R.I.P. Parker Smith

[Scarlet&Gray]

Sad news prayers go out.
By David Carroll

[e-mail]

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB)- Parker Smith was the Chattanooga radio personality most likely to elicit this response from his listeners: "Did he really say that?"

Smith was a local product who spent more than two decades entertaining, informing, and occasionally enraging listeners (as well as his beleaguered bosses). He often shared stories of attending McCallie School, working at Lake Winnepesaukah as a youth, and his hard-partying lifestyle. He had been in declining health in recent years, and died Wednesday morning at the age of 48.









www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12927622

[TNBear]

It was not long after I moved to Chattanooga that I realized Parker was too cool for school.

[Tsavodiner]

Condolences to brother Greg, the Smith Family, and his many loyal fans.

"One of a Kind".

[Police Moderator]

Damn. Hate to hear that.

RIP, fellow trouble maker.

[captaineric]

RIP.. probably my favorite local radio personality ever.. definitely made me laugh harder than any other.

[BlackFox]

There's a man who leads a life of danger
To everyone he meets he stays a stranger
With every move he makes another chance he takes
Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow

Secret agent man, secret agent man
They've given you a number and taken away your name

Beware of pretty faces that you find
A pretty face can hide an evil mind
Ah, be careful what you say
Or you'll give yourself away
Odds are you won't live to see tomorrow

Secret agent man, secret agent man
They've given you a number and taken away your name

So long Parker. R.I.P

So it goes.

[Warkitty]

I'm so sad to hear this. Condolences to his family, friends and fans.

[BlackFox]

I heard Kevin West is planning on having one last "meeting" on Parkers behalf. If anybody hears anything, please post it. I'm not a big Twitter follower.

[Scarlet&Gray]

I heard Kevin West is planning on having one last "meeting" on Parkers behalf. If anybody hears anything, please post it. I'm not a big Twitter follower.

Another tribute to Parker in my 7:30 newscast. #TalkRadio1023. Your favorite memory - the trip to Gilligan's house? Sing Like An Oriental?
about 8 hours ago via web

This was this morning. Might be on podcast on their site. If I get anymore tweets about this I will post.

[BlackFox]

Aug 5, 2010 14:17:34 GMT -5 Scarlet&Gray said:

I heard Kevin West is planning on having one last "meeting" on Parkers behalf. If anybody hears anything, please post it. I'm not a big Twitter follower.

Another tribute to Parker in my 7:30 newscast. #TalkRadio1023. Your favorite memory - the trip to Gilligan's house? Sing Like An Oriental?
about 8 hours ago via web

This was this morning. Might be on podcast on their site. If I get anymore tweets about this I will post.

Yea, I think there's a Tweet from earlier today in which he specifically mentions it, and I heard him mention it on the air this morning.

[Fatally Yours]

Aug 4, 2010 20:32:46 GMT -5 Police Moderator said:

Damn. Hate to hear that.

RIP, fellow trouble maker.

Ditto.

[blaileigh]

Oh how I use to love to listen to Mr. Parker Smith on the Radio. Parker use to tell about his days visiting the Tikki Hut and of course one day he was fired and the next day he would be back at work.....RIP

:-/Please post your favorite story of Parker.........or anyone has the tribune on wgow please post

[Scarlet&Gray]

Funeral service private no visitation per a tweet from David Carroll Channel 3.

[emanon]

Aug 5, 2010 12:17:22 GMT -5 BlackFox said:

I heard Kevin West is planning on having one last "meeting" on Parkers behalf. If anybody hears anything, please post it. I'm not a big Twitter follower.

This is in the letters on the Chattanoogan, Chip Chapman's letter. Hope it is okay to copy the excerpt here.

www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_181303.asp

In his memory, some friends of Parker will hold a "meeting" at Rumors Lounge on Hixson Pike. The "meeting" will be on Tuesday, August 16, beginning around 4 p.m. and lasting until whenever. Parker stories will be told. Budweiser in the can will be consumed. And someone who truly made his mark on Chattanooga will be honored. Regardless of whether you knew him or worked with him or simply admired his talent, you are all invited to attend. Members of his family will be present. The name of the get-together is "Elvis Is Dead And Parker Ain't Feeling Too Good Hisself." If you have to ask what a "meeting" is, or what the Elvis connection is, you're invited to attend anyway. You'll find out then.

[HalfBrit]

Hope to be there for the meeting. Knew Parker from our college days. He was always a bit of a wild card, but also always an original. I'll miss him.

[BlackFox]

Aug 6, 2010 8:54:00 GMT -5 emanon said:

Aug 5, 2010 12:17:22 GMT -5 BlackFox said:

I heard Kevin West is planning on having one last "meeting" on Parkers behalf. If anybody hears anything, please post it. I'm not a big Twitter follower.

This is in the letters on the Chattanoogan, Chip Chapman's letter. Hope it is okay to copy the excerpt here.

www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_181303.asp

In his memory, some friends of Parker will hold a "meeting" at Rumors Lounge on Hixson Pike. The "meeting" will be on Tuesday, August 16, beginning around 4 p.m. and lasting until whenever. Parker stories will be told. Budweiser in the can will be consumed. And someone who truly made his mark on Chattanooga will be honored. Regardless of whether you knew him or worked with him or simply admired his talent, you are all invited to attend. Members of his family will be present. The name of the get-together is "Elvis Is Dead And Parker Ain't Feeling Too Good Hisself." If you have to ask what a "meeting" is, or what the Elvis connection is, you're invited to attend anyway. You'll find out then.

Well, I'll be there, but could someone clear up the date? There is no Tuesday, August 16th.

[Babs]

Detail freak! Whenever it is, we will be there! Should be an interesting group of people. What's that movie out now about a guy who fakes his death so he can attend the funeral party? I believe Parker might be there "in spirit".

[Kordax]

Was glad to be able to sit down & talk, one-on-one, with Parker a couple of times ....

Never understood or appreciated his approach to Talk Radio & had hoped to be able to talk with him more; sad for his family & friends.

[naturedude11]

Kudos to David Carroll for his nice essay on Parker. I read the whole thing. David's a class act.

[mikeydokey]

Okay! I can't stand it anymore! Parker once told a story while he was at 96.5 "THE MOUNTAIN" about how he was completely snubbed by his good friend David Carroll while he was at a Democratic Fund raiser's party, and you could tell he was hurt by the snubbing, so if it makes David Carroll feel better by writing a "Nice Essay" about Parker then so be it. Truth is, Parker Smith is and will remain the "Chattanooga Talk Show Host" that all others will be COMPARED TO AND JUDGED BY. So far all the others have been judged and found lacking. This includes THE JAMMER, GARY (the fool) POOLE (as described by the jammer), and Robert T. NASH (who is rumored to be starting a radio show on "The Pulse" in as early as late Sept or early Oct. All of these lack in comparison to the late, great Parker Smith and forever will.

[Babs]

So when is the good bye party? Today, the 16th, or tomorrow, Tuesday?

[Babs]

I called Rumors. It's today, starting at 4.

[Babs]

Nice gathering!