Reid Chancellor, a nationally known comic author and musician, will visit the Daviess County Public Library on June 28 to talk about his newest book and to perform live music. Known for his unique blend of punk rock influences and personal storytelling, Chancellor’s event promises to engage fans of comics, music, and mental health awareness alike.
Chancellor has lived in Owensboro for 8 years, having moved here after frequently visiting the city while dating his wife. Both originally from Evansville, Indiana, the couple fell in love with Owensboro’s riverfront and vibrant community.
“I guess we really just enjoyed the city,” Chancellor said. “We were coming over all the time, and it kind of stuck.”
Before becoming a comic artist, Chancellor’s creative journey began with music. Raised in a highly artistic household with a mother who was a piano major and a sister who enjoyed drawing, Chancellor started playing drums in 6th grade and later picked up guitar and other instruments. He played in punk and hardcore bands, touring regionally and internationally.
“I played drums, guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele — pretty much whatever I could get my hands on,” he said. “The main ones I still play are guitar and drums.”
Chancellor also has a classical music background, having sung in choirs and toured with an Irish group. He worked as the director of operations for a symphony, handling logistics and production. Still, he maintained a strong punk rock identity throughout.
“I’d listen to Beethoven or Mozart and then the Ramones or Black Flag right after,” he said.
Despite his extensive music career, Chancellor said it was challenging to break through in the crowded music scene.
“There’s so much out there, so many people doing it great,” he said. “I opened for Grammy-winning artists and had some big opportunities, but it just didn’t quite take off. That was disheartening.”
Turning to comics offered a fresh start. Encouraged by his wife, who was an avid comic reader, Chancellor began creating his own comics, and in 2019 published his first book professionally. His distinctive style helped him stand out in a less saturated market.
“My first book was Hardcore Anxiety, which explored my journey through punk rock and mental health,” he said. “It was about discovering punk music and dealing with depression and bipolar disorder.”
His new book, Hardcore Happiness: A Graphic Journey to Find Punk’s Positivity, follows up on that story. It explores how Chancellor reconciles the punk DIY ethos with the realities of adult life and mental health care.
“Punk opens the door to talking about mental health, but it doesn’t always encourage getting help,” Chancellor said. “This book wrestles with how to stay true to that mindset while living responsibly and finding happiness.”
At the upcoming library event, Chancellor plans a casual evening combining storytelling and music.
“I call it a reading, but with comics you don’t read them out loud like traditional books,” he said. “I’ll talk about the book, share stories, and play a few songs I’ve written, plus maybe some covers. Then I’ll take questions from the audience.”
Chancellor hopes the event will inspire attendees to think about mental health in new ways and encourage open conversations.
“There’s a lot of this ‘tortured artist’ mindset that can ruin the joy of creating,” he said. “I want people to see that artists grow and heal, and that we should support them beyond their toughest times.”
He emphasized that his books reflect his personal experience and are not a substitute for professional mental health care.
“I’m not a doctor,” Chancellor said. “This is my story and what worked for me. But hopefully it helps people feel less alone and shows them they can get through it.”
Reid Chancellor’s event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the chance to meet the author, hear his music, and learn about the intersections of punk culture, mental health, and creativity.
