Max Anthony Muscato (1) (born April 10, 1990) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, writer, director, actor and philanthropist. Born in Germantown, Maryland, Muscato attended Genesee Community College where he was named captain of the Men’s Lacrosse Team and was named Second Team All-American. He graduated The University at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and furthered his studies in orthopedic surgery and stem cell research, but left the field to pursue a career in music. (2)
EARLY LIFE AND MUSIC CAREER
At a young age Max was introduced to drums by his father, Marc Muscato, a professional touring musician and percussionist. At 12 years old Max discovered guitar and found his true calling. (3) Inspired by acts ranging from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer; he harnessed his craft and developed his style by playing dive bars, lounges and run down clubs and eventually worked his way up to reputable music venues. (4). 2017, marked the release of his first album, Act One, and quickly gained a following as he opened and toured with bands such as: Theory of a Deadman, Finger Eleven, Aaron Carter, The Backstreet Boys and Journey. (5) After two appearances at SXSW he went back into the studio. (6) The following year he released his next single, “Valarie,” which was nominated for a Grammy for best song in the Rock Music category. (7)
PHILANTHROPY:
In 2018, he sought after a new venture and formed Rock Autism, Inc after his autistic brother, Sonny Muscato, was shot by a drunk corrections officer. Rock Autism is a 501(c)-3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to being the first point of entry into the entertainment industry for the autism community by developing music and film production workshops serving youth and adults living on the autism spectrum. (8) Muscato and Rock Autism’s objective is to support individuals on the autism spectrum to develop a craft in music, film, and the multimedia arts that leads to employment in their given field of interest; keeping them free from isolation, depression, drug and alcohol addiction, incarceration, and suicide. (9) Muscato developed the program that teaches the basic fundamental principles of music and film production, screenwriting, acting, set design that result in paid in paid internships on Rock Autism projects. (10) That same year Muscato started the Rock Autism Musical Festival in Ellicottville, NY that directly developed entertainment industry skills-building programs. (11) Rock Autism has developed partnerships with: New Era Cap, Hard Rock Cafe, Taylor Guitars, Pepsi, Live Nation, Cumulus Radio, iHeartRadio, First Republic Bank, The Buffalo Bills, The Buffalo Sabres, Ralph Wilson Foundation, The Children’s Guild and The Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation. (12) As a result of his tireless efforts he was awarded the IDEA award for philanthropy in Buffalo, NY. (13)
FILM & MUSICAL:
Always having an affinity for film he made a decision to branch into the film industry. He formed SonMax Entertainment, which led to his first major project, Setlist, which was inspired by his feature film Sonnyboy. “Setlist” was a loose interpretation of his family’s life and music career that Muscato wrote, produced, directed and starred in. (14) Additionally, he brought on his organization Rock Autism as a production partner which employed Rock Autism students on set. (15) At the same time of production for Setlist, he was working on his musical Sonnyboy, which is the true story of what happened to his autistic brother that involved physical and mental abuse, addiction, incarceration, suicidal behaivor and being shot by a drunk corrections officer. (16).
DISCOGRAPHY:
Act One: 2017
Valarie: 2022
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