Daily Inspiration: Meet Philip Mazzio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Mazzio.

Philip, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first started playing guitar when I was about 11 or 12 years old. I really wish I knew a more exact time frame, but I know I was about that age. One of my older sisters, Nicole, was actually learning guitar before me, and one day my dad asked me if I wanted to watch a lesson to see if it interested me. After the lesson I decided I’d give it a shot, but I really wasn’t all that excited about it. It’s crazy to think how close I was to not picking up the guitar at all. It wasn’t until I heard Randy Rhoads blow my mind on Ozzy’s first two solo albums that I really fell in love with the guitar and was driven to learn. Now, about 16 guitars and 10 years later music has become my main passion in life!

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?
My musical journey has been very dynamic. I always tell my students or people I know who are getting into music that “if you want to learn to play the guitar (or any instrument), its never gonna happen. You are only gonna get better at it.” That being said, I’ve learned to love learning and improving my musicianship. While this remains true most of the time, much like any other musician on the planet I’ve experienced roadblocks, struggles, and ruts. From something as simple as my throat being too scratchy to sing, or being completely unmotivated to practice or stagnant in my progress, there’s all kinds of struggles along the way. About two years ago I was in a very dark place in life and especially with my music. My high school band, The Damn Kids, had ended and I didn’t really know where to take my next steps. I had formed a few bands and done a few gigs, and resulted in nothing I was proud of. I started playing a lot of acoustic gigs by myself, which was better then nothing and while they made me a lot better I still wasn’t where I wanted to be. Fast forward to now, I got over that bump in the road and recently got to play my music in Memphis Tennessee on the same streets all of my hero’s made the soundtrack of my life in. I’ve also been playing at least 3-6 times a month, and each gig I can see the jump and I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had playing music.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When I’m not on the stage with a huge hunk of wood strapped to my shoulders, I’m pursuing a career in healthcare as my plan B. After this fall semester I’ll be applying to nursing school, then after that I’m aiming to become a nurse practitioner. I currently work at Honor Health as a nurse assistant in Emergency Department at their Shea location. Just like the guitar, medicine gives you endless circumstances to learn from. Each day, patient, code, ect. is different. I’ve always learned best from just being thrown in the fires and all the hands on experience I get in the ED has taught me a lot. Just like all the times someone has thrown a song at me on stage and all I know is the key, I get thrown into many situations I never would expect and it’s always in those moments I learn the most and shine.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I’ve been very fortunate to grow up with an amazing childhood, so it is super had to narrow down one childhood memory. I’ll never forget the day my dad and I planned to play hookie from school and go “look” at guitars. We went to the acoustic zone of guitar center where I played my first ever Martin guitar. It was an HD28. I hit one G chord on it and my eyes went wide and my dad and I looked at each other, both blown away at the sound this thing produced. We went to a few other guitar stores and got lunch, and went back to that guitar center to look a little more. I immediately wanted to play that same Martin again, and was just so happy to have played a guitar of that caliber. A little while later a worker came in, and I go to hand him the guitar back to put away, and he hands me a Martin owners manual. I was confused and asked him “what’s this?” My dad then answered “It’s for your new guitar,” and then another worker came in with the hard shell case and opened it up for me. I was in disbelief and started crying. Many years later, that same guitar would take me all the way to Beale Street in Memphis. While it may have more scratches and dings then it did the day I got it, I still haven’t ceased to be amazed by the quality of the instrument, or forgotten the amazing memory.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fordmazzio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philip_mazzio_music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philip.mazzio.2025
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@FordMazzio
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@philip_mazzio_music