From April 12-20, 2015, Nashville StandUp produced the World Record setting #BrokenRecordShow at The East Room in Nashville, Tennessee – a non-stop 184 hour, 16 minute long standup comedy show that more than doubled the previous GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title of “Longest Stand-Up Comedy Show – Multiple Comedians.” The show featured about 100 comedians, including surprise celebrity guest sets from Hannibal Buress, Eric Andre, Rory Scovel, Nate Bargatze, Luis J. Gomez, Keith Alberstadt, Jon Reep, Ahmed Ahmed and Killer Beaz.
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By more than doubling the previous record of 80 hours, this non-stop stand up comedy marathon put Nashville into the record books of comedy history. A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title Adjudicator was on site to certify the attempt as an official world record on Wednesday April 15th at 8pm.. but the show kept going until Monday, April 20th, at 4:20am. Hundreds of people attended the event and even more watched online. The successful attempt was covered by many local and international media outlets and mentioned in countless social media posts. It was the greatest, dumbest thing we ever did.. and we’re going to do it again.
post show photo, April 20, 2015
Beginning at 11:59am on Sunday, May 15th, 2016, Nashville StandUp will attempt to break it’s own GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “LONGEST STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW – MULTIPLE COMEDIANS” at The East Room in Nashville, TN.. by five minutes.
The non-stop 8+ day schedule will feature showcases, feature-length, and headliner-length sets, and will include surprise drop-ins from comedians of various levels of fame and fortune. The brainchild of Nashville-based comic DJ Buckley, this record-breaking show is being co-produced by Nashville-based comedian Chad Riden and The East Room’s Ben Jones.
It’s The Greatest Dumbest Thing We’ve Ever Done Twice.
Nashville StandUp is a 509(a)(2) Public Charity with a mission to cultivate and promote middle Tennessee’s growing stand up comedy scene by supporting the Nashville-based comedians that help make the Music City a great place to see live comedy.
World Record holder DJ Buckley being carried around The East Room April 15, 2015. PHOTO: Erika Chambers
Craig Tyler Smith jumped to his death from the Parthenon Towers building in Nashville, Tennessee the evening of November 5th, 2015. He was a comedian, an arborist, an artist, a father and a friend. 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.
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.
L-R: Craig Smith, Ryan Williams, Jesse Perry, Chad Riden at The Cantina / Bar Car, circa 2004. Photo credit: Candice Self-Perry.
After months of working out material as an active regular at The Bar Car open mic nights in Cummins Station, Craig’s first paid gig as a comic was on September 25, 2003 at Christopher Pizza on Demonbreun where he performed with Mary Mack and Chad Riden. Within a few more months he had opened for Neil Hamberger at The End, and began organizing and hosting two monthly events, the Native Engine Comedy Show at The End and NashvilleStandUp.com Presents at Hair of the Dog.
Smith also booked shows at Springwater, Edge Hill Studios, Radio Cafe (which was where Mad Donna’s is now located) and Exit/In. Craig’s contribution to Nashville StandUp can not be overstated. He created opportunities for comics while understanding the importance of promoting the community as a whole – always mentioning NashvilleStandUp.com from the stage and on his show fliers. Not only was Craig a pro-active leader within the DIY indie comedy show scene, he also got work within the comedy club circuit. He performed at Zanies Comedy Showplace in Nashville and worked as a house emcee at the Knoxville Comedy Zone, often booking and hosting his own shows there as well.
Native Engine was a well loved showcase style show where comics could do 10-15 minute sets in a punk rock environment, whereas most other comedy shows in town at the time were open mics where comics performed for 3-5 minutes. The Hair of the Dog shows from 2004-2005 were also important because of the show format. Craig hosted, doing time up front before introducing one of two comics booked for the night, who could then do whatever amount of time they wanted. Other than the ‘Truth Beauty and Goodness Coffee House’ shows in Ashland City, this was the only show comics could learn to pace themselves over a longer set and structure a half-hour or hour-long act.
Craig Smith at The Bar Car in Nashville, November 4, 2003. Photo credit: Candice Self-Perry.
On January 29, 2005, Craig recorded his Hair of the Dog performance and self-released a 50 minute album called, “Craig Smith’s Pre-Apocalypse Comedy.” 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. Here’s a few excerpts:
“You know how people have those angels and devils sitting on their shoulders? My devil is a really, really fucking bad one. He got my angel strung out on hard drugs and he doesn’t come into work any more. So now, it’s just me and my devil hanging out, shooting dice, writin’ comedy.”
“I had a brainstorm the other day. Large areas of my brain were devastated. Hundreds of thoughts were left homeless. Motor skills were severely disrupted.”
“I was walking home the other night and it was so cold my right testicle actually had to slaughter a Tauntaun and take shelter in it until a search party could arrive. If you get that joke, by the way, you might be a little bit of a geek. For those of you who don’t know the Star Wars reference, a Tauntaun is like a space yak.”
“‘Accelerate your life, join the Navy.’ You think by ‘accelerate’ they mean ‘fast forward to the fucking end?’ ‘If anybody wrote a book about your life would anyone want to read it?’ Maybe not so much like Mr. Navy Seal over there but I’ll bet mine’s going to have a few more fucking chapters and some pages you might want to jack off to.”
Although Craig had booked shows at Springwater as early as June 2003 using the show name “Standup Commanche,” the first “Dive Laughing” comedy show was on Thursday, September 15, 2005 and featured Craig with Justin T (“Spice J”), Robert Reeves, Chad Riden, Joel T Wilson, and Jesse Perry. Craig ran several more booked “Dive Laughing” shows through the first half of 2006, which led up to him performing on Doug Stanhope’s “See Me Before I’m Dead Tour” show there May 4th, 2006 with Brett Erickson. Craig booked and hosted random other dates until Wednesday, July 7, 2010 when “Dive Laughing” was re-launched as an open mic recurring the first Wednesday of every month.
Craig once had a lineup for a Friday show he had booked at Springwater fall through at the last minute and he wanted to do something special to fill the date. He arranged for Nashville’s Utopian Suicide Suspension Crew to suspend him from hooks inserted into his back for 33-minutes as he performed a standup comedy set while hanging from chains. Craig sent the full video out to comedy club bookers. This short promo video was produced by Joel T Wilson:
For years now, we’ve been promoting the Springwater shows by saying, “There’s always an element of danger with comedy shows at Springwater. Several things can be rough: the crowds, the language, and finding a seat in the packed house. You never know what’s going to happen, but you can bet it’ll be funny and exciting.” The reality was you kinda knew what was going to happen: it was going to be smoky, comics would sign up and do their best (or their worst), Dave Cloud would get up and do his thing (possibly exposing himself), and Craig Smith would be there drinking and smoking and telling jokes.
Craig appeared as himself in Todd Snider’s 2013 film “East Nashville Tonight,” telling jokes and credited on screen only as “Comedian t.b.a.” In April 2015, Craig performed at The East Room as part of the Guinness World Record breaking #BrokenRecordShow. Over the last four or five years or so your best chance of seeing Craig onstage or off was by dropping in at Springwater. Regardless, his presence has continued to loom large throughout the Nashville comedy scene.
Craig Smith’s last performance – Springwater, November 4, 2015
Craig often worked as an Arborist, tending to trees. In 2012, Chad Riden was being sued by his Homeowner’s Association because his awful neighbor wanted him to cut down a beautiful Cedar tree in his back yard. Craig and his son came to Riden’s house – on Father’s Day even – to help his friend and fellow comic by climbing up the tree to prune it and make sure it was in good health. Later, Craig’s testimony in court was the nail in the coffin that won the case for Riden. Chad and Craig always joked that it was the only time either ever walked out of a courtroom victorious.
Nashville StandUp will be soon re-releasing Craig’s 2005 album, “Craig Smith’s Pre-Apocalypse Comedy” with the proceeds going to Craig’s 16-year-old son, Tyler Chance. Christine Hall, Craig’s ex-wife and the mother of his son, says that he wanted to be cremated and have his ashes scattered as they did with his father about 15 years ago.
Rest in peace, Craig. See you in the future.
11/8 UPDATE: Official service for Craig Smith will be held Tuesday November 10th from 4pm to 6pm at the pavillion in Centennial Park by Springwater followed by an unofficial celebration of his life from 6pm-8pm at Springwater (115 27th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203).
12/4 UPDATE: “Craig Smith’s Pre-Apocalypse Comedy” is now available to download from iTunes and Amazon but if you buy it right here from Nashville StandUp, a larger percentage of the money will go to Craig’s son, TC. THANK YOU for all of the support! It’s been a very difficult month.
Once in a generation, someone comes along with the power and eloquence to inspire us all. Jonnie W. will entertain us while we wait for that person. A nationally touring comedy headliner with musical chops, Jonnie blends his quirky songs with off-beat stand-up for a unique comedy experience not to be missed.
Jonnie recently launched an Indiegogo campaign to cover the costs of filming a project at the Franklin Theatre. On the funding page he says, “I’ve been telling jokes to strangers all over the country for over 8 years now, and I’m hoping to record my very first 1 hour comedy special soon.”
Nashville StandUp asked him why he chose to film his show here. Jonnie says:
“I looked at other venues in other cities as option for taping my new special, but it just feels right to be doing it in Nashville, since it’s the place that gave me my start in comedy. I moved here 8 years ago, and there’s such a unique energy to this town- creativity, music, desperation, and pain. The same qualities that made it a great city for innovation in music have contributed to a thriving new comedy scene. I’m honored to be a part of it.
We chose to shoot the special at the historic Franklin Theatre, which is almost 100 years old, and recently underwent a 4 million dollar restoration project. It’s a beautiful old room, and should be perfect for comedy. Now, as is the hard part in any entertainment town, I have to try and fill the seats.
I’m calling in favors from old friends to help make the recording happen, but it is still an expensive undertaking. I’ve launched an IndieGoGo campaign, to help offset some of the costs, and basically pre-sell the download of the project to contributors and fans out of state.”
There are perks ranging in price from $15 for a digital download of the finished project to $500 for a personalized video shout-out, your name in the credits of the special, a t-shirt and a bunch of other stuff. Support one of our very own as he creates something cool by pre-ordering his special now on his Indiegogo campaign or by buying tickets for the show itself.
Jonnie W’s DVD recording special
8pm, Saturday Nov 14, 2015
THE FRANKLIN THEATRE
419 Main Street, Franklin TN 37064
TICKETS:
$10 online or from the box office: 615-538-2076
/ boxoffice@franklintheatre.com Indiegogo campaign
Our friend Tony Youngblood wrote a lovely profile of Nashville comedian and musician Sean Parrott which was published in Nashville Arts Magazine. The full interview is available on their website, NashvilleArts.com. Here is an excerpt, where Sean explains how he started becoming interested in performing stand-up:
“I was writing plays in college and looking for a more self-centered way to make people laugh, without all the trouble of sets, costumes and, worst of all, actors. (Don’t trust anyone who wants to lie for a living.)”
Kevin Nealon is doing TWO shows and a meet and greet Friday at City Winery. Nashville StandUp is giving away FIVE pairs of tickets to the late show. Enter to win below.
With his unique sense of humor, profound dry wit and likeable demeanor, Kevin Nealon has established himself as one of the premiere television, theatrical and stand-up comedians of his generation.
As a cast member of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (1986-1995), Kevin is most recognized for the characters he created, including; ‘The Subliminal Man,’ ‘Hans and Franz,’ and anchoring ‘Weekend Update.’
Kevin was recently noted for starring on Showtime’s, Golden Globe winning hit series, “WEEDS.”
Kevin has also taped two one-hour stand up specials, ‘Now Hear Me Out’ and most recently, ‘Whelmed, But Not Overly,’ both now available on DVD and CD.
Nealon, who made his film debut in the 1987 romantic comedy, ‘Roxanne,’ with Steve Martin, has gone on to star in over two dozen comedies, including ‘Happy Gilmore’ and ‘The Wedding Singer,’ both with Adam Sandler, ‘Anger Management’ with Jack Nicholson, ‘Daddy Day Care’ with Eddie Murphy, ‘Grandma’s Boy,’ ‘Just Go With It’ and most currently, ‘Blended,’ with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
He has published a comedic memoir that chronicles his life and his experience with going through his wife’s pregnancy called, “Yes, You’re Pregnant, But What About Me?”
Kevin currently has a web series on AOL that he is co-producing with Ellen called, ‘Laugh Lessons with Kevin Nealon.’
Raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Nealon has a degree in Marketing from Sacred Heart University and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
