Today we’d like to introduce you to Harry Gettings.
Hi Harry, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Inspiring Stories Series – Your Story Section for Starke Lake Studios & Gettings Productions, Inc. With one of the largest and richest tracking rooms in the Southeast, Starke Lake Studios remains a recording and creative environment “hidden gem” only 15 minutes away from downtown Orlando, overlooking the beautiful and quaint Starke Lake in Ocoee, Florida. This well-known industry highlight offers approximately 3,000 square feet of space from the tracking room to the control space alone. Not counting several other recording areas, a conference room, professional offices, a multi-purpose environment, a cozy coffee bar across from the sitting area, and an open piano in the lobby. However, it all started with the production company, which still operates as the overarching entertainment group umbrella—Gettings Productions, Inc. (GPI). Breaking ground for GPI in 1975, the Gettings later opted to fully open the studio space to the public in 1982, once recording demand and interest increased to a sustainable level. Starke Lake Studios would operate under GPI officially while becoming known and loved for its lakeshore views, convenient location, state-of-the-art recording equipment, and ambiance galore. Most importantly, a family-owned and operated team of professional industry experts, all musically gifted.
Since Gettings opened its doors, they have been grateful to have the professional pleasure of working on many genres of music and media, as well as a variety of production clients such as Daddy Yankee. The Pointer Sisters, KC, Sunshine Band, Walt Disney World, Orlando Magic, EA Games, Telemundo’s La Voz Kids, Shaquille O’Neal, Molly Hatchet, and Tupperware—to name a few. No matter the client or project, GPI and Starke Lake Studios always strive to deliver the best service and experience while providing a professional and creative atmosphere, making it easy for everyone to feel at home.
The Backstory
After falling in love with playing guitar and starring as lead vocalist in one of the first rock bands, which headlined at the newly opened Disney World in Orlando. Glen began investigating owning his recording studio for a production company he envisioned operating in Central Florida. At the same time, he met and fell in love with his wife of over 40 years, Kelly Alexis Gettings – originally from a Greek family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kelly took a chance and made the big move to Orlando after receiving news she landed one of the most coveted entertainment roles at Disney World – Kids of the Kingdom. Their mutual love of music, entertainment, production, and the arts confirmed their permanent residence in the Central Florida area as production companies. And large entertainment groups such as Warner Bros. and Disney executives came out of the woodwork nearby needing a high-quality yet convenient and trusted recording studio and production team to manage all types of projects.
Glen remained motivated and focused through these exciting younger years, “moving mountains,” calling up and meeting with acquaintances turned investors to break ground in 1975 for GPI, naturally evolving into a two-folded business years later. With 100 percent positivity, faith, challenging work, and a supportive spouse and team who partnered up, Glen’s dream finally manifested as he managed and set up business development meetings. Kelly dove into everything from creative services to planning and organizing all production and recording sessions and client projects.
Quotes from Glen and Kelly: “We are so glad we love to travel since we would spend the next 35 years flying all over the country and sometimes, the world, to host, plan and execute world-class corporate events, production projects on the go, and more.”
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obstacles/Challenges (Harry’s voice/quotes, speaking for GPI and Starke Lake Studios): Every day is different and challenging regardless of the client or project level. There are moving parts from space maintenance, team communication, recording equipment, booking schedule changes, and client personalities and needs, among other factors. This is an ever-changing, demanding, yet rewarding business, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
All of them, from business owners/practice to artists/creative, etc. We handle all types and sizes of projects and clients for GPI and Starke Lake Studios. Here are some examples: large orchestral recordings, rehearsal space, event rental space, big bands, live concerts, and streaming events, as well as podcasts and other similar services editing, mastering, mixing, vocal tuning, corporate event design, production, planning, entertainment, custom music & more. Corporate event design & production, cost-effective yet still customized and sure to wow all audiences, GPI’s corporate event production services accommodate all organization requirements, sizes, needs, etc. Extra on GPI also with decades of professional experience in corporate event planning, production, design, and creation. GPI remains one of the top industry businesses with the knowledge, client roster, state-of-the-art equipment, and resources to hit a home run for every client.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Where do I start? So many different industries and businesses have experienced different challenges surrounding the pandemic, but we continue to learn and adjust as we go. We knew welcoming back local artists and organizations with those types of clients would be more manageable timewise for us as a small yet powerhouse recording and production team compared to the larger corporate-type accounts. Due to various corporate regulations, new coronavirus protocols, and policies, each client approached pandemic guidelines slightly differently. It was challenging to ensure we executed as promised, communicated, respected their company policies, and remained flexible and accommodating once booked.
After the lockdown settled, it was a blessing to realize the enormous difference we made in our clients’ lives by opening back up and offering high-quality recording studio space for them to return to creatively. However, managing and driving both businesses through such a challenging time weighed on our shoulders. It also made it evident that we must be thankful for realizing how people and other mom-and-pop shops shut down, stressfully moving in other directions and leaving dreams behind for the time being. I am so grateful for this Gettings family business and legacy, living on now through my management, as I learned firsthand all that I know from my parents through their hard work, strong beliefs, and dedication.
Contact Info:
- Website: starkelakestudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starkelakestudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarkeLakeStudios/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/slsorlando
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMl0KwqLFzYlhTAzURXy_ZQ/featured
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/starke-lake-studios-ocoee
Image Credits
All taken by Gettings family or GPI/Starke Lake Studios team members, contractors, etc.
