Description
The intros for Craig Smith from emcees that knew him varied from “Satan’s favorite comic” to “a very special person.” One of the darkest and most prolific writers on the Nashville comedy scene during the early 2000’s, Craig’s persistent honesty and tales of absurdist reality set audiences up for something they didn’t see coming – laughter, even if in spite. He closed every show with the line, “See you in the future,” and you got the feeling he meant it.
On January 29, 2005, Craig recorded a performance at Hair of the Dog in Nashville and self-released an album. Chad Riden introduced him that night saying, “I’m always excited to see this guy do time. He’s incredible. He’s one of my favorite comics. Honestly, he’s one of the most prolific and introspective and perceptive.. and funny.. just raw, funny guys I know.” Craig’s topics ranged from crack whores to Friedrich Nietzsche, touching on his marriage, his father’s death, racism, politics and a lot of silly stuff.
Craig Tyler Smith jumped to his death from the Parthenon Towers building in Nashville, Tennessee the evening of November 5th, 2015. Debbie Smith, Craig’s mother, says he had been to a doctor because he has been coughing up blood for months and had severe chest and back pain for the last week. Craig believed he had terminal lung cancer and, we assume, didn’t want to be a burden to his family while he withered away, suffering.
In the days that followed Craig’s death, Nashville StandUp re-released his long out-of-print 2005 album, “Craig Smith’s Pre-Apocalypse Comedy” with the proceeds going to Craig’s 16-year-old son, Tyler Chance.
Rest in peace, Craig. See you in the future.
