The CEO of Authenticity: How 'Lil Gary' Built a World on Laughs, Lyrics, and Resilience
- Founder 100 Magazine
- 14 minutes ago
- 6 min read
In the heart of East Texas, where the pine trees meet the open sky, a unique voice is rising above the noise. Gary Phillips Jr. is not a man who can be defined by a single label. He is a poet who captures the raw emotion of the human experience, a comedian who finds light in the darkest of struggles, and a musician who turns hardship into anthems.
Critics have struggled to categorize his unique sound, with one review for his book Lil Gary's World boldly stating: "If Snoop Dogg and Eminem had a love child, Poet Gary Phillips is it."
Phillips describes his craft as "Poemsic"—a genre-bending mix of poetry and music. As he explains it, "It's music that can only be read and a beat that [is] only in your head." This self-proclaimed style allows him to mix memoir with rhythm, creating a "poetry masterpiece" that touches the soul by refusing to separate the art from the artist's life.
Beyond the accolades—which include poetry slam victories and radio contest wins—Phillips is a testament to the power of resilience. As a single father who balanced the demands of raising children with the burning need to create, he has forged a path that is entirely his own.
We recently sat down with the man himself to discuss his unconventional rise from a family fish fry to signing a book deal, and how he navigates the "business" of being a one-of-a-kind artist.
The Interview: Inside the Mind of Lil Gary
How did you get started in your career?
Gary Phillips Jr.: Well when my last kid graduated we had a big fish fry and my kids asked me what i wanted to be when i grew up. lol I haven't thought about it in a long time. I always been the funniest guy i knew so i said i always wanted to be a comedian. So my oldest made me a YouTube page and we called to Dallas to the Backdoor Comedy Club. I sent in a video and got accepted to go. I did really good and was glad my oldest got to see me be funny somewhere other than home lol.
I was too broke to make it every week and couldn't just quit my job of 25 years at the time and move there. So i started writing what i called adult nursery rhymes. Everyone loved them. Along the way i won every poetry slam i entered, won a "poemsics" magazine contest, and a few more. I tried self publishing but was a fail. I was offered a poetry show of my own from the ones i called into and read mine. Did it for about 10 months or so. I was in the top 100 in the World Series of Comedy and got to go to Vegas, where i met a publisher from Colorado. I signed a 3 book deal. First one came out. Havent made much yet but ive bought my whole family one lol. Its like i get 5 back on 30 and a hell of a book at the same time lol.
Was a guest on a guy's podcast. His wife said you got music here. I said prove it. She was right and i paid her to help and now i got about 200 songs that all could be on the radio. The first one i sent in to a Philly station i won first. Over 4000 people called in. Almost up until now... and will tell the rest if you give me a million dollars. lol no ill tell u on the show. Hint.... if broke is sad to u then i hate to tell u it has a sad ending lol.
Many successful businesses prioritize innovation and creativity. How does your company foster a culture of innovation, and what steps do you take to encourage creative thinking among your team members?
Gary Phillips Jr.: Well yall im Always happy to see you for one. I'll hug u kiss u whatever it takes to make you laugh. Then I'll tell u in a very sweet voice that i charge 10 dollars to laugh and u can just pay me when u can. As for my team I just got a new mirror at the dollar store the other day and placed it to the left of my bed! And now counting the one at the foot of my bed that's 2 mirrors reflecting my team of one every glorious morning. So yall better look out lol.
With the ongoing pandemic, businesses have had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. What measures have you taken to ensure the safety of your employees and customers?
Gary Phillips Jr.: Well i stay in the house watching tv until i get another job. Somedays i dont even answer my door lol.
One of the biggest challenges facing businesses today is keeping up with rapidly evolving technology. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technological advances?
Gary Phillips Jr.: Easy one here man. I watch AI horror stories on YouTube. I now know of several robots i will never buy as well as a few i would make my family say, "Well he has been alone for a while." lol.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career pursuit and how have you overcome them?
Gary Phillips Jr.: After 28 years working at Rusk State Hospital i can say its so hard when new people come in and be my boss and i knew they were wrong and keep my mouth shut. I call it being a man. Hardest thing ive ever done.
With the growing importance of sustainability, many businesses are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact. What initiatives has your company undertaken?
Gary Phillips Jr.: I burn my trash and give the metal that's left to broker people than me to scrap for a few bucks.
Tell us a story about a time when you felt like giving up.
Gary Phillips Jr.: After my wife left i decided i was gonna stop being responsible like everyone else is and drive my truck through my neighbor's pasture and keep on going till i wrecked. I only got to the other side of my dirt road. I dont get drunk sitting in my yard in my boat or my truck anymore lol.
Research suggests that successful entrepreneurs often have a unique approach to risk-taking. What's the biggest risk you've taken in your business?
Gary Phillips Jr.: I ran out of gas in Dallas after doing comedy. I knew my gauge was broke and i had been broke but I'm always all in. I'm a Left handed LEO lol.
What's the mission & purpose of your business, & how do you ensure that everyone in your organization is aligned with it?
Gary Phillips Jr.: Man i can sit here and joke about this business I don't have all night but i don't wanna waste all of your time. i will answer any of the rest that pertain to me.
What are some of the latest products, services, and programs you are offering in 2026?
Gary Phillips Jr.: More songs. I got this novel in my head and the main characters are BEGGING ME TO TELL THEIR STORY.
"Raise Your Glass": The Sound of Survival
Phillips' humor is his shield, but his music is his soul. A perfect example of his relatable style is his track "Raise Your Glass." In this work, he gives a voice to the struggles of the everyday grind, toasting to those "broke and hate it" or those who "had to use the cards you were dealt." It is an anthem for the underdogs, blending humor with the harsh realities of life.
Watch the performance here:
Book Review on "Lil Gary's World":
Conclusion
Gary Phillips Jr. is proof that you don't need a golden ticket—or even a working gas gauge—to make an impact; you just need a dream and the courage to chase it. From the quiet corners of East Texas to the global potential of the airwaves, he is determined to let his light shine. He is an artist who has turned his life—messy, beautiful, and complicated—into a masterclass on perseverance. As he looks toward 2026 with new songs and a novel demanding to be written, one thing is certain: Lil Gary's World is getting bigger every day, and we are all invited to the show.
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