NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessean newsroom has officially added a new face to its breaking news team, welcoming reporter Elijah Carll to the staff this week. Carll, a recent University of Texas graduate, brings a unique blend of investigative experience and an unconventional background in performance arts to the Middle Tennessee media landscape.
Carll’s path to journalism was anything but linear. A self-described quiet child who struggled with basic conversation until the age of three, Carll eventually turned to an unlikely tool to overcome his shyness: magic.
“The secret? Magic,” Carll wrote in a recent feature introduction. “Since the age of eight, I’ve always practiced sleight of hand in my spare time. Card tricks were my go-to conversation starter.”
That early fascination with prestidigitation evolved into a professional skill set during his teenage years in Austin, Texas. Working as a magician at a local barbecue restaurant, Carll spent his shifts performing for patrons waiting in line. He credits that high-pressure environment for teaching him the fundamentals of engagement, persistence, and the art of getting people to open up—skills he now applies to field reporting.
After an early introduction to the industry shadowing radio host David Brown, and a transformative apprenticeship with YouTuber and magician Brian Brushwood, Carll pivoted toward professional media. At the University of Texas, he found his voice in video-centric journalism under the mentorship of veteran anchor Kate West, who helped him refine his ability to pair reliable, rigorous reporting with compelling visual storytelling.
Carll’s resume reflects a rapid ascent in the Texas media scene. Before moving to Nashville, he honed his craft at Texas Standard, the statewide NPR affiliate, as well as the investigative team at KXAN and Austin PBS. He also held leadership roles in student media, serving as the digital media producer for Texas Student Television during his final semester.
Despite his extensive resume, Carll’s transition to Nashville was a humble one. Following his graduation in May, he worked a stint at a taco shop before securing his role at The Tennessean. For Carll, the move is a homecoming of sorts, as he spent much of his youth visiting his father in the city.
“I’m over the moon that I not only get to join this city’s incredible community but also serve it directly through my reporting,” Carll said.
As he begins his tenure at the paper, Carll is encouraging locals to reach out with tips, concerns, or stories that deserve coverage. He can be reached via email at ecarll@gannett.com or on Instagram at @elijah_reports.
“Abracadabra, y’all,” Carll said. “I hope to meet you soon.”
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