Richard Rawlings of Dallas owns a humble mechanic shop called Gas Monkey Garage. Rawlings’ mechanic skills and larger than life character are not the only things he has going for him. Both he and garage associate Aaron Kaufmann are the main characters in Discovery Channel automotive show ‘Fast N Loud.’ When it comes to describing himself Rawlings is a lot more complimentary than when he is referring to his garage and television partner. “Aaron is a real a** hole dirtbag,” when asked about their real-life personalities. “I am a very down to earth guy and can talk to anyone,” Rawlings said. “I’m not stuck-up or a snob although both of us can get a little opinionated,” he laughed. From Rawlings’ coiffed hair and signature gray goatee to Kaufmann’s ZZ Top-like beard, both the guys are pretty comfortable in their own skin in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
“Aaron and I have been working together for eight and a half years and with us what you see on TV is exactly who we are. We haven’t had acting lessons and when we are filming we are in it 100 percent. The boys each have their own signature styles. “We do not wear make up, Aaron has been growing the beard for a couple of years, and I got stuck wearing the goatee - I also have a little more gray hair than I wish I had,” Rawlings joked. The boys unique characters are seen on the show which is filmed seven days a week - and they are on a tight schedule.
This show is, “A whole heck of a lot harder than I thought it would be when I first created my business plan over eight years ago,” Rawlings said. “It’s long hours and it’s pretty impressive that we are able to get everything done at a very fast pace.” From the time the cars are usually delivered to the shop to when they are restored is within two weeks. With ‘Fast N Loud’ Rawlings would like the program to show more of the work that goes into the restorations and rebuilds, but for the sake of time it is completely impossible.
When Rawlings first decided he wanted to have his shop featured on television it was during the time when Jessie James was originally on the air. “I was pushing every day and calling everybody I could meet and preach my sermon to,” he said. Eventually Rawlings’ persistence paid off until the economic crisis hit and his TV deal was then called off. “So it fell through, but I didn’t give up mainly because when I say I’m going to do something I never give up,” he added.
Eventually things started looking up and a television opportunity came knocking on his garage door. During negotiating for the show, “the producers wanted to film it in California because it would be easier – however I was adamantly against it and wanted to keep it in my hometown, Dallas” Rawlings said with pride. “I’m glad that I won that battle.” In case you have not seen ‘Fast N Loud’, the show takes place in a regular automotive garage and that is the way Rawling’s wants it. “We are a poor man’s working shop and have a small garage. We work with our hands, and don’t have a three million dollar facility (like some places) where everything is brand new and at our disposal.
The auto star hopes his auto ‘digs’ and adventures encourage viewers. “I want people to be motivated to get off the couch and want to go work on their old Trans Am that has been sitting in their garage. They need to see that they can do it (work on cars and have a blast doing it) too. I really want them to get out there, have some fun, and even teach their kids (how to fix up cars),” Rawlings enthused.
So what’s next for the ‘Fast N Loud’ shop and crew? Gas Monkey met with the public and unveiled one of their latest rides at Addison’s ‘Kaboom Town’ fireworks display at Addison Airport for Independence Day. "I am also working on maybe becoming a Miller Light spokesperson (the boys are well-known for their love of the brew on their show), and we are planning on popping into some Fast N Loud (watching) parties all over the nation – as long as they have pizza and Miller light,” Rawlings exclaimed.
With everything going his way Rawlings seems to be at a high and interesting point in his life. “I’m definitely not the most interesting man in the world (in reference to the Dos Equis icon), I’m more like his illegitimate son-in-law,” Rawlings laughed.
