News: Empowered playing Louisiana Legends Fest
SINGER/SONGWRITER/SURVIVOR BENNY DICHIARA & HIS BAND, EMPOWERED, TO PERFORM AT 5th ANNUAL LOUISIANA LEGENDS FEST SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025
Chart-Topping Indie Christian Rock Band Will Perform Songs from New EP, SALT, Produced by Dove Award-Nominated Singer/Songwriter/Producer, 7eventh Time Down Frontman Mikey Howard
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 16, 2025) –
Louisiana Legends Fest has announced that singer/songwriter/survivor Benny DiChiara and his chart-topping indie Christian Rock band, Empowered, will perform at the 5th annual Louisiana Legends Fest in Homer, Louisiana, on October 18, 2025.
On the heels of the release of their latest EP, SALT (Slingshot Records), and their recent performance at the 2025 Ichthus Festival, Empowered will open for headlinerFrank Foster, a Claiborne Parish, Louisiana,native and Country music performer whose latest project, ’Til I’m Gone, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Album Sales Chart. Foster is to be honored as the 2025 Louisiana Legend at this year’s festival.
“Our Louisiana Legends Fest entertainment committee was looking to broaden our entertainment for the 2025 event. We were looking for Louisiana talent unlike anything we have had before. Through our research, we found Empowered,” says the Louisiana Legends Fest’s Aloysia Loyd. “As soon as we heard them, we knew that this was just what we were looking for.”
“The band and I are looking forward to being a part of the upcoming Louisiana Legends Fest,” says DiChiara. “We’re excited and humbled to bring some Jesus to this great event!”
In addition to Empowered and Foster, the festival will feature a diverse lineup, including Joyful Spirit (The Terry Smith Family), Sauce’, Babineaux Sisters Band, Muzikology The Band, Leif Shively Band, Firm Foundation, and the Justin Sanders Band.
Louisiana Legends Fest has announced that singer/songwriter/survivor Benny DiChiara and his chart-topping indie Christian Rock band, Empowered, will perform music from their latest album, SALT, at the 5th annual Louisiana Legends Fest in Homer, Louisiana, on October 18, 2025. Pictured: Benny DiChiara. (Gary Governale photo)
Benny DiChiara and Empowered’s new album, SALT, released from Slingshot Records Friday, July 25, 2025. The band is comprised of (L to R): James Sanders (Guitars/BGVs), Benny DiChiara (Founder/Lead Vocals/Songwriter), Mic Capdevielle (Drums/Percussion/BGVs), and Ross Daigle (Guitars/BGVs). (Gary Governale photo)
As seen on CBN’s The 700 Club, DiChiara, the lead singer of Empowered, has shared his dramatic testimony of healing from a catastrophic brain injury with millions around the world via various media outlets and from the stage during the band’s riveting, high energy concerts.
Following the success of their 2023 release, Yahweh Nissi, DiChiara and Empowered have teamed up again with Dove Award-nominated and Billboard chart-topping singer/songwriter and producer, 7eventh Time Down lead singer Mikey Howard, to produce SALT.
With their uncompromised dedication to ministry, their signature crunchy guitars, driving percussion, and DiChiara’s distinct and arresting vocals, the band shows no sign of losing the momentum from their previous two chart-topping projects, Three Days and Yahweh Nissi, which have garnered multiple No. 1 songs and music videos on the indie charts, as well as wide critical acclaim.
Consisting of five cuts: “Go Forth,” “1995 (Reprise),” “The One,” “Throat Punch the Devil,” and “People of God,” SALT Is a perfect album for these turbulent times.
Listen to Benny DiChiara and Empowered’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music. To watch Benny DiChiara’s interview feature on The 700 Club, click here.
For more information on Benny DiChiara and Empowered, visit Rockin4Jesus.comor follow on Facebook (facebook.com/empoweredrocks).
For more information about the 2025 Louisiana Legends Fest, visitlegendsfest.us.
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About SALT:
Empowered’s latest project, SALT, is based on Matthew 5:13, in which Jesus says to His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
Last Fall, while the band was 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,” remembers lead singer and chief songwriter Benny DiChiara. “He then broke it down for us 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.”
“The big thing that God has been speaking to me since the recording of this album is the word ENGAGE,” DiChiara continues.
Benny DiChiara, founder and frontman of the chart-topping indie Christian Rock band, Empowered, channels his powerful testimony of healing in the band’s latest EP, SALT, which released on Slingshot Records July 25, 2025. (Cover design by Mikey Howard and Benny DiChiara)
“Engage with others, even when you don’t know them. Share the gospel with them. Bring them hope and let God give them a future. Know that THIS thing — engaging — is what we were created for!”
“My prayer is that all who hear this record feel the weight of His love, His justice, and His mercy, and to know that we should reflect that as being a part of the light of the world,” says DiChiara. “Go forth, and share His Holy Word!”
Benny DiChiara Talks About the Songs on SALT:
“1995 (Reprise)” (written by Benny DiChiara and Mikey Howard): This song was initially released in 2012 on Empowered’s Soul Cry record. This new version is a reprise of that song, which is basic-and-down-to-it, my testimony set to music. The prayer here is that those who hear it are pointed to the Savior as well.
“Go Forth” (written by Benny DiChiara, Mic Capdevielle, James Sanders, and Ross Daigle): While the basis of the SALTproject is Matthew 5:13-20 (the Sermon on the Mount), God spoke to us about “going forth” and spreading the gospel that is Jesus. This song is a mix of that energy and faith-driven purpose to motivate those who are believers to go forth and do so.
“The One” (written by Benny DiChiara, Mic Capdevielle, James Sanders, and Ross Daigle): “The One” is the lead single. It is based on Luke 15:3-7, where Jesus tells the parable about leaving the 99 to find the lost ONE. No matter the circumstances in our lives right now, God is seeking US right now. This song was offered up not as God leaving the 99 to FIND the one, but us BEING the one. It is a direct correlation to searching out Jesus and realizing that He was there waiting for us to search for Him all along. Press into Him and find His love, mercy, and grace for your life. Just like me, you are the one!
“People of God” (written by Benny DiChiara and Mikey Howard): This song represents that we ARE in fact the people of God. In today’s world especially, Christians need to realize that what the world says is not our reality—it is theirs. We ARE the people of God!
“Throat Punch the Devil” (written by Benny DiChiara, Mic Capdevielle, James Sanders, and Ross Daigle): Have you ever felt like you’ve been under attack from the devil? Ever felt like the devil is coming at you from every front? Well then, this song is for you! Christians should not be afraid to fight back against the attacks of the enemy. We should seek to fight Satan with everything we’ve got. If God is for us, who can be against us?
Benny DiChiara and Empowered’s new album, SALT, released from Slingshot Records Friday, July 25, 2025. The band is comprised of (L to R, Top Row): Benny DiChiara (Founder/Lead Vocals/Songwriter), Mic Capdevielle (Drums/Percussion/BGVs), and (L to R, Bottom Row): James Sanders (Guitars/BGVs), and Ross Daigle (Guitars/BGVs). (Gary Governale photo)
About Benny DiChiara and Empowered:
Singer/songwriter/survivor Benny DiChiara is the founder and frontman of the indie Christian rock band Empowered.
A New Orleans native, DiChiara is also a businessman, motivational speaker, father, and husband. 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.
DiChiara’s band, Empowered, which he founded after giving his life to Christ, has become a staple of the live music scene in their home state of Louisiana, sharing the stage with such powerhouse artists as Switchfoot, MercyMe, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, 7eventh Time Down, Jaci Velasquez, Riley Clemmons, Phil Joel, and Ryan Stevenson.
Empowered is comprised of Benny DiChiara (Founder/Lead Vocals/Songwriter), James Sanders (Guitars/BGVs), Mic Capdevielle (Drums/Percussion/BGVs), and Ross Daigle (Guitars/BGVs).
The band has been gaining traction in the indie music world as their two previous chart-topping projects, Three Days and Yahweh Nissi, have garnered multiple No. 1 songs and music videos on the indie charts, as well as wide critical acclaim.
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 CBN’s flagship show, The 700 Club; Cornerstone Television Network’s flagship show, Hope Today; NRBTV & WATC-TV 57 in Atlanta’s award-winning TV show Babbie’s House; Inspiration.org; nationally syndicated radio show Bill Martinez Live! (airing in 250+ U.S. markets); popular Baton Rouge, Louisiana, lifestyle publication, 225 Magazine; LIFE Today Live with Randy Robison; World Christian Broadcasting; MRG Media; The Meeting House on Faith Radio, and many more.
In October 2015, DiChiara fell and suffered a concussion and a closed fracture of the skull base with subarachnoid, subdural, and extradural hemorrhage. This traumatic brain injury nearly took his life and his capacity to create music, but he astonished doctors with a nearly full recovery. It was his faith that helped DiChiara navigate the long, often winding road to to get back to where he is today.
The healing process turned into a creative season, during which the band’s breakout EP, Three Days, was written. Three Dayswas the band’s first release since DiChiara’s accident and healing journey. It was followed by their powerful EP, Yahweh Nissi, which has made the band’s recent accomplishments all the more significant.
And now, with Empowered’s new EP, SALT, DiChiara continues to proclaim his journey from lost to found, aimless to empowered, unapologetically bold in his faith and the message of Jesus’s saving grace.
DiChiara and Empowered are proud to contribute to the work of the non-profit organization, Children’s Cup (childrenscup.org).
DiChiara lives in Baton Rougue, Louisiana, with his wife Donna.
About the 5th Annual Louisiana Legends Fest:
The 2025 Louisiana Legends Fest in Homer, Louisiana, will be filled with legendary music, food, and history across three stages and 12 blocks from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in downtown Homer, Louisiana.
The event will be headlined by Louisiana Legend and Claiborne Parish native Frank Foster, a Country music performer whose latest project, ’Til I’m Gone, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Album Sales Chart. Foster is to be honored as the 2025 Louisiana Legend at this year’s festival.
“We are excited to announce Frank as our music headliner performing during the event,” says Jack Hightower, president of Claiborne Unite Foundation, which produces the annual festival. “This is the fifth year for Legends Fest and it will be the biggest and the best to date. You will not want to miss this year’s event.”
Louisiana Legends Fest has announced that singer/songwriter/survivor Benny DiChiara and his chart-topping indie Christian Rock band, Empowered, will perform music from their latest album, SALT, at the 5th annual Louisiana Legends Fest in Homer, Louisiana, on October 18, 2025.
Additional music will be provided by a diverse lineup including Empowered, Joyful Spirit (The Terry Smith Family), Sauce’, Babineaux Sisters Band, Muzikology The Band, Leif Shively Band, Firm Foundation, and Justin Sanders Band.
General admission is free. Paid ticket and VIP packages are available on the website.
For more information, visit legendsfest.us.
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