COREY TAYLOR: 'Being Sober Can Be Very Empowering'

SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor was interviewed on the red carpet of Rock To Recovery's second annual awareness event and benefit, which was held on Saturday, September 16 at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Asked what is so dear to him about the Rock To Recovery event, Corey said: "Besides it being a great way for me to get together with my friends and have a good time, it's really cool that it is promoting the positivity of being sober, especially in this industry. Because lot of people miss the mark sometimes and think that if you're into this kind of music, if you're into this way of life, it has to be that constant party, that constant barrage of chemicals and drugs and alcohol. And people only really see the magazine side of that — they don't see the reality of it until it's too late.

"I love the fact that this organization is breaking that down and showing that being sober can be very empowering," he continued. "It's stronger to be that badass — to be the guy who sees it all, remembers it all, feels it all, and, at the end of the night, doesn't need that quote-unquote party, you know. Because it's hard in this industry; people are made to feel like they don't belong, because they're not a part of that. And it's a shame."

Taylor was honored with the "Icon" award at the Rock to Recovery 2 - Benefit Concert. The singer, who tried to commit suicide in 2003 by attempting to jump off a hotel balcony while struggling with alcoholism, gave an inspiring acceptance speech in which he touched upon his struggles with depression and anxiety and how he's attempted to work through them with therapy, healthy habits and sobriety.

Former KORN touring guitarist Wesley Geer founded Rock To Recovery on December 12, 2012, in an effort to give non-musicians access to the magic, healing powers of playing music, and advance the use of music expression groups in various treatment settings. In each session, program participants form a band, write a song together, and record their work, offering an uplifting, therapeutic release to patients recovering from PTSD, alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, cancer treatments and more, by organically helping improve body/brain chemistry by stimulating the natural release of serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. Rock To Recovery typically operates as an adjunct service to a treatment center's curriculum, and in just four years, the program has grown to become an integral part of the weekly treatment curriculum for nearly eighty programs.

Rock To Recovery's non-profit entity donates its services to the U.S. Department of Defense's Wounded Warriors program, state-funded programs and indigent rehabs like the Salvation Army and Clare Foundation, programs for at-risk youths including Turning Point and North County Lifeline, as well as Breath of Heaven, and local VA programs including New Directions for Veterans and the Brentwood VA.

Prior to the inception of these annual concerts, Rock To Recovery has been entirely self-funded. Due to the program's success and subsequent demand, coupled with the overwhelming successes of last year's event, the organization will continue to grow its reach through these annual fundraising celebrations in order to bring the healing power of music to more people.

For more information on Rock To Recovery, visit www.rocktorecovery.org.