We had the good fortune of connecting with Gary Stephen Brock and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Gary Stephen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For all of my businesses, former and present, it always started with a simple intriguing interest. Sometimes an obsession or passion for the industry and the art of it. Although, necessity has played a major role in all of them.
What drew me to the entertainer coach industry was the sheer fascination I had for the coaches themselves. A fascination I developed over the years I spent touring as a lead singer-frontman for a number of bands. I got into the music industry for my love of music, writing and performing. An obsession I had from a very early age.
Later, after joining my first touring band, I fell in love with the lifestyle, life on the road, and everything that came along with it. And I do mean everything. But the buses… They were just too cool. To the point where near the end of my music career I purchased one of my own.
When my music career was over, I put my bus up for sale. Not long after that, some friends of mine signed to a major label and were going on tour as the opening act on a major national tour. So they asked if they could lease my bus for the tour. Being in the music business, I knew a little about how the tour bus leasing industry worked, so I leased them my bus. Since it was still up for sale. I told them that if someone wanted to buy it, they would have to come out of it and find a new means of transportation. They agreed and left out on tour.
It didn’t take long for my phone to start ringing. Bands on tour tend to cross paths, party together and exchange business information, etc. My phone number had been given out to several bands looking for a bus to tour in. To the point where it prompted me to purchase a second bus. One that I would drive. I drove one bus, while another driver drove the other.
It didn’t take long to realize that driving one bus and managing both buses on the road was not an easy task. So I came off the road, hired a second driver, and managed both buses from home.
Long story short, after learning some hard valuable lessons, and almost completely failing in the industry. I ended up operating over fifteen buses and becoming a prominent company in the industry. Later becoming a founding member of the American Bus Associations, Entertainer Motorcoach Council (EMC). An organization of responsible entertainer coach companies of high quality and professional motorcoach service in North America. But finally, after nearly twenty years of carrying stars from all genres of music, touring broadway musicals and ice shows across the country and parts of Canada. I found myself stressed and burned out to the point where I decided to call it quits.
What do you do after closing down a successful entertainer coach company? I don’t know what most people do, but I know what I did. I followed my heart and my love for the arts and made the transition into the film industry. It was a way to stay in the entertainment industry, and get back to being creative. It wasn’t music, but it was art nonetheless. It seemed like the logical choice at the time anyway… maybe not the smartest choice, but it was the choice I made.
Not knowing much at all about the film industry, where do you begin? What I did know is that the entertainment industry, no matter the art, the business end of it all worked in very similar ways. So, I began with getting my foot in the door by becoming an extra in a number of movie and tv productions. Many you’ve probably seen. That led to a small recurring role as one of Negan’s Bad Guy Saviors in seasons six, seven and eight of The Walking Dead. I was eventually killed off in season eight, but man… What a great experience working on that show. Not only did I learn a lot, but I met a lot of great and talented people, made a number of important connections, and some life-long friendships.
This led to another small recurring role as an FBI agent in season two of Netflix’s hit show, Ozark. While playing an FBI agent on the show, I also became a (when needed) utility stand-in for various guest stars that popped in and out of episodes throughout the season. And this led to many other small roles, stand-in and photo-double gigs for many other movie and tv productions, which include, the movies, Mother’s Day and the sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep. Just to name drop a couple. Every day while on set of any and every production I worked on. My eyes were open. Watching. Taking it all in, and learning everything I could about how to make movies and tv shows just by being there. And while I was working on The Walking Dead, I wrote a pilot for a tv series.
From the time I was a kid, to now, I’ve always enjoyed writing. Whether a song, story, or screenplay, I’ve always had a vivid imagination. Side note, a vivid imagination helps tremendously being an entrepreneur. Thinking outside of the box is crucial. And possessing a vivid imagination is key to thinking outside of the box and solving problems. Now, back to my original point… I wrote a pilot for a tv series… One that I intend to turn into a tv series. (Notice my use of the word, “intend”). I’m going to do this… Whether on a large scale, or a small, independent scale… I’m going to do this at some point in the near future. The show is a southern, twisted, drama called, Suttersville. And it’s filled with tons of shock, awe, and unexpectedness to put it mildly.
After writing the pilot to Suttersville, I promptly formed my production company, Mountain Crest Productions, LLC. Now that the pilot episode (screenplay) was complete. It was time to cast it and find locations to shoot. I filled all the roles with actors I had met and knew from various movie and tv productions I previously worked on… a lot of them came from The Walking Dead.
Next it was time to find filming locations. With the help from one of the cast members, we found a small town in northeast Georgia that was willing to help us out. The mayor even told me that if I were to get funding for the show, they would give us their full cooperation and would basically turn their town into Suttersville for us, while in production. He and the county commissioner both wrote letters stating this.
Now that I had the main cast and initial shooting locations in place. It was time to get funding and start production. They say to never fund your own project, but I had nowhere else to turn, so, with the help of a friend. Between the two of us, I was able to secure enough money to film a handful of scenes from the pilot to make an extended theatrical trailer for the show. The idea was to use the trailer to attract investors to make the pilot episode, and then try and find a home for the show on a network after the pilot was made. But sadly, shortly after making the trailer, the covid-19 pandemic shut the world down, including the project. Stopping it in its tracks… among everything else.
As devastating as this was, I knew I had to figure out a way to keep going. I knew that Suttersville would definitely be on hold, but I had to keep moving forward somehow. So, during the shutdown of the world, I kept busy by creating and working privately on a music documentary that I plan on releasing sometime in the near future. As well as doing a handful of music videos for a local singer-songwriter friend of mine.
Since the covid crash, I’ve been picking up the pieces and diligently building back momentum for Mountain Crest Productions, by working on a handful of documentaries, music videos and television commercials. I’ve also been busy building my streaming platform for Mountain Crest Productions, MCPTV, where all of my future productions will live and everyone can go to view them.
On the side… I’m also in the process of building a new clothing and accessory brand that will operate under the Mountain Crest Productions umbrella, called American Artform. Inspired by all of the great American art forms. So be on the lookout for that in the near future as well.
So to answer your question. What was my thought process behind starting my own business? There really wasn’t any “thought process” per se. Just decide on something. Something you love and are passionate about and start doing it. Just take that first step. Keep moving forward. Ya gotta keep moving forward. No matter what… Don’t be afraid to fail. If you fail? Get back up and keep going. Be persistent. Roll with the punches. Pay attention. Learn by watching and doing. Don’t take no for an answer. Don’t have a plan B. Because, if you have a plan B, you’re going to use it. One thing always leads to another. Just because you start down one road doesn’t mean that it won’t take you to another. You can bet it will. Embrace that.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. I hate that saying. Mostly because it’s true. And that’s what makes life hard. But if you’re doing what you love and are passionate about, it’s all worth it. The hard doesn’t seem so hard. Your accomplishments are more rewarding because of it.
From an early age I was sure I was going to be an iconic rock star. I knew it, and I went for it. Dove right in head first with no regard to any potential dangers ahead. I was fearless. And I’m sure I manifested the success I did have as a touring-recording artist just by the pure passion and desire I had. Although, I didn’t become that iconic rock star. I got a good taste of it, and enjoyed the rock ‘n roll lifestyle for quite some time. And I can honestly say, through persistence and hard work, I made it further than most. And that being said… a handful of my musician friends, and former bandmates actually went the distance and became the iconic rock and country stars I always wanted to be. And now I just proudly live vicariously through them. Funny how things work out.
I thought I found my calling when I got into the bus business. I made a good go of it and was very successful with it for nearly two decades. I’d still be doing it, but my creative side was calling me back. So I put the bus business aside, followed my heart, went with my gut, and made the firm decision to make the change. I just needed to satisfy my creative urges. And that’s what I did.
Again, I really didn’t have a plan. I just went with it. I didn’t really know where it was going to lead. And to be honest, even though I’m not a thrill seeker, the unknown was exciting to me… exhilarating… and scary. But I knew it was something I needed to do… had to do.
My need to be creative. My desire to make art and make-build something great. A great company. Something “worth-while.” That was all I needed. And although the shutdown and after effects of the pandemic made for a rough start with Mountain Crest Productions… My drive is strong… even at my age. Most people would have given up by now. A long time ago. Gone for the eight to five. Not me. I don’t know what “give up” means.
At this juncture in my life… I just want to create… first and foremost for me… and for others to enjoy. That’s what I’ve always done… and it’s what I’ll continue to do. Whether I’m making a movie, tv show, documentary, music video, shooting an interview, tv commercial, or creating clothing and apparel for my brand, American Artform. First and foremost, I’m doing it for me… And I just hope that everyone loves it as much as I do. Because I poured my heart and soul into it… for you.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being from Georgia, I love the outdoors. The mountains, especially. Although, in my younger years the sites and sounds of the city, bars, music venues, night life would have been my go to. I was a bit of a vampire once upon a time. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to revisiting that world on occasion, and I sometimes do… but these days, I prefer a much slower pace. Soak up some sunshine, breathe in some fresh air and just be outdoors in nature.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Mother and Father
Image Credits
Greg Brock
Gary Stephen Brock