Meet Rich Gunderlock | Musician and Band Owner/Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rich Gunderlock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rich, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was a school teacher for 20 years, teaching elementary school music. At the same time, I was regularly playing music professionally, as a solo artist and also with my party band The Retreat. I was growing more and more frustrated with the the business of public school teaching, and I was making a lot more money playing music, so transitioning into playing music full-time was an easy decision.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a musician, I am a jack of all trades, and I attempt to be a master of them all. I have always enjoyed playing multiple instruments so I have the ability to record a full band by myself. I play saxophone, guitar, piano, drums, and sing.

In my solo gigging career, I am a unique one-man-band so I can offer live music venues something unique and special, compared to the average solo guitarist or keyboard player.

As a band manager, I have the ability to produce and arrange the band, leaning on my knowledge and expertise on all of the different instruments in the band.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I call Atlanta home, I am going to describe my town.

There are so many great restaurants in Atlanta, and I’m such a foodie, I have to pick one for each meal of the day.
Breakfast: Home Grown – for a Comfy Biscuit
Lunch: Zunzi’s – for a Godfather sandwich
Dinner: Little Sparrow – for French Onion soup and the best burger in the city.

I’m a huge Braves fan, so we’d have to go to a game and hang out at all the great spots at the Battery.

For live music, Eddie’s Attic or Smith’s Olde Bar

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?
I have to give a shoutout to my wife Monica Gunderlock, owner of Strike a Pose Atlanta Photo Booths and Photography. Not only is she a great encourager and sounding board, full or support and sound advice, she is also a fellow self-employed business owner. So, it’s awesome to be in this same journey with my best friend.

Website: www.richgunderlock.com

Instagram: instagram.com/richgunderlock

Linkedin: Rich Gunderlock

Twitter: richgunderlock

Facebook: facebook.com/richgunderlockmusic

Youtube: youtube.com/richgunderlock