Craig Melvin has accomplished a lot in 45 years.
The “Today” show anchor and co-host has covered political conventions and presidential inaugurations. He has interviewed Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Nikki Haley, John Kerry, Mike Pompeo and Condeleezza Rice. He has reported on mass shootings and police shootings. He has covered 6 Super Bowls, and 5 Olympics — including the most recent, in Paris.
But, the Westport resident says, nothing in his professional life compares with the honor and satisfaction he feels from the Bottoms Up Invitational.
That’s the 2-day entertainment and golf event he and his wife, Fox Sports NFL and NASCAR reporter Lindsay Czarniak, organize and host each year.
Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak (right) with “Today” colleagues Carson Daly and Dylan Dreyer. at last year’s Bottoms Up Invitational.
This year’s 3rd annual concert/tournament/and more is set for this Sunday and Monday (September 15-16).
It’s dedicated to Craig’s brother, Lawrence Meadows. He died 3 years ago, less than 3 years after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He was 43 years old.
How great is the Bottoms Up Invitational?
Sunday night (6 p.m., Total Mortgage Arena, Bridgeport) features Branford Marsalis, Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Emerson Hart (Tonic), Drew Copeland (Sister Hazel), Edwin McCain (singer, songwriter and guitarist), and Javier Colon (“The Voice”), plus Ray Boudreaux, Eric Paslay, Chris Barron, Perston Pohl, Dan Tyminski, Sean Mackin, Patrick Davis and Lauren Jenkins.
There’s a full concert, plus dinner, an open bar, celebrity mingling, a live auction, and an after-party.
Great music, at Bottoms Up.
That’s just the warm-up.
On Monday (Brooklawn Country Club, Fairfield), golfers spend a day on the course, with a group of celebrities.
They include — in addition to all the performers — Westport actor Stephanie Szostak, Willie Geist, Hilton Carter, Debbe Dunning, Corey Miller, Rutledge Wood, Tyrone Corbin, Alex English, Jimmy Roberts and Dylan Dreyer.
Plus, of course, Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak.
All proceeds go to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. The non-profit advocates for screening, helps patients navigate treatment, and funds research. Craig is a proud board member.
In its first 2 years, Bottoms Up has raised over $2.1 million.
Raising awareness of colorectal cancer is not easy. “People don’t like to talk about colons, rectums, or blood in their stool,” Craig says.
But it’s the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women are combined. It’s expected to cause over 53,000 deaths this year alone.
(I should note here that “Bottoms Up” may be the best name ever for a colorectal fundraiser that also involves an open bar.)
When his brother died, Craig did a couple of segments on “Today.” But he and his wife wanted to do more.
A South Carolina native, Craig knew of Darius Rucker’s “Monday After The Masters” celebrity pro-am golf tournament. Hosted by Hootie & the Blowfish in Myrtle Beach following the annual golf event, it raises millions of dollars for children’s educational programs, and the state’s junior golf program.
“It’s a great idea. I ripped it off,” Craig admits.
The same people who run Rucker’s show do this one.
It’s a win-win, on so many levels. Everyone has a ton of fun — including the post-party karaoke, when “people who think they can sing, actually try to.”
It’s a reunion of sorts for Craig. Plenty of family members attend. This year, for the first time, his brother’s 2 children will speak.
Craig Melvin, Lindsay Czarniak and their children, in their Westport home. (Photo courtesy of WestportMoms)
It even gives an economic boost to Bridgeport. “We wanted to keep this local,” Craig notes. “This is a great venue, and we’re giving back to the community.”
The community is sure giving back to Craig, and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
“I’m amazed at the generosity of friends, strangers, and corporations large and small,” Craig says.
Impressively, nearly everyone who signed on the first year returned last year. Now they’re back for the third event.
The concert, reception and golf outing is more important than anything he’s done on the air, Craig says.
“I know I couldn’t do this without my professional career,” he says.
“But when I’m dead and gone, people won’t talk about a 7:30 a.m. segment I did on the ‘Today’ show.
“I hope they’ll talk about what kind of dad I’ve been, what kind of husband and brother, and what I’ve done with my life.”
And if they drink a toast to Craig Melvin, they’re sure to say: “Bottom’s Up!”
(Click here for tickets, and more information on the Bottoms Up Invitational.)
