Paladin

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: City Style

Media Credit: Matt Robinson [Click to enlarge]

After 16 successful years performing and producing original music, Chris Paul Overall is going back to school to pursue a degree in math at LBCC.

A native Texan, Overall, 33, is a Long Beach-based singer and songwriter who has won several Orange County Music Awards and acquired a devoted fan base.

"I have a desire to learn now, which I didn't ever have as a child or in my early twenties. I like the satisfaction of being graded now. It gives you a gauge for measuring how well you are doing at something. With music, there are awards and cool things you get to do because of your achievements but never definite sense of accomplishment," Overall said.

The desire for change in his life was brought about due to a recent injury that occurred while sliding into a base during a church softball game. The accident left him with a severe break in his ankle, surgery and a lot of down time.

"When it (the injury) happened, everything in my life just came to a grinding halt and I gained a sense of clarity as to what I'm accomplishing with my life. The past 16 years my life has orbited around the planet music. School is something I've wanted to try again for a long time now," Overall said.

The returning student is no stranger to studying. He attended Biola University in La Mirada from Fall 1994 to Spring 1996. Knowing that his true passion was for music, he dropped out and began following his dreams of being a successful musician. Overall said he didn't appreciate the value of learning then and did just enough to pass his classes.

With a new sense of focus and determination, Overall is back in school. Though he doesn't have a specific career goal, the undiscovered territories in the math and physics field excites him.

When talking about how the process of returning to school has been, Overall said,

"The people at LBCC have been great. Everyone I have come in contact with has been very helpful. More than anything, I love the energy that comes off people who are deep in the trenches of learning. I feel like I will fit right in with that vibe and find much acceptance in that."

Overall will be the second in his family to attend college, following in the footsteps of his younger sister.

Overall encourages students to follow their dreams at any age.

"Age is never a factor in what you want to do, although I do feel a little bit like Adam Sandler's character in 'Billy Madison, minus the giant penguin hallucinations!"

Overall's music is available at chrispauloverall.com.

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