Santa Maria musician and artist Joe Chavira has a philosophy he likes to lay on beginning musicians: “The best way in life is just teach yourself everything.”
And he has. After learning guitar from his father at the age of 7, Chavira went on to teach himself piano, drums, and just about every other instrument. He’s written more than 400 songs, including tunes for a Universal Studios stage show, BMW, Mercedes Benz, and a Unity Telethon. His efforts have resulted in his resent appointment as Santa Maria ambassador for the upcoming 25th Unity Telethon and the completion of his latest album, Chavira, set to release in two weeks.
“It all sort of just happened suddenly, like the crack in a dam,” he said. “Then it just came rushing out.”
That rush started with a chance meeting with Merrell Fankhauser, who penned the song “Wipe Out.” The two met and hit it off, and when Fankhauser learned of Chavira’s musical talents, he signed him to his Ocean Records label. Chavira in turn invited Fankhauser to perform on Unity Telethon.
Shortly thereafter Chavira completed the album Chavira and was also named Santa Maria ambassador for the telethon for this year by Tom Reed, executive director for Unity Telethon.
Chavira’s first single, “Heaven’s Eyes,” is currently getting nationwide airplay, he said, giving credit to Fankhauser.
“It’s just getting incredible reviews, especially in Hawaii, because of [Fankhauser],” Chavira said.
The album was influenced by a variety of musical genres. The inspiration for the songs came from diverse places as well. “Today” is a tribute to his father, who passed away just more than a year ago and is a thank you for all he did in Chavira’s life. Then there are songs like “Destiny,” which is about reaching life goals.
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“Just like Baskin Robbins, it’s a 31-flavors album,” Chavira said. “There’s a lot of stuff in there, not just one style.”
Chavira got his start in entertainment as an artist with his comic strip Two Toes. Then fate began to draw upon his skills as a musician.
He said the Unity Telethon has a place in his heart because it’s such a spectacular event for such a good cause.
“First, you are performing on television, and it’s a blast,” he said. “Second, it’s a blast to perform with all these celebrities. And third, you get to help clothe and feed all these kids.”
To date, he’s performed 20 original songs over the last 10 Unity Telethons and has raised more than $16,000 in pledges from Santa Maria business owners.
When he’s not performing or raising money, you can find Chavira in a movie theater. He said watching movies is his release and allows him to think with a clear head. It also provides fodder for his lyrics. He said he can be inspired by a love story—good or bad—and he’ll often bring a notebook with him to the theater and scribble notes in the dark. For Chavira, songwriting allows him to influence people in a positive way, and that’s a reward in itself.
“If something you write can pull someone out of a bad mood, like homemade cookies, and make them feel good, that’s a powerful thing,” he said.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone likes homemade cookies. Send them straight from the oven to scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 3, 2011.
