Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Phillip Lynch (Dr. Phil Good). We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Phillip Lynch, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I’ve asked myself this question many a time. In some ways I wish that I had trusted myself and listened to myself a lot sooner than I did. Technically I started some aspects of my creative career at a young age, but spent so much time listening to family members or taking on adult responsibilities so young that I compromised a lot of amazing opportunities that I feel may have advanced me further than I am now. I was surrounded by a lot of people who felt that a career in the arts full-time was not a viable option and I tried to placate them. Although I was still making things work and have been a full-time artist since high-school, the pressure to not travel too far away, and the lack of support made it difficult. Now I’m in a place where I’m believing that things happen for a reason, and divine timing is real. There are some things like being a musician, that I actively tried to pursue young but was discouraged and blocked from doing, but now I believe that that fuels the hunger that I have now and aids in how fast I’m able to learn and retain the skills necessary for some of theses new artistic endeavors.
Phillip Lynch, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started my artistic journey pretty young, tagging along with my grandpa to the local theater where he volunteered. That’s where I fell in love with acting and storytelling. Music was always a big part of my life too; I sang in the church choir and even led solos as a kid. I was captivated by plays at the theater, and when I discovered musicals, it was like a perfect blend of my interests in acting and singing. I got involved in school and community theater, loving every moment of it.
High school was a bit of a rollercoaster. I found myself living on my own for a while. One of my many refuges was crashing at a local theater at night and heading to school in the morning. During those years, I also got into rap battles, showcasing my vocal skills and lyrical prowess. I was a secret weapon with some of the crews that I ran with. People even paid me to sing messages for them! That’s when the nickname “Dr. Phil Good” stuck. It just captured how music made me and others feel—good, no matter the song’s mood.
Initially, I saw acting and singing as hobbies, not a full-blown career, that’s what I had always been told. But that changed when I landed a major role in RENT. Suddenly, I was getting paid, housed during rehearsals, and living the actor’s dream. I changed my major to Acting and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in it.
Film came knocking next. I got some solid advice from fellow actors and dove into on-camera techniques with a company in Greensboro called In-studio. In 2016, I stumbled into playing bass for a local go-go band. They needed a bass player for their first gig. Having an ear for music, the songs sounded simple enough to me and I didn’t feel like I would have to play more than a few notes to play the songs. I had just acquired a cheap bass that someone wanted to throw out due to damage that I took to the local music shop and had fixed. I would sing the bass lines and memorize where they were on the fretboard and come to rehearsal prepared. What started as a temporary gig turned into a deep love for the instrument, leading me to tours, music directing, and many more amazing experiences.
I’ve worn many hats—writing, directing, analyzing scripts, singing, you name it. With music and theatre I’ve toured all over in countless productions performed at many, weddings and festivals, and soaked up every bit of artistry I could find. What sets me apart? I’m a perpetual learner, soaking in all aspects of art. And I’ve been lucky enough to support myself by doing what I love for most of my life. In whatever discipline, whether onstage, backstage, in front of the camera, behind the camera, onscreen, in the editing room, performing the music, arranging it, MDing, etc., people feel safe just knowing that I’m in the building and can’t wait to see what I can add to the vision.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
During my recent tour with a theatre company based in Yellow Springs, Ohio, I encountered a series of challenging events that tested my resilience in profound ways.
Traveling across more than 20 states in just 10 weeks with a group of six cast members and a stage manager was already demanding. We performed tirelessly, often presenting two shows per day to audiences totaling over 150,000 children at various performing arts centers nationwide. It was a whirlwind of performances and travel, with little time for rest or personal matters.
Then, on January 29, 2024, amidst our hectic schedule, I received the heartbreaking news of my great aunt’s passing. I was requested to sing at her funeral, which was scheduled on a day earmarked for travel, with no performances planned. Immediately after my show in Chicago, I flew to North Carolina to pay my respects. I only had this day before I would need to meet the cast in Iowa.
The challenges continued as I visited my grandfather, who was in declining health, before the funeral. Tragically, despite medical efforts, he passed away shortly after. The following days were a blur of funeral arrangements, family support, and an unyielding commitment to my tour obligations.
Despite having two shows on Thursday, I managed to handle family matters in Fayetteville and then drove non-stop for 8 hours to Ohio for an evening performance. Exhausted but determined, I rushed back to North Carolina for the funeral, enduring a sleepless journey. Our struggles were compounded by the lack of wheelchair-accessible vehicles, forcing us to improvise and rent a convertible while manually assisting my mother in and out of the car.
After the whirlwind of the funeral and family obligations, I rejoined my cast in New York, driving to Pennsylvania to meet them and fulfill all scheduled performances. Even in the midst of personal loss and logistical challenges, I maintained my professional commitments and provided unwavering support to my family during this incredibly challenging time.
This experience stands as a testament to my resilience, navigating the delicate balance between personal grief and professional responsibilities with determination and grace.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I get so much joy from inspiring others. It’s really special when kids come up to me after a show, telling me how much they look up to what I do and sharing their dreams of pursuing their passions. Or seeing people walk away from my performances with a new outlook on different subjects, broadening their horizons—that’s just incredibly rewarding.
What I love most about the music side of what I do is how my music touches people deeply, stirring up all sorts of feelings, boosting their energy, and reminding them of their love for music and life. Being an artist gives me this amazing chance to encourage folks to be the best they can be, uncovering parts of themselves that might get buried under the day-to-day grind. I feel that music has the power to heal things in you that you didn’t even know needed to be healed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philgoodsessions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilGoodMD
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/philgoodsessions
- Other: https://imdb.me/PhillipSimonLynch
Image Credits
Michael Letterlough Jr. Larente Hamlin Captive Eye Photography