NASHVILLE – The state House has unanimously approved a measure to name a stretch of Interstate 40 in Shelby County after legendary soul singer Isaac Hayes.
The bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Jimmy Naifeh of Covington to name a segment of the road “Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway” passed on a 94-0 vote Monday.
Hayes, whose “Theme From Shaft” won both Academy and Grammy awards, died in 2008. He was raised in Tipton County, but he also had a home in Memphis.
Republican Rep. Phillip Johnson of Pegram jokingly asked Naifeh whether he was using his bill “to give anyone ‘The Shaft.”‘
Naifeh’s response: “Well, yes.”
The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Finance Committee.