Photo by Anna Zarei (2017)
I am Charles Brock or the “Rock’N Chairman!” Here is a little about me if you care to know.
I have been building fine furniture since 1979. My work includes reproduction and contemporary tables, chairs, beds and chests. I have crafted over 200 furniture commissions for clients who have become friends. Teaching woodworking combines my experiences as a teacher (30 years public schools) and woodworker and is very satisfying. My current work is greatly inspired by the late Sam Maloof, an icon of modern woodworking.
Besides teaching six day, hands-on sculptured rocker classes in my Middle Tennessee studio, I have made appearances on the Martha Stewart Show as well as Popular Woodworking’s annual Woodworking In America Conference. My sculptured rocker and low back chair DVD, book and pattern bundles have sold all over the world helping woodworkers build their “bucket list” projects. I owe a great deal to Highland Woodworking in Atlanta, GA. Chris Bagby (the owner), chose me to teach a sculptured rocker demo class in 2008. Since then we have collaborated on a number of products and projects.
Martha Stewart and Chuck Brock are seen during the production of “The Martha Stewart Show” in New York on Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Photo: David M. Russell/The Martha Stewart Show Besides teaching six day, hands-on sculptured rocker classes in my Middle Tennessee studio, I have made appearances on the Martha Stewart Show as well as Popular Woodworking’s Woodworking In America Conference. I have been published in Popular Woodworking Magazine. My Sculptured Rocker, Low Back Chair, Bowtie and Island Stool Project Instructional Bundles have sold all over the world helping woodworkers build their “bucket list” projects.
As host, executive producer and co-creator of The Highland Woodworker, I am simply adding to the life experiences with which I have been blessed. The show allows me to inspire fine woodworkers by introducing them to the masters of fine woodworking while providing information and resources to enhance their woodworking journey. Under my “The Highland Woodworker” brand and in partnership with Highland Woodworking, we created a new way to teach and learn how to work wood. The Highland Woodworker Online Classes is a growing collection of woodworking classes and teaching videos collected over the past 11 years featuring the iconic woodworkers of our time and a wonderful faculty of woodworkers that are Master Woodworkers and Teachers.
Recently, my wife and I moved our home and shop from my hometown of Columbus, Georgia to Middle Tennessee to enjoy living near our family. When not working wood or developing the show, Originally from Columbus, Georgia I now live in Franklin, Tennessee with my studio close by in Spring Hill. When not working with wood or developing woodworking content, I enjoy spending time with my family. My hobbies include traveling, fly fishing, playing drums, guitar, harmonica, bass, mandolin and dobro.
Anna Zarei is my Administrative Assistant and Content Producer and Editor
Anna brings a wealth of experience to Charles Brock Chairmaker as a videographer, photographer and someone who can get things done. She does all the shipping and administrative duties for the business ,so I can focus my time on new projects and creative pursuits.
Her personal story is one that is very interesting! She was born in Persia (Iran) and was a subject of religious persecution. She studied videography and photography in Tehran. The family escaped back to Turkey where she established her own media business. Her dream was to come to the USA and become a US citizen. In 2008, she was able to get a VISA and moved to the states. She received her citizenship in 2017. She worked as a barber and studied computer science until 2017 when she renewed her passion to work as a media producer and business woman. She is responsible for the outstanding photography and videos all over my website.
I owe a great deal of gratitude to my business manager Anna Zarei for providing the skills I needed but did not have, The Highland Woodworking Show Producer Stephen Price who taught me the art of presenting on camera, and my family for their support. My uncle Farrell Brock showed me that a person could have a vision and make it a reality while my grandfather Grover Jarrell provided me with a fine woodworker’s DNA.
Photo by Anna Zarei (2017)