Note: All of the proceeds from any of the purchases on this web page go 100% to CJ Hutchings. CJ also may earn royalties if you click on certain links, such as the ones to YouTube, but you will not be charged.
I am Monika Wahi, President of DPS, and I decided to put up this fan page for CJ Hutchings to help him consolidate all his work in one location. CJ is a busker, and he plays guitar and sells his original acrylic paintings in public locations around Boston.
I met CJ in 2020 when I bought his painting of Ozzy Osbourne. Later, I ran into him again in 2021, and he recommended I read his first book, “30 Some Odd Years and a Ton of Rage” which he self-published on Amazon. It is a memoir about his struggles and eventual success overcoming the challenge of having his head injured at a young age, and having to basically find his way in the world with this disability.
I was so inspired after reading this memoir, I went back to him with a message. I said he had to find a way to start publishing his music online so fans like me could hear it on YouTube or purchase it on iTunes. I am happy to say – that’s exactly what he did! Starting in March 2022, he started regularly publishing music online he produces in his home studio.
CJ doesn’t have a web page for himself, but he posts regularly on Facebook and Instagram. Since he doesn’t have a place where his fans can do one-stop-shopping for his awesome music, paintings, and books, I made this web page for him.
If you are one of CJ’s fans and you found your way here, you’re in the right place! Welcome to the club! Enjoy the web site and CJ’s amazing art, and thank you for visiting!
CJ’s Biography
CJ Hutchings is a 40-something street musician, visual artist, and man of words. Born in Rhode Island to an artistic but dysfunctional family, he grew up poor, and was hit by a drunk driver at age 10. The hardship in his family prevented effective rehabilitation, and soon he was getting into trouble. But at the same time, he was picking up a guitar and learning how to make music. After some turbulent times, he was able to achieve sobriety, and established himself as an artist in Boston. Although he’s been a musician most of his life, it wasn’t until 2017 that he became a published author, and only within the last four years has he become a painter. Anyone who really wants to get to know CJ is strongly encouraged to read his inspiring memoir, “30 Some Odd Years and A Ton of Rage” available on Amazon.

How to Support CJ
- Listen to CJ’s music on YouTube, Apple Music, or Spotify. Because CJ makes a small amount of money when you listen, this is a great way to support him if you don’t have a big budget for art and music.
- Purchase his music on iTunes – look for artist “cjhutch”.
- Buy his books – Get his memoir on Amazon.com, and fill out the form below under “Books” to order his other self-published books.
- Buy his paintings – Pick them up in person at the “traveling gallery”, or meet up personally with CJ in the Boston area. You can also fill out the form below under “Paintings” to order a painting – or contact CJ for custom work!
- Come see him play in person in Boston at his “traveling gallery” – follow him on Facebook or Instagram to catch up with him.
- Purchase his items at Frippery Crafter’s Collective in Easton, MA.
- Want lessons in music or art? Contact CJ to discuss.
Press and Promotional
“Tuning In: Boston Musician Reflects On Performing Through A Pandemic”
by Jay Willett with reporting by Carl Stevens
WBZ New Radio
March 21, 2022
“From the Streets to the Stage – The Story of C.J. Hutchings” – documentary about how CJ got clean with the help of Riverwood Housing First Rhode Island.
May 24, 2012

Books
30 Some Odd Years and a Ton of Rage
CJ Hutching’s first book, “30 Some Odd Years” is a self-help book aimed at people recovering from head injury, suffering from drug or any other type of addiction, or both. CJ relates how he suffered a brain injury when he was hit by a car at age 10, and his family did not have the capacity to support his rehabilitation. What followed was “30 Some Odd Years” of struggles, where CJ gives his advice on how he overcame the effects of the head injury and the accompanying addiction and mental illness. A must-read for anyone who is in the mood for a thoughtful, uplifting story with a happy ending – showcasing how someone with a head injury and an addiction can actually pull themselves up by their bootstraps and move on to make important contributions to society.
Cost: $9.99 for Kindle version on Amazon.
“Sharp Teeth and Other Tales” Short Story Collection
This art book of three short stories published by DPS in 2022 showcases CJ’s ability to tell simple yet profound stories through his observations voiced through his characters. Each custom-crafted short storybook features prints from original paintings CJ made just for this project, and features the following tales: Chance, Denying, and Sharp Teeth. Order your copy online, or purchase it in person from CJ’s traveling gallery or at Frippery Crafter’s Collective.
Publisher: DPS, 2022. Size: 5.5” x 8.5”, 24 pages. Cost: $10.00 each plus shipping.
“It’s That Try Beyond Words” Poem Collection

“It’s that Try Beyond Words” is a DPS-curated collection of CJ’s poems chronicling his inner experiences and reflections while transitioning toward sobriety, serenity, love and acceptance. Placed in the context of graphic images enhancing the text, this hand-bound collection of CJ’s poems brings the reader on a journey from lingering doubt to faithful resolution. Order your copy online, or purchase it in person from CJ’s traveling gallery or at Frippery Crafter’s Collective.
Publisher: DPS, 2022. Size: 4.25” x 5.5”, 12 pages. Cost: $10.00 each plus shipping
Custom Book Order Form
Paintings
CJ paints each of his paintings from scratch – no prints! These are all original acrylic paintings. The number on the back indicates how many times he has painted the painting before.
CJ can paint anything you want – just ask! Hot tip: Have CJ paint a portrait of your loved one for your next special occasion! Contact CJ for prices.
The paintings below are typically available at CJ’s traveling gallery and at Frippery Crafter’s Collective. The cost is $20 plus shipping each if you order them from CJ or buy them at his traveling gallery, and they cost $40 each at Frippery. If you want to order one, scroll to the bottom and fill out the form.

Amy Winehouse

Audrey Hepburn

Meet the Beatles

Bob Dylan

Bruce Lee

Chris Cornell

Elton John

Jerry Garcia

Jimi Hendrix

John Lennon

Johnny Depp

Kurt Cobain

Lady Gaga

Metallica – Ride the Lightning

Michael Jackson

Ozzy Osbourne

Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon

Prince

Rolling Stones Lips

Steven Tyler

Boston Skyline

Nikki Pup in the Sunset

Elephants in the Sunset

Owl and Pussycat

Guitar Lake Reflection
Painting Order Form
Music
CJ mixes all of his original music in his recording studio near the Berklee College campus. He began publishing short music albums via software Distrokid regularly starting in March 2022. Prior to this, he maintained a YouTube channel, where he mostly published covers to keep himself busy during the pandemic, when the traveling gallery had to be put on hold.
This section provides links to his albums in reverse chronological order.
Lyrics to “Seasoned”
Saving all my money for a farm on the horizon
Where we can keep our animals
Away from the public’s eye.
Naked in our own sunshine
We are living free, like children
Making our own money from handmade creations.
Seasoned and out of the way of society
Tearing up our every night drifting in and out
Out of lust to live our life
Inside of our private tree.
Fishing on the lake
Inside our backyard
Sun comes on us everyday
Feeling good to be alive
Finally feeling Seasoned
On a life of long lost love
Seasoned over the horizon
Seasoned from our years of hard work.
Lyrics to “When No One’s There”
Magic’s happening in the air
Always been when no one is there.
Put a new spin on things
You can just believe in your woman
Taking life by the balls one more time.
It’s easy when no one’s there
It’s easy when no one’s there.
Pick up your lines and your lies
It’s easy when no one’s there.
Magic’s happening in the air
Always been when no one’s there
Put a new spin on things
You can just believe in your woman
Taking life by the balls one more time
Pick up your lines and your lies
When no one’s there.
When no one’s there.
When no one’s there.
When no one’s there.
Lyrics to “Monster”
Narrowminded ways and your empty gaze
Got her standing in the cornfield late last night.
Twisted wire surrounding empty clothes.
Such a mean, mean man?
What could you do
When the monsters taken over the night?
You can feel the mean, mean monster in the air.
Feel the mean, mean monster in the night?
Feel the mean, mean monster in the air?
The mean, mean monster in the night.
Lyrics to “Steel Wool”
Days of misplaced energy were bringing you down
But the tools are common ground
Now got you singing a new tune
Riding off your dereliction
Sunny tattoos
Got you cleaning out the mess in your brain.
Out there for too long
But you still think too hard
About all the changes you should have made
It ain’t that hard
Clean it with steel wool.
Next to nothing
Little muffin, getting your way
Fighting them small wars inside your brain
Used to have so much to
Show off at school
You just wasted your time
You’re never that cool
Cleaning out your desk after class
Clean it with steel wool
Just another ass.
Lyrics to “Railroaded”
Maybe the night’s not as good as you want it to be
A right of the way might suggest it ain’t everything that you see
Maybe it’s just you and me.
Maybe it’s just you and me.
Fell off the wagon too many times for you to count
It might have been my fault
Probably, I have no doubt.
Maybe it was just you and me.
Maybe it was just you and me.
Railroaded to a path of destruction at thirteen
It was a new destination in a perfect location for me
Just you and me.
Just you and me.
Railroaded into explosives that didn’t show
Railroaded down by the emptiness we knew so well.
Railroaded, railroaded, railroaded.
Lyrics to “Walking Through Thursday”
A misty rain falls on the field
Might not last longer depending how it feels
It might just resemble a melody
Falling on our heads, drenching the tragedies.
When it’s raining
Walking through Thursday.
Pitch black eyes staring from a door
Brings chills to your spine looking at the dog
Bracing yourself as the day breaks
Because we made it through another day
Got to make this a good one again
Paying bills and calling friends.
When it’s raining
Walking through a Thursday,
Walking through a Thursday.
Lyrics to “No Words”
Keep to yourself and your old complaining
For another day while you stay away
Shaking it off like there was nothing important enough
There was only stuff in the way.
And you’re shaking your head
With no words left to say.
No words, no words.
No words, no words.
Old memories that keep sticking to wasted ways
Built a maze that you keep on running
Just like a gerbil in a wheel and you can’t feel
And find it dragging
Inviting feelings of unawareness.
Shaking your head with
No words to say
No words, no words.
Uncompromising you’re hypnotizing your needs
Need to be put on hold
Done with dirty ways
But the past has you paying it forward anyways.
Out in the park where you screwed in the dark
Always pleasing yourself out of your mind
But your times with no words to say
No words of all your dying madness.
You see your back’s against the wall
No place to bleed, no time of need on another day
With no words to invent a life that should have been.
For real
Be real
No words to write off agony at a cost
As a child with no words
No words in the midnight
Alone
Out of sight
Once again.
Hang on, my friend.
Lyrics to “Insight”
In and around you times growing older as years go by
Won’t even warn you when it starts changing
Change in your
Insight
Change in your
Insight
Shake it off like you did so many years ago
Make like it don’t bother you
You’re not letting it show
Change in your
Insight
Change in your
Insight
Lyrics to “With Me Tonight”
Yesterday I saw my girl
Walking round with another guy
The only thing she had to say was
Turning round to look at the sky.
Hours and hours and days on end.
Minutes and days and times that
Follow pass on by.
Way back when she could change my mind
Way back when I was taken by surprise.
Way beneath her love tonight
Thrown away like love tonight.
Way back when time was on our side
Way back then.
Way back then.
Lyrics to “Travel”
Wrestle with a broken addiction game
In another place, yet the town’s the same.
You knew it once, but soon forget the name.
Travel somewhere you never been
Travel to another part of the world.
It’s late at night and you’re almost there,
Fall asleep into a chair.
Travel somewhere you never been
Travel to another part of the world
Listen to the wind blow
Listen to the road.
It’s late at night and you’re almost there,
Fall asleep inside a chair.
Travel to somewhere you never been
Travel to another part of the world
Travel to another part of the world.
Lyrics to “Obsession”
Shit will mess with your mind as long as you allow it
So break those chains, show no shame
It’s been outshined as far as I remember
We all been playing the game.
Obsession outshines your truth sometimes
Obsession’s got you in denial.
Don’t sink down to their level
But be true to yourself and break on through
Shocked to find there’s some good in the world
Still obsession over my girl.
So long ago, you’re trouble
Still in the game, you’re to blame
Always left outside
Obsession’s got your name
Obsession’s got you in denial
Obsession outshines your truth sometimes
Obsession’s got you in denial.
Lyrics to “Sliced”
When her world fell in love with her name
And drugs brought you to your knees
You lived life like an animal in many sliced degrees.
Avoiding certain places
Because of limitations.
One time you bought a castle
But it wasn’t worth the hassle
So you wrote it off as another loss.
Living life frustrated in a zoo of mental faces
Loading off they’re pain on anyone around.
Avoiding so many faces
Sliced in this circus.
Lyrics to “Continually Moving”
Counting empty stars that fall like lemon drops under a sky
Won’t let silent dreams create themselves while they’re sleeping in your mind
Congregating thoughts meander open wounds continually.
Out under the sky
Continually moving
Out under the sky
Wish away the bad covering a night and fall away
Discover new patterns eluding from your eyes in an empty night
Try to discover your just a small part of a universe that had got you wishing on a falling star
To who we are
Out under the sky
Continually moving
Out under the sky
Lyrics to “Commonground”
The way a song makes you feel
Is the way your life’s supposed to feel.
Around commonground.
The soft caress of her voice
Always behind your choice.
It’s good to have commonground.
The way that your thankful, silent sounds
Under commonground
Gotta be thankful that there’s a
Commonground
No more her these days
This is the worst that it’s ever been.
It’s as if no one can see any
Commonground anymore.
(repeat)
Lyrics to “Karma Blues”
Woke up late in the morning,
Slept whichever way you can.
Tried real hard to give her all of my love
But I’m only a man
Tried real hard against the walls
Of her karma blues.
God damn that karma
God damn that karma blues.
Watching all the wrong
Going on before your eyes.
I wanna see you change, I want to cut it down to size.
Wanna see it change, change with that attitude.
Never gonna get a why
Away from them karma blues.
Late into the evening, from the afternoon
Sitting in her garden, watching flowers bloom.
Takes your mind away, and changes your tune
But it’s sad we’ll never escape them karma blues.
Lyrics to “Early Dawn”
Waking up to the darkness, remembering a dream
Thank God nobody’s your problem, or controls how you feel.
In the early dawn.
Pave a brand new way for the way you think
When you’re gone.
Listen more to yourself before they
Get their hands on you.
In the early dawn you’ve got to
Get your productive day rolling.
Lyrics to “Strange”
It’s faded away like a bad childhood memory
Didn’t know what to say when she came looking for me
Strange how we’re living in mediocrity
It’s strange, strange, strange.
It’s faded away like a bad childhood memory
Didn’t know what to say when she came looking for me
Strange how we’re living in mediocrity
It’s strange, strange, strange.
Lyrics to “So Long”
Comparing yourself to a fool on the hill
Some are wishing you dead.
Some you’d like to kill.
It’s too late to hold anybody else down for
The wrongs you created
While you ruined the town.
Upside down battles calling on wars have
Got you holding yourself hostage
Drunk on a floor.
You’ve been down so long it looks like up to me
You’ve been down so long, so long.
Lyrics to “Right Every Time”
Stare at the light for the answer
You are always right, or so it seems.
Right every time, you knew you’re right
Write off everything to me.
Look at the signs with no meaning
Know that there’s no guarantee
Right every time, you knew you’re right
I can’t disagree.
Right every time
Right every time.
Lyrics to “In Your Favor”
Shackled in the eyes of the world and
Everything you’ve ever known.
You can feel the earth slowly move
When you feel it starting to snow.
Changes coming real soon, you’ll see
Watch out for them know-it-alls
Tangled in their own web of emptiness
One day, we’ll see them start to fall.
Trading your hours and your words
For some more social security.
Powerful words might have done you wrong
Compliments might have made you bleed.
Stuck inside a world full of enemies
Rolling along on empty, or so it seems.
The darkness will work in your favor
You’ll see in.
Lyrics to “Need”
Done with all those plans you made
Up yesterday because they didn’t fit
The song that you changed.
You found the need to continue anyway
Even though you feel you’re always
Walking in the rain.
No matter how much you do right in the world
You’re always gonna feel used eventually
Continue on to feed the need to be somebody
Someday.
Lyrics to “Tiresome”
Trying real hard just to find time throughT
he maze of fading energy.
Tiresome in the momentum of your legend
And all I can do is just disagree.
Life is tiresome.
Lyrics to “Coming Down”
Those days have got you out of your mind
Once again, it’s been so long since you’ve
Had that loving again.
Your love’s calming down when you
Feel yourself coming down.
Walking on a hot open fire, you feel it
Under your feet, but the pain gets you high.
There used to be more common sense.
Your love’s calming down when you
Feel yourself coming down.
Coming down from the bad love.
Coming down from the empty nights.
Coming down from them old ways.
Getting you nowhere.
Lyrics to “Last”
Waking up to the day but
The big picture’s so much bigger than you.
Last night’s on your mind.
But it won’t be the last time.
No it won’t be the last time.
Broke up with a band once again
Or the woman you used to love.
Using yourself for the last time.
But it won’t be the last time.
No it won’t be the last time.
Driving away for the last time.
Lyrics to “A Love”
Found her way down by the sand of the water’s edge
Enjoying the sun and the sky
Tasted her lips that were jus like fruit juice
A love that invited me in.
When the sun was coming down there was
A chill in the air, but she was a love
That kept me warm all the time.
A love that kept me strong through time.
About two days ago we were sailing
Out in the sea without any trouble at all
Before long our love had taken a fall
And I missed her summer love in the fall.
A love that kept me strong through time.
A love still on my mind.
.
Lyrics to “Over and Over Blues”
Same as it was back when your life was the blues
When you couldn’t hold down a job for no one
And always found your losin’
Touch with your own reality
It’s the same old over and over blues
What you refuse to see, you always see last.
Chances were real slim when you finally learned to swim
You’ve given up on anything
That might have helped you a little bit.
Trial and error until you finally refuse
To see the light on
Over and over blues.
Lyrics to “Your Voices Matter”
Take all the time you need ‘cause
Hypocrites are who rush you anyway.
Do all the things inside your heart and
Say it loud and clear.
Won’t be long before your can’t get heard
So say it when you can.
All your voices matter and always will.
Finish that project that you started
Years go before you could see
All of your progress sand then lost
And gone opportunities.
All your voices matter and always will.
Lyrics to “Basicly”
Got my hands tied with something I believe
And it’s all me.
Got my mind made up and I believe in me.
It’s a limited length of time and it’s not enough
When you’re young, it’s fine, in youth is tough
Basicly.
I believe in me.
Lyrics to “Getting By”
Scraping away with decisions you made
Such a long time ago.
Buried in debt and beginning to get by
With just a bit of a common sense.
People you trusted turned out good for nothing
Deserting you continuously.
Getting by on your good looks before it
Got old.
It took so long to get you to realize
Dwindle away every opportunity that comes your way.
Despite unaware of the people that didn’t
Care you kept getting by continuously.
Lyrics to “Brightness”
Got my hands untied for some time
There’s nothing in the way, keeping me down anymore.
Right outside the door
There’s a brightness leading the way.
Made a choice to change my ways
A thousand times before.
Nothing could have prepared myself for what’s in store.
Every day sees the brightness growing in.
Right out behind the door
There’s a brightness leading the way.
It’s always been there.
You don’t have to say anymore
Than you already said
The brightness is overhead
The brightness is overhead.
Lyrics to “Stolen Ways”
Stepped into the now with your hands in the air
Everyone’s fighting their own demons.
Can’t stand this part of the unexpected
Just try to wish it all away.
But every way seems like a stolen way
Push and you pull in the crooked headstone
Everything seems so unreal.
People are fake in their fallen ways
Of the unreal and the evil.
And every way seems like a stolen way.
Stolen ways made up of pain.
Lyrics to “Stuck”
Worrying yourself in a sleepy old town
We’re all just animals evolving to the now
Empty and clueless, you can’t bring us down.
Stuck on a wave with no self-esteem.
Continually trying with no guarantee.
Illusions of grandeur are painting you green
Always evolving, they’re turning you mean.
Stuck on a mentality of a poor man.
Even when you’re rich
You’re stuck in the wave.
Lyrics to “Downward Dog”
Make this time last forever in your mind
All those things you’ve ever wanted you deserve
Feels good breathing in and breathing out again
When you’re sitting down and breathing in
In your downward dog.
Tame yourself to see the truth that was never there
Be strong enough to hold the golden rule
Of your memory when you’re breathing in and out
A downward dog.
Breathing in and out in downward dog.
When you’re breathing, meditation.
Lyrics to “Hazed”
Drinking down a bottle of fame
Say goodbye and shine on with your name
The day that you got hazed.
Painted eyes burned by the sun
Calling on friends to get you undone
Weaponizing a machine gun
The day that you got hazed.
Hazed in the summertime of your youth
Hazed from the party after school.
Lyrics to “Quiet Sunday”
Too many weak days could bring me down
But it’s always quiet on a Sunday.
Laughing like a child, feeling alone at night
End of the day has fallen near.
Tired from the dirt road we keep on walking down
That goes nowhere
Feeling how time divides us
On a quiet Sunday.
Lyrics to “Flying”
Missing out on fun is taking more energy
Than it’s worth anyway.
You spent more time angry
Used to love and adore me
Now you just ignore me
Taken all my money
And walk away.
Her love is flying for another day
Flying away.
Broken times repaired back when we were
More than friends.
Her love is flying away for another day
Flying away.
Flying away.
Lyrics to “Playing with Life”
Messing with your mind
Has taken too much time
Drove common sense away
While they’re burning down
Your trees.
They’re preying on your mind
Playing with your life
Losing too much sleep
Can keep you from disease.
All on down the road
The road you used to know but
Society is playing with your mind
Messing with your life.
Lyrics to “Wanting More”
Took a while to wish yourself back in life
But when you try, you’ll find you always do.
Don’t be fooled by a crazy illusion
That you’ll always lose like a fool.
It takes wanting more than you’re used to
But when you try, you’ll find you always pull through.
Something inside must wake you up
To wanting more than you had before.
Leaving the tragedy and wanting more
Wanting more
Wanting more.
Lyrics to “Scaled”
Mistakes we made can be changed
Traded and scaled far away
Making it feel like you’re starting again
Failed away as life burned you.
Scaling away
Scaled all your days
Tough-skinned.
Lyrics to “Teathered”
Teathered in between a heart and a haunted dream
Slipping further away from what I think you really wanna say
Teathered voices.
Hearing them violent screams deep inside of a TV
Painting silent masses failing all the boring classes
Constantly weak in the knees and dying from some weird disease.
Teathered voices are heard.
Teathered voices are heard.
Lyrics to “Dying Breed”
Heavy are the hands you lay on me
Desperate are the times you seem in need.
Heavy metal roads light up like thunder
Everyone you see’s a dying breed.
Ruined from faulty information
Mounted in the place she slept in weeds
Darkened from the weak parental guidance.
Dead and buried roads become your hunger
Everything you see’s a dying breed.
A dying breed
A dying breed.
Lyrics to “Picture Perfect”
Looking through a new lens
Unafraid to open your eyes
Unintelligent they used to despise
But now the sight’s so perfect.
Taken long enough for me to see
The answers always been in front of me
Larger than life before your eyes
Picture perfect right before your eyes.
Too late to turn back now
Everything you know is helping you grow.
Small friends meet along the way
Help you forget more than you can say.
Turned out picture perfect
You did.
Couldn’t save yourself
If you were just a kid.
Last updated June 26, 2023. Added new banner January 1, 2024. Added Providence Journal article April 7, 2024.
Visit CJ Hutching’s fan page for links to all his amazing paintings, books, and music!
Hi Monica, this is Chris’s uncle Dicky. I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to see Chris have his own website. Just seeing him doing well and finding his place after all he’s been through, WOW! Thank you for helping to lift him up even more.
You’re welcome! From one CJ fan to another!