Craig Charles Elkin

September 9, 1961 - October 23, 2025

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Craig Charles Elkin, age 64 of Hermitage, TN, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, due to complications from a long history of a very rare vascular disease and a more recent history of cancer.

Craig was born in Richardton, ND on September 9th, 1961, to Charles Alfred Elkin and Roberta Gayle McNamara-Elkin. Craig grew up in Taylor, a small rural town in North Dakota. Growing up working on the farm, he was able to nurture his innate love of horses, animals and nature. His first horse was named Otter and they had that special bond that only horses can give to their person.

As a young boy Craig loved music, singing, playing guitar, and that passion followed him throughout his life. Music was in his soul, and was his joy, comfort, and connection to life. Craig had that special Irish gift for singing that comes from within and touches the listener’s heart and soul. He was blessed with an excellent ear for pitch and harmonies and loved nothing more than singing with family and friends.

In high school his first band as lead vocalist was with the Vaagen boys. They played in Killdeer and for their friends, family, and had great fun.

Craig followed his love and passion for music after graduating high school and moved to Bismarck, ND. While there he attended college and played with three bands, The Holiday Inn Dockside, Sidestreet, and The Back Behind the Barn Boys as lead vocalist and bass player. A highlight from that time was when Alabama was in town for a concert and staying at the Holiday Inn: three of the four band members came to listen to the Dockside band and joined them on stage for a couple songs. Craig also had the unique privilege to sing with Lawrence Welk’s niece, Linda Welk, while performing at The Holiday Inn. Another highlight was recording an album with The Back Behind the Barn Boys.

Craig left Bismarck and moved on to Claremore, OK to attend Rogers State College to study music before moving to Nashville, TN.

Craig made Nashville his permanent home where he wrote music and followed his heart back to his love of horses and storytelling. He had the pleasure of working for many years at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage where he drove the Wagon Historical Tours led by a team of horses while he shared the history of The Hermitage as a tour guide. Craig loved history and Craig loved those horses. He looked out for them and they loved him in return.

Craig was a horse whisperer and a bird lover. You knew you were blessed if he passed along a turkey feather or a bird feather to you as a gift. He often included a feather with the cards he sent for birthdays. He loved his dogs and he took in a feral cat and named him Blue.

Craig was a dreamer in life and he loved sharing his vivid nightly dreams with anyone who would listen. He was a storyteller, a musician, and a writer. He was a kind, caring, talented, sensitive, loving son, brother, partner, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed.

Craig is predeceased by his father, Charles Elkin. He is survived by his mother, Roberta Gayle McNamara-Elkin, sisters Jeri (Jim) Birdsall, Coree (Boyd) Hofland, Jody Elkin, and brother Ryan (Bobbie) Elkin and his life partner of 38 yrs, Barry Glass.

A private family celebration of life will follow at a later date.

Fond memories, words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be left for the Elkin/Glass family by selecting the "Add A Memory" tab in the link below or by visiting www.HermitageFH.com

Donations may be made in Craig’s honor to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage at https://thehermitage.com/give-form