Singer/Songwriter Benny DiChiara Overcomes Incredible Odds to Reach the Top of the Charts
Multi-talented singer, songwriter, and motivational speaker Benny DiChiara has overcome incredible odds to reach the top of the charts with his band, Empowered. "Listen to the Children," the first video from their critically acclaimed 2019 project, Three Days, has debuted at No. 1 on IndieGospel.net's Top 10 video chart, while the accompanying radio single has hit No. 3 on IndieGospel.net's singles chart.
Three Days, which has garnered over 170,000 Spotify streams, was produced by Mikey Howard of 7eventh Time Down and Love Journey Music, who first heard Empowered when they opened for 7eventh Time Down. "I was impressed by their passion for music and their craft," says Howard, best known for “God is on the Move,” his band's No. 1 radio single on Billboard's Christian AC Indicator chart.
"But more importantly, I loved their passion for Jesus!” Howard continues. “It was an honor to work with them on this project."
While Three Days is the Christian rock band's sophomore release - a follow-up to 2012's Soul Cry - it is the first project since DiChiara endured a life-altering injury that threatened to end his music ministry entirely.
In October 2015, he suffered a fall that left him with a concussion and closed fracture of the skull base with subarachnoid, subdural, and extradural hemorrhage. This traumatic brain injury (TBI) could have easily taken his life, or left him permanently incapacitated.
"I absolutely remember nothing from the first month after my injury," he says of his long, often winding road to recovery. "There were memory gaps, speech issues, and walking issues."
Determined to overcome his circumstances, DiChiara threw himself into his recovery, walking hand-in-hand with his Savior to ultimately defy medical odds and reclaim the ministry and purpose for which he was created.
"As I recovered, the injury did not affect my ability to make music," he shares. "I was afraid I would lose that gifting. Instead, He has elevated that gift."
And people are noticing. Since the release of Three Days in late 2019, accolades have poured in.
"When Three Days came out, I was completely blown away. Their sound cannot be described or compared to any other band," says Nicole Brice of Modern Grace Magazine.
"Empowered has a high-quality original sound that resonates with the young, old, and every soul in between," says Shelby Lewis of Miracle 89.1 FM.
The electric energy of each track, propelled by DiChiara's distinct, powerful vocals, piques the interest of anyone within earshot. But it is the powerful message within each song that not only keeps the listener's attention; it makes them think. It dares them to get involved.
Nowhere is that more evident than on "Listen to the Children," which is much more than a song; it's a call to action.
"Society is bombarding our kids with messages that are the antithesis of the Gospel," says DiChiara. "We need to listen to our children so we can hear what the world is telling them, and counter it with the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
Both the song and the message within are striking a chord with Christian radio across the country.
"Empowered brought their song 'Listen to the Children' to the table, and it is right on time. The music is powerful, and I love the message," says Drew Powell from Destin, Florida's WPSM 91.1FM.
"The music is positive, high energy, and has an undeniable love for Jesus in it. The messages within really hit home," says Brian Tucker of Christian Mix 106.
A living testament to the healing power of an all-mighty God, Benny DiChiara and Empowered are proof-positive that, while God's plans are not always our plans, they are always higher and greater. Three Days is an audible, accessible reminder of a sovereign God who not even death can contain.
Today, DiChiara puts that experience to use as he shares God's goodness with others through word and song.
Empowered is comprised of DiChiara (lead vocals and songwriting), Shane Madere Jr. (lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and co-leader), Jeff Maddox, (bass and background vocals), Mic Capdeville (percussion and background vocals), and Justin Burdette (guitarist and background vocals).
