Life & Work with Cole Gentry of Eagle Rock

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cole Gentry.

Hi Cole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from a small town in North Carolina called Mount Airy. If you’ve ever heard of The Andy Griffith Show, then you’ve heard of Mayberry, which is based on my hometown! Even today if you visit Downtown Mount Airy, you’ll see the relics of the show infused in the city. You’ll see a Barney impersonator driving around in an old cop car, Opie’s candy store and little glimpses of our claim to fame scattered throughout. Weirdly, I think being around all of this small town fame encouraged the choices I made for my college and eventually what I decided to do as my career.

Growing up in a southern small town as a gay kid.. I knew that I wanted to do something more with my life. With that, I left Mount Airy for a little town in Ohio called Yellow Springs to attend a small liberal arts school known as Antioch College. I would call this home for the next 4 years.

I really give Antioch and Yellow Springs so much credit for putting me in a bubble that taught me so much while giving me some of my closest friends that I still am connected with today. It really had me challenge on what I thought I knew about the world and gave me an outlet to make mistakes that I learned from. I explored what little I knew about my sexuality, others’ sexuality, race, gender, politics.. and ultimately how I experience the world may not be the same as a person of color, a trans person, a woman, etc.

I have always been a bit of a creative and socially active, so I eventually landed on studying Performance Art as my major. My art was an intersection of drag, identity, and activism while using multiple mediums to not only show these themes, but start a conversation of how the world around us affects our every day life as an individual. I had the best group of friends who helped shape these pieces as well as incredible professors like Gabrielle Civil, Louise Smith, and many others.

Since 2017, I move from Yellow Springs to Los Angeles to be with my now husband of 2 years (together for almost 9!). After a couple of odd jobs, I got my start in social and digital marketing on the first season of American Idol on ABC. Stayed there for another year and then found my current job as a Creative Marketing Manager at Teammate Company where I’ve been for the last 6 years. I’ve found myself doing things I’d only could dream of growing up in Mount Airy like working with the Jonas Brothers and countless other favorites like Demi Lovato, Christina Aguilera, Sam Smith, Nicole Scherzinger, Julia Michaels, and so on.

It’s so funny, writing this now reminds me of a phone call my Nanny and I had the other day. It has been a while since we’d spoke and so I was catching her up on work. I’m currently in NYC shooting content with Sam Smith for their residency and she said “Wow… you really are just out here living your dreams aren’t you?”. It’s one of the most beautiful reminders that you can make your dreams a reality.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest struggles that I’ve noticed and continue to try and overcome is standing in my own way. If that’s overthinking or even comparing myself to what others in my field are doing. It’s a constant battle, but as a reminder to myself and anyone else who struggles with this.. BE YOURSELF. Let what’s meant for you, come to you and have fun while you do it. The art or content that you end up creating is going to reflect this constant anxiety of “is this good enough?” / “what if they don’t like it” and countless other negative emotions, but don’t let your inner saboteur win. Conquer them!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m currently the Creative Marketing Director at Teammate Company. With my work, there are two lanes that make up my job.

First off, I’m a manager. Helping those who want to be in the music industry and work within the social and digital space. Teaching them what I’ve learned over the years and how to navigate community management as well as building the relationship with the artist. Our job isn’t easy and not everyone can do it, so it’s ultimately my job to give them the tools they need and they have decide on how to use them with their roster of clients. Secondly, I create content and help strategize on how it’s presented to the fans on socials. This ranges from behind the scenes content, live show content, TikTok videos, etc. Whatever we need based on what the artist’s goals are for what they have coming up!

The goal for myself and our manifesto at Teammate is digital storytelling across the internet that focuses on creating meaningful connections with the artist and their fans and hopefully making a meaningful impact on the world. Which I think really does set us apart from the traditional social/digital agencies that are out there.

If I had to pick something I’m most proud of it’s really the relationships I’ve been able to cultivate with artists and even professionals I’ve had the opportunity to connect with during my 6 year career. If you have a team of people on your side willing to fight for and with you, then that’s really all you need!

What matters most to you? Why?
There are so many ways to answer this question! So I’ve compiled a list… and I’m sure I’ll kick myself once I think of more on my walk to get my breakfast burrito!

Self care – if that’s being with loved ones or pampering yourself

Treating others the way you want to be treated – it’s something that really can set you apart from others in a professional or even personal setting

Finding the joys in life that make it worth living – this explains itself and I’m learning that life is short, so you might as well live it while having fun

Kindness – something that I think has been missing in this big year of 2025.

Create to create – No matter if it’s good, bad, ugly.. as long as you’re doing it you will keep getting better. This works for whatever jobs/hobby you have. Just DO IT!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teammatecompany.com/home
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mtcgentry
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtcgentry/

Image Credits
Cole Gentry 🙂 (for all)