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Singer, songwriter, survivor Benny DiChiara and his chart-topping indie Christian Rock band, Empowered, have released their new EP, SALT. Louder Than The Music spoke to Benny to find out more about their music.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I had a secular rock band in the early nineties when I lived in New Orleans where I was born. We played the regional circuit–saw stuff I never wanted my kids to see, actually. We would grind that out for several years. A...
Read More Singer, songwriter, survivor Benny DiChiara and his chart-topping indie Christian Rock band, Empowered, have released their new EP, SALT. Louder Than The Music spoke to Benny to find out more about their music.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I had a secular rock band in the early nineties when I lived in New Orleans where I was born. We played the regional circuit–saw stuff I never wanted my kids to see, actually. We would grind that out for several years. A bad divorce and other factors led me to moving away and not touching music for a while. In 1995, I actually found out and knew what it meant to be saved and gave my entire life over to Jesus Christ. The rest, as they say, is history. My NEW history. Then, in 1997 I founded what is now known as the band Empowered. Empowered is an all-original Christian rock band that brings a bold mix of Southern grit, rock energy, and faith-driven Holy Spirit fire to both the airwaves and the stage. With powerful lyrics born from real-life struggles and redemption, we're simply looking to point people to Jesus! We try to deliver a sound that's as unfiltered as our message: Jesus saves, and He does it with power and majesty.
Tell us about your new EP SALT and what the inspiration behind it was?
Last Fall, while we (the band) were ministering in Kentucky in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, SALT was brought into fruition via a prayer over the band by Pastor Travis Spann of Wilmore Christian Church. His prayer over the band went from provision to prophesy right in the middle of it, where he described God seeing us as SALT. He then took the word SALT and broke it down as to what it meant right there in the middle of the prayer. After the service, I thanked him for the vision to name our next project SALT. Not one song on this record is named "Salt," but every offering of a song is in fact that - SALT."
Which is your favorite track on the EP and why?
I believe it's 'The One.' I pray over all of our projects. The Lord told me not to approach this song as the 99 being left, but as being the one that He came for. This parable talks about the shepherd leaving the 99 to look for the lost one. I'd like to believe that the one that was lost was heard bleating, and that's what led the shepherd to it. I know that when I finally gave up everything and called out to Him (for real), He showed up in a mighty way and changed my life forever. If He did that for me, why would He not do that for you?
What message would you like people to take from your music?
The Sermon on the Mount from the lips of Jesus. He's telling us that to get the Gospel message out there, you must ENGAGE. That means talking to people. In 2025, we live in a digital age and everything is at our fingertips. Except maybe a relationship with Jesus. And for those who are seeking an answer, He IS The Way. So, we have to engage others to point them to Him. It's really not rocket science when you think about it. We're prayerfully asking that God will reach people through our music in that way. By us engaging. The music is great, but the message is greater!
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
We are a Christian rock band. We're also not ashamed to say it loud and say it proud. Either God has given us a calling, or He has not. We're not a praise and worship band (although we're praising Him), but we're more a “performance and worship” band. The difference is that we don't have a pastor coming behind us. So if the audience (audibly or in concert) does not feel the love of Jesus coming across the footlights or the speakers, well, we're missing our calling. We often get compared to U2, Daughtry, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Boston, Journey - this in a secular sense. In the Christian-sphere, we get compared to Third Day, Petra, Skillet, a little Stryper, 7th Time Down, Building 429. I think our music is very influenced by 70s rock - my favorite era. Those guys could rock your face off, but you still heard every note and lyric, and their artistry with the music was incredible.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
One of my greatest joys has been to co-write with my producer and artist friend Mikey Howard (7th Time Down/Love Journey Music). He is so easy to relate to because it's all about Jesus first, and the music second. If I could work with another, I'd love to have jam/writing sessions with John Schlitt of Petra. I've followed him from his early days with Head East, heard his testimony (which is the most impressive thing that I've heard from him), and find him to be a great example of what God can do with you if you submit.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Speaking of success, I'd say it's faith. It's simply amazing to me that God loves me so much that I would be healed enough from my traumatic brain injury 9 years ago (still don't have taste or smell), and still get to do what I do for Him. That He would raise me back up like that to be able to perform on stages or sidewalks or meeting rooms or interviews for Him. Success in the world is fleeting; I'm putting all of my stock in eternal life with Him. To me, that's success.
What is your favorite album of all time?
For real - Don't Look Back by Boston. The title song from that album came back to me in a strange and beautiful way after I got saved. It spoke to me about my past life. I know it's a secular song, but the storyline is the same for me. When I chose to live a life change WITH Jesus, or even in my before Jesus life, that lyric of "don't look back" made complete sense to me. My second favorite album is DC Talk's Supernatural. It is even possible to wear out a CD!?!
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
'Your Great Name.' Likely Natalie Grant's version - the passion in her voice just cuts through everything.
What does the rest of this year hold for you?
We just finished our CD Release show for SALT. Next up is the Ichthus Festival in Wilmore, Kentucky, in September. After that, we are scheduled for a festival in DeRidder, LA and then the following week the Louisiana Legends Music Festival just outside of Shreveport in Homer, LA. Both of those festivals are in October. Then in November, we are on tap to play a benefit concert in Muldrow, OK. Then it's onto whatever door God opens up next going into the new year! I think one of THE most important sections of Scripture for us as believers is in Matthew 5:13-20. It's like an open book test of what our mission is here on earth - what we were designed for. We ARE to share the Gospel - not only to those who know it, but to those who do not. Show them the love of Jesus having died for us. Show the world that His sacrifice was for each and every one of us. We just need to let them know and shout it out! And He lets us use music to do it... use your platform.
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Singer/songwriter/survivor Benny DiChiara and Empowered Release 'SALT' EP
Singer/songwriter/survivor Benny DiChiara and his chart-topping indie Christian Rock band, Empowered, have released their new EP, SALT, today, Friday, July 25, 2025, from Slingshot Records. As seen on CBN's The 700 Club…
