could tell he loved his work and interacting with his viewers.”
“Tennessee Crossroads” reporter and former Fox 17 news personality Miranda Cohen said Elmore made fundraising appearances for Nashville Public Television as recently as March.
“It was fun to be at events with him because it was fun to see people’s reactions to him,” Cohen said. “They just read up!”
And Elmore’s fans were equally disappointed when the “Tennessee Crossroads” van pulled up to a small town and Elmore wasn’t inside, she said.
“They’d look right past us and say, ‘Is Joe here? Is Joe here?’ They were so truly disappointed!” Cohen said, laughing. “And I got it. He was really phenomenal.
“If you were fortunate enough to meet Joe Elmore, you met the exact same wonderful man whom you saw on television sharing his love of exploring the beloved highways and byways of his [adopted] home state.”
Elmore launched TV career in Memphis
Elmore launched his television career in Memphis, when he served as weekend reporter and anchor at WHBQ. Later, he co-hosted the station’s “PM Magazine” show, a role where he produced nationally broadcast stories, the “Tennessee Crossroads” website says.
A native of Paragould, Arkansas, a town of about 30,000 in the northeastern part of the state, he performed in pop and “garage rock” bands, starting in the 1960s. Generally a bass guitarist, Elmore played in several high school and college bands, including “The Blazers” and “The Tarantulas.”
The view from Memphis: Joe Elmore, ‘Tennessee Crossroads’ and Memphis ‘PM Magazine’ host, has died
More notably, Elmore recorded and toured internationally, from the 1960s through the early 1980s, with one of Memphis’ most storied musical institutions, the Bill Black Combo, founded by Bill Black, who had played bass with Elvis Presley (notably on the famous ” Sun Sessions”).
With Elmore in the band, the Combo played everywhere from New York’s famous Peppermint Lounge to the Admiral Benbow Inn near the Memphis airport.
Elmore made mark in music
In 1973, as a solo artist, Elmore recorded his own composition, “Ride On Rock and Roll,” which was released as a 45rpm single by the Mega label.
“Music is my nemesis,” Elmore joked in a 1983 interview in the Memphis Press-Scimitar.
At the time he was a fixture onstage in Overton Square, performing with Mike Crews and, with his latest band, the Spoilers.
“I’ve tried to kick the habit. I get a lot of strange comments,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me too much unless someone tells me I ought to stick with TV.”
Elmore studied journalism at Arkansas State University and film and television at Memphis State University before landing that first TV job in Memphis.
After three years, Elmore moved to Nashville and did some freelance work for cable TV’s The Nashville Network before helping launch “Tennessee Crossroads.”
The Nashville/Midsouth chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) inducted Elmore into its Silver Circle — recognizing 25 years of service in TV — in 2014.
Elmore is survived by his daughter, Lily Elmore of Boston; his sons, Chris Elmore of Jonesboro and Bobby Elmore of Orlando, Florida; his sister, Beth Elmore of Nashville; and a former wife, Afsoon Elmore of Orlando. A memorial service will be organized in Nashville.
Nashville Public Television said a broadcast tribute to Elmore is planned.
