VIDEO – JOYOUSLY –
May 14, 2024 – Daniel Rochelle, Jr.’s father and namesake was a huge influence in his life, his hero and the person who taught him about music. He was a wonderful father but was addicted to alcohol, which caused trauma and fight-or-flight moments that can shape a young person’s life and alter them physiologically. At age 14 and through high school, Daniel began to recognize the depth of his father’s issues.
He decided he would try to live a perfect life through his faith, hoping to influence his parents to get along better and his father to drink less. Realizing his musical talents, he became the leader of a youth worship group, with his home life still tumultuous. Despite his best efforts, Daniel’s plan wasn’t working. His father wasn’t changing.
“My father was a beautiful man. Everyone liked him, but he had his demons,” Daniel said.
Daniel desperately wanted a relationship with his father, so he began drinking to spend more time with his father. They would hang out often, drinking and playing music.
“When we were drinking, it’s like we were best friends,” Daniel said.
