Craig Shoemaker

I couldn’t fit the whole photo, but beside me are legends Roseanne Barr and Lily Tomlin. They had just handed me the trophy for Best Male Standup at the American Comedy Awards on ABC.

In my speech, I mentioned how so many Hollywood folks were telling me to mention them in my thank you for helping me with my career, but I decided to name the folks I’d LIKE to now help me with my career. “So I’d like to thank Stevie Spielberg, Marty Scorsese, my man Mel Brooks…”

I didn’t know any of these directors, and I still don’t!

Honestly, it was one of the most lonely nights of my life. This is when I got an ugly glimpse into show business. Jealousy puts a target on your back. The bigger you get, small people come out. Hate only comes from below.

I came to realize that trophies and awards/accolades are momentary, meaningless, and only decided by being a trend at that time.

Ironically, my career didn’t fall from that point forward, but it rose, from a new foundation of concentrating on the Laughter, and not joining the misery, loves company crowd. Seeking validation will only lead to disappointment.

Emmy awards, other honors, and a three page, 10 photograph article in the New York Times happened, but these are temporary, shallow fixes. Meaningless. Symbolically, the framed New York Times article is now discolored, has become sepia, and looks like it was written around the Civil War, and could’ve been called “Custer‘s last Standup.”

The reason I’m still headlining venues across the world, is due to removing myself from trendy, popularity contests, and replacing that endless search to look deeper within, tapping into the creator, who guides me to sole porpoise - to bring joy and Laughter to the world.

YOU are the reward award - the people who keep coming back, knowing you’re in for a fun night of laughs.

I’d like to thank all of you, and in advance, I’d like to thank the peachy people of Atlanta, who are buying tickets to see me tonight through Sunday at the Punchline!