Craig Lee-Smith


Location: Melbourne, VIC

Challenge: Aspergers Syndrome

Website: facebook.com/craigleesmithacousticpage

Craig Lee-Smith has been performing live around Melbourne and surrounding areas singing his own compositions. He says "My own songs are a unique acoustic folk style that tell a story, in a humorous sort of way. I perform mainly on my own backing myself with an acoustic guitar and sometimes harmonica, piano-accordion, autoharp, banjo or mandolin as needed".

Craig has performed at venues such as the Empress Hotel, the Stork Hotel and the Town Hall Hotel in Melbourne, the Newmarket Hotel and The Basement Bar in Bendigo and the Grace Emily Hotel in Adelaide.

In short, Craig plays Irish, American and Australian folk and originals on piano-accordion and harmonica.

In June 2005 Craig released his debut album Yard Sale. Live to air radio performances include 3CR Melbourne's "Blue Green Footprints", Russ Kellett's show on 3MDR-FM in Emerald VIC, Adelaide's 3D Radio "Hillbilly Hoot" and Radio Adelaide's "The Folk Show". He adds "I have also appeared on Channel 31 (Melbourne Community Television) performing one of my songs".

He has appeared on 3RRR's long-running "The Party Show" three times, playing three songs live to air as well as playing banjo on the closing theme song, Tiny Tim's rendition of "My Way", and I have performed onstage with bands such as the Litchfield Hallstars, Pay Dirt and The Joelenes. Another album "Freshly Brewed Country" was released in 2009. At the same time Craig had a monthly spot on 3RRR's comedy show "Lime Champions" where he write a song based on a topic the hosts (Justin Heazlewood, Josh Earl and Damien Lawlor) throw at him. He adds "Topics included towels, 3RRR, biscuits and hallucinations".

In 2014, Craig decided to take up the piano-accordion and learnt how to play it quickly. He adds "Now it is my main instrument when I perform, and have written many songs on it. I also do busking with the accordion at many locations around Melbourne, performing traditional Irish, American and Australian folk tunes for the passers by. I continue to do gigs today".


Craig Lee-Smith