Axios Nashville

June 07, 2024
It is Friday. You know what that means.
- Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 82.
Today's newsletter is 662 words — a 2.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Pat Sajak's Nashville connection
Pat Sajak will preside over his final round of "Wheel of Fortune" tonight after more than 40 years at the helm of the classic game show.
Fun fact: His road to the "Wheel" passed through Nashville. One of Sajak's early broadcast jobs was as a weekend weatherman and host at WSMV in the 1970s. He also worked as a DJ at WSM radio.
Flashback: Sajak remembered packing up all of his things and moving to Nashville from Kentucky in the 1970s during a recent interview with his daughter.
- He initially worked the front desk at a Howard Johnson's. It was down the road from the WSMV studio, where he was a frequent visitor.
- "I would go there about once a week and beg for work," he said. Eventually, he got a job.
What he's saying: "I did a lot of stuff and learned a lot about television" in Nashville, Sajak said.
- WSMV reports Sajak left the TV station in 1977 to work in Los Angeles. A few years later, he was tapped to host "Wheel."
The intrigue: Sajak briefly hosted a late-night talk show from 1989-1990. He brought his WSMV buddy, the legendary late anchor Dan Miller, along for the ride as his on-air sidekick. They reminisced about their Nashville roots when Dolly Parton stopped by the show.
- "I do remember you guys," Parton said. "I became a big fan of yours."
- She described Sajak delivering one of his weather reports while wearing a clown collar.
- "It's stuff like that that got me to Hollywood, folks," Sajak said.
How to watch: "Wheel of Fortune" will air Sajak's last episode at 6:30pm on WKRN.
Things to do
📆 Upcoming events around the city.
Blackberry Jam Music Festival at 331 Franklin Road on June 29: A day of music, fun, and community support. This event is for everyone and supports a great cause. Come rain or shine, the festival promises an unforgettable experience.
Hosting an event? Email [email protected].
2. Dolly goes to Broadway
Parton is bringing her life story to Broadway.
- The icon announced the long-awaited musical, "Hello, I'm Dolly," will debut in 2026.
Zoom in: Parton said the musical, which has been in the works for years, would include a song called "I Wouldn't Be Here If You Hadn't Been There."
- A promotional website credits Parton for music and lyrics. She will also co-write the musical's book, which is what theater kids call the script.
What she's saying: "I've written a whole lot of original songs for it as well as all the hit songs that you know," Parton said yesterday while announcing the musical at CMA Fest.
- "You'll get to know all of my life up till now. ... It really does have a lot of story, a lot of family."
Flashback: Parton previously wrote music and lyrics for the "9 to 5" musical based on her hit 1980 movie.
The intrigue: The ever-productive country queen used her CMA Fest appearance to promote a slew of new ventures. She announced the launch of a new line of Dolly Parton wine.
- Parton also provided more details about a downtown museum and hotel, which will be called Songteller.
3. The Setlist: Elon Musk's Memphis investment
⚾ Tennessee baseball begins Super Regional play against underdog Evansville in Knoxville today. (Nashville Post)
Two grant-funded Metro programs to address youth violence, approved last year, are still just getting started. (Nashville Banner)
🖥️ Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI plans to build a supercomputer in Memphis, though it's undetermined how many jobs it will bring. (Commercial Appeal)
4. The Friday News Quiz: Wheel of Fortune style
In honor of today's "Wheel of Fortune" turning point, we're channeling our inner Sajak for the weekly news quiz.
Zoom in: We are providing fill-in-the-blank puzzles with most of the letters blank. (We filled in R, S, T, L, N and E.)
- _ _ _ S _ (The federal student aid form that Tennessee students must file by Aug. 1)
- _N_ _ _RTEN (The Food Network personality who is coming to Nashville in December)
- _ _R_SE _L_ _ER (The smelly plant that bloomed at the zoo this week)
- N_ _ _LE _ _ _ _ _N (The movie star who picked the films for an upcoming Belcourt series honoring her)
✍️ Fill in the blanks and reply with your answers. If you get them right, we'll name-drop you on Monday.
Our picks:
Nate's song of the day is "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany.
Adam has fallen further into the reality TV abyss by starting "Vanderpump Rules" from the beginning.
This newsletter was edited by Jen Ashley and copy edited by Katie Lewis.
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