In late April 2025, the comedy scene in the Triad area of North Carolina was devastated by the loss of one of it’s most consistent and seasoned comedians, Neil Hoover. He provided a wide array of entertainment and art for over a decade as he became a staple of the community there.
“Neil was such a powerfully positive force, whether it was as a friend or as a creative. Acting, music, writing, all of that and more. I knew him since we were five years old, and reconnected with him when my wife and I moved back into the area in 2015. It was fitting we ran into him after watching the opening night of Episode 7 Star Wars, because as kids we were infatuated with movies and film, in particular franchises like Star Wars and the flow of the universe made sure we were in the same place at the same time, and we picked up right where we left off, working together on and off for years, then we went full force in 2023 until his death.” Said Tyler “Ty Bru” Brueilly, who established the on-stage comedy series “Mighty Comedy Night” with the help of Hoover in 2024.
Hoover and Brueilly, both Asheboro, North Carolina natives struggled to find places to channel their artistic visions, due to the nature of the slow-moving culture therein. That is until 2008 when Asheboro moved past its “dry” status, offering more options in the realms of entertainment and dining. However, it still wasn’t until 2023 when the duo made formal arrangements to bring their combined talents to the downtown scene.
“The time was finally right in 2023, I went to Los Angeles eight times within a year span, learning and getting my feet wet in the film industry and I knew Neil had not only strong experience with comedy in his background but acting as well. We met a few times and I express my vision on including stand up comedy in what would become Asheboro’s first ever film festival of any kind, and he gave me a list of comedians he believed would be a great fit, and he was not wrong.” Brueilly recalls, then continues, “Neil was also in the beginning stages of building COSMIC PANDA, at that time, which was and still is a hell of an idea. A psychedelic, experimental band that crosses boundaries from comedy to music and more. So, we also included them in the opening reception of that festival and we were all off and running from that point on.”
The event took place in January 2024, called MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD AWARDS at SUNSET FILM FESTIVAL and was, as Ty mentioned, the first International Film Festival in their hometown, and was an ignition starter for much that would follow, including Hoover and Cosmic Panda being a large part of Brueilly’s 20 YEARS OF MTTS FESTIVAL.
Brueilly reflects, “We (COSMIC PANDA) were working on a ton of new music and material, as a major component of the 20 year of MTTS fest. It was a beautiful ride while it lasted, and I cherish and relish those moments, ones I promise we will revisit and complete in the future. When Neil passed a month before the event, we didn’t really know what to do or how to handle the four-day event, there were talks about cancelling and I entertained them and considered them, especially during those first stages of the grieving process. I spoke with some of my other close friends, the theatre and of course my wife, and I decided to push through and pivot. I remember the conversations Neil, Jeremy (Nelson) and I were having about the comedy aspect of the festival, and who we would want to be involved. So, I kept it with the original formula once I decided to proceed with the MIGHTY COMEDY NIGHT II segment of the fest, but I wasn’t in a clear mindset to actually direct that, so I reached out to Bobby “BJ” Owens, about directing and organizing, who was not only a class mate of Neil’s and mine, but performed with Neil in Roanoke a few days before he died.”
Owens assembled the original formula for the festival, Seth Payne, TFoxx, Dusty Cagle and himself, in what was a comedy hour, followed by live footage of Neil’s last performance at the Sunset Theatre (November 2024) and some of the music Comic Panda made a week before his death.
“Laughter really is the best medicine. When you can laugh through tears, you’re healing. I had this overwhelming burden of wanting to openly honor Neil in some way. Seeing the other comedians performances, Neil’s art being shared, and sharing my own thoughts and comedy was an incredibly healing experience.” Owens states about the segment.
Neil’s father, Darrell, was in attendance, as well as many friends and fans of his artforms.
Bill “BJ” Cranford brought to the stage incredibly heart-warming stories of his friendship with Neil, while many others spoke privately and emotionally in the lobby, a fitting tribute and honor that took place in the heart of Hoover’s hometown.
