The host of TENNESSEE Crossroads is being remembered after his passing on Monday. It was announced on the show that Joe Elmore had died at the age of 80 following 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, formerly known as 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. “Tennessee Crossroads was his baby and as Joe would have wanted, it will continue, as will his spirit,” he added. The show promised to keep producing episodes. Tennessee Crossroads, a Nashville Public Television show, has been on air since 1986. The show traveled across the state, highlighting important people, places, foods, restaurants, and events in small towns. Elmore had been at the helm of the show since its inception, making it a staple in Tennessee homes. He also appeared on NBC Sports’ Detroit Muscle, a weekly show about American muscle cars, and hosted Horsepower on Spike TV from 1997 to 2013.

Joe Elmore was born in Arkansas and attended Arkansas State University. He earned his Bachelor’s in journalism and Master’s in broadcasting and film from the University of Memphis. Elmore worked at the university as an assistant professor in the journalism department and as the director of media relations. He began his career at WHBQ-TV in Memphis, co-hosting the station’s PM Magazine. In 1985, Elmore moved to Nashville, quickly making Tennessee his home state.