Today we’d like to introduce you to Chaz DePaolo.
Chaz, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child I always new I wanted to be a professional musician. Being the son of a “NYC Rockette/Ballerina” and “Broadway Showgirl” exposed me to many different styles of music as well as witnessing great performers. I was blessed with having the opportunity to see such great entertainers as Yule Brenner in the “King and I” in person as well as other great actors on the Broadway stage. I was fortunate enough to have been influenced by the musical tastes of my older brother’s and sister. ( a small perk of being 1 of 8 siblings) Besides my exposure to B’way showtunes I was listening to late 60s and 70s Rock as well as Pop and Classical music. I was enamored with 70’s singer songwriter’s such as James Taylor and Jim Croce and the Eagles but it was Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors” album, the gift I asked for on my 12th birthday in 1977,that cemented my musical fate. I bought my first acoustic guitar on my 16 birthday and on my 17 birthday I walked several miles to buy my first electric guitar. In the 80’s, I pursued the music of the decade being “Heavy Metal ” while wanted to pursue a classical guitar degree in college as well. Unfortunately, I sustained an injury to my right thumb that hampered my ability to play guitar and I was forced to pursue another degree being that of “Music Business.” Having interned at major record labels such as EMI and Blue Note, it was this exposure to the “business side of music” that provided me with the tools that one day I would use to pursue my own career in music. After obtaining my Music Business degree, I was employed by several record labels most notably being Priority Records. Priority Records in the 90’s was the most prestigious RAP/Hip Hop Label in the world with a roster of such artists as Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Ice Cube, and Jay-Z to name a few. My duties included sales, marketing and setting up instore signings as well as Radio Promotion. As I was working full time in the industry I had met with several Dr’s who all told me I could never play at a professional level due to my hand injury. I finally met a physician who developed a treatment plan that would give me the ability to beginning playing again. I believe this experience in my life was an amazing gift that provided me with resilience and fortitude to pursue my passion of music as well as to navigate the trials and tribulations of my life. As my hand injury began to heal and I was able to play proficiently, I started writing songs and recorded and released my first CD in 1999 and started to perform Internationally that same year. I had released my first CD on my own label. The skills I had learned from being an intern and later working in the industry provided me the abilities to create my future as a musician and a performer. Fast forward to the present: I have been inducted into “The Blues Hall Of Fame”, been featured on the BBC, performed guitar duties for Leon Hendrix (Jimi’s brother) on a 6 week European tour as well as having performed in several countries to support my own CD’s . I have performed with the likes of Buddy Miles, Jose Feliciano, Bernard Purdy as well as Commander Cody. I have been featured in magazines as well as obtaining several musical equipment endorsements. I never gave up hope that one day I would attain my dream and what I believe was my destiny.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Pursuing my dream was not a smooth road. A major obstacle that I encountered was the hand injury that occurred in my early 20’s. This injury prevented me from playing at a professional level for several years as well as having a college guitar professor who did not believe I had the injury and was also quite adamant that I actually had no talent. This was another impediment that was hampering me from pursuing my dream and what I feel was my life’s purpose. Unfortunately, addiction ran in my family and had actually taken 3 of my siblings. My brother and sister passed away in 1974 at the ages of 16 and 18 within a span 3 months. I was 8 yrs. old and carried the burden of being the last one in our family to see both of them alive. I had my first drink at 10 years old and had witnessed alcohol abuse at a young age by several members of my family possibly setting me up for my own path of addiction. By the late 90’s I had began drinking quite heavily and in 2002 was told by a physician I need to quit drinking or in 4 to 5 yrs. I would develop cirrhosis, a disease which took my 3rd sibling at the age of 47 who also suffered from addiction. On July 26, 2002 while on tour in Ireland I began my sobriety journey. I am now coming up on 22 years sober and what a 22 years it has been. In December of 2022 we lost our home, all of our possessions as well as our dogs to a fire. Nothing can prepare you for an enormous loss such as this. I wake up everyday and try to find the blessing in this tragedy. Little did I know the fire was burning in the walls in the garage beneath me while I was home that afternoon. I just happened to decide to leave the house to get a cup of coffee and as I opened the garage door it fed the flames as I drove away. I believe all your past challenges prepare you for your future ones. The blessings were enormous. People gave us a place to live, clothes and various donations were made so I could purchase new instruments so I could start performing again. I look at this horrific event as being a catalyst for a new beginning. Native American’s perceive fire as cleansing and rebirth which have come to believe is true.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am guitarist, vocalist, song writer and performer. I specialize in Blues/Rock songs and instrumentals though I do write in other musical styles and genres. What I am most proud of is that I kept performing through all of my trials and tribulations and through my recovery from addiction and trauma. I am not sure what sets me apart from others but I do believe my resilience and tapping into it is what has provided me with an edge and drive to pursue my musical dreams and aspirations.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe my had injury was my lucky charm. If I had experienced any success in my musical career as a younger man I probably would not have survived my addiction to alcohol. I feel strongly that my injury kept me from touring until I was actually able to handle the rigors of the road and the temptations that come along with being a touring artist/performer. I also believe my trials and tribulations as well as traumas supplied me with insight into suffering and the human condition which are so engrained in my song writing process. I have written songs based on my own difficulties or witnessing those of others. I have compositions that formed just from conversations I have had such as when travelling. Many answers to my life were obtained on public transportation while on tour or chance encounters. Angels that were sent to me and possibly I was sent to others to share seeds of knowledge or possible solutions to problems or maybe a different perspective. I believe it is the experiences which helped me to create and express my vision of life, hope and perseverance through my songs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chazdepaolo.com
- soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/chazdepaolo
- Other: www.reverbnation.com/chazdepaolo
