Chayse Pannell of Woodstock on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Chayse Pannell shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Chayse, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Well, that’s a loaded question. It really depends on the week. I wear a few different hats so my routine’s a moving target.

I travel a LOT for work. During the week, I’m either teaching students in my studio or giving a speech in another state, and I’m on the road with my band most weekends.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Chayse Pannell. I’m the front man and lead singer of ChiTown Transit Authority, a Chicago Tribute Band. It’s the most challenging and most fun job I’ve ever had. I love making and meeting fans while performing the music I grew up with. I forget I’m technically “working.” When I’m not on the road, I’m in the studio writing and producing original music with some of Atlanta’s best producers. That’s been the dream since day one.

I’m also a public speaker and advocate for the Hemophilia community. I was born with it. It’s a rare clotting disorder which means my blood doesn’t clot. Luckily, medicine has come a long way, and I get to live a pretty normal life. Now, I get to travel the country and share my life story and encourage other hemophiliacs to advocate for themselves. This gig is the most meaningful because I love connecting with other people in my community.

And lastly, when I’m home, I run a private music studio where I teach folks of all ages how to play, write and record music. I’ve been teaching for 15 years now, and watching students go from hesitant to confident never gets old. It’s the best kind of full-circle moment — seeing someone else fall in love with the thing that’s shaped my whole life.

At the end of the day, everything I do — performing, teaching, speaking — comes back to connection. I want people to walk away feeling something, whether it’s from a song, a story, or a single moment of being seen. In the future, my wife and I hope to open a physical location for my studio, a place where the next generation of musicians can grow, collaborate, and fall in love with music the way I did.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
For a long time, I felt like my bleeding disorder was my identity. My whole family was full of star athletes, and I couldn’t follow that path. It was too dangerous with Hemophilia. So while everyone else was out playing ball, I was home figuring out what to do.

That’s when I found music. Or maybe it found me?

I started playing piano at nine, picked up guitar soon after, and by twelve I’d added vocals, bass, drums, and songwriting to the mix. Music became my safe space. It gave me purpose, discipline, and a way to turn isolation into independence. It was a grind that I didn’t have to rely on anyone else for. Something that meant the only thing holding me back was me. I think that’s what trained me to be self reliant and be an advocate for myself.

And learning to be my own advocate shaped everything else. I’ve carried that mindset into everything I do now, whether I’m performing, teaching, or speaking.

So, I think the version of me before the world told me who to be was a kid looking for an outlet that would open more doors. I didn’t want to be complacent and just do what was expected of me in a small town. Music was that outlet and opportunity-maker. And that drive to create, to connect, to carve out my own path… that’s still the core of who I am today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Just one? How about two?

One, your life isn’t just yours. Everything you do affects the people around you – for better or worse. Lead with kindness, even when it’s not returned. Not everyone will understand what you’re going through, and that’s okay. They’ve got their own stuff too.

And two, I’d tell my younger self to listen more. To slow down and really see people. You can learn a lot from just sitting back, watching, and letting life happen to you. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop trying to have the right answer, and just be present enough to hear one when it comes.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. My public persona is really just me with a mic, turned up to max volume. I’m the same guy off stage as I am on it.
I’ve never been one to wear different masks for different people. Even when I’m performing, I try to be as genuine as possible. The energy might be rehearsed, but the emotion never is.

I’ve always had a soft spot for “weird” people — the ones who are unapologetically themselves. Living with a bleeding disorder taught me not to be ashamed of who I am, and being on stage taught me that when you show up fully as yourself, people usually meet you there. Authenticity has a way of bringing out authenticity in others.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me for my kindness. For meeting people where they were and accepting them as they are. I hope they’ll say I believed everyone deserves a fair shot, no matter what hand they’ve been dealt.

And musically, I hope I’m remembered for helping others find their voice. Whether it was a kid learning their first chords or an adult chasing a dream they’d given up on years ago, I hope I inspire musicians of all ages to be more expressive with their art — to write honestly, play loudly, and use music as a way to show the world who they are.

If I can leave behind a trail of people who feel a little braver because of something I said, did, or taught, that’s the kind of legacy I’d be proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chaysepannell.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chayseepuu
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/chaysepannell