Origin stories with guest, Benny DiChiara of Empowered

Today I sit down and talk to Benny DiChiara , the Frontman and minister of the Baton Rouge's Christian Rock Band Empowered!

Singer/songwriter/survivor Benny DiChiara has a powerful testimony of God's mercy and healing that he loves to share. And he has been sharing it all over the world--most recently on national and international media outlets including The 700 Club, Cornerstone Television Network's flagship show, Hope Today, The NRB Network's award-winning TV show Babbie's House, and many more.

DiChiara is the founder and frontman of the indie Christian rock band Empowered, whose latest EP, Three Days, has garnered seven No. 1's over the past year.

In June 2021, the title cut from the band's latest project, Three Days, hit No. 1 on IndieGospel.net's Top 20 Chart. At the same time, "Rock Bottom," the third single from the album, debuted on the same chart at No. 7, making it the third single from the album to enter these charts.

In addition to the band's latest No. 1, their “Listen to the Children” single reached the No. 1 spot on Indiegospel.net's Top 20 chart in December 2020.

Their “Three Days” music video has reached the No. 1 spot on the IndieGospel.net Top 10 video chart three times: in December 2020, January 2021, and again in April 2021. Their “Listen to the Children” music video has reached the No. 1 spot twice, debuting at No. 1 on the IndieGospel.net Top 10 video chart in September 2020 and hit No. 1 again in January 2021.

Songs from the album have also done well on Spotify, with “Listen to the Children” impacting with 93,519 spins, “Three Days” reaching 55,631, “Jeremiah 29:11” garnering 51,370, and “Rock Bottom” already coming in with 53,652 spins. This gives DiChiara & Empowered a total of 254,172 spins from the album Three Days.

A New Orleans native, DiChiara wears multiple hats as a singer, songwriter, businessman, and motivational speaker. Having come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ later in life, the U.S. Navy vet first fronted a secular rock band before surrendering his music to ministry.

When a traumatic brain injury nearly took his life and his capacity to create music, it was his faith that helped him navigate the long, often winding road to recovery. Today, DiChiara puts that experience to use as he shares God's goodness with others through word and song.

DiChiara's band, Empowered, is comprised of DiChiara (lead vocals and songwriting), Shane Madere Jr. (lead guitarist, backing vocalist), Jeff Maddox (bass and background vocals), Mic Capdeville (percussion and background vocals), and Justin Burdette (guitarist and background vocals).

DiChiara and Empowered are proud to contribute to the work of the non-profit organization, Children's Cup (childrenscup.org).

DiChiara has recently landed multiple high-profile media appearances, including The 700 Club, Babbie's House, and Cornerstone TV's flagship show, Hope Today, CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ), and Inspiration.org, among many others.

Three Days was the band's first release since DiChiara nearly lost his life to a traumatic brain injury. His journey of healing makes the accomplishments of 2020 and 2021 all the more significant.

for more in on the band please visit www.rockin4jesus.com