Gavin Shane DeGraw (born February 4, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter. DeGraw rose to fame with his song "I Don't Want to Be" from his debut album Chariot (2003); the song became the main theme song for The WB/CW drama series One Tree Hill. Other notable singles from his debut album were the title track and "Follow Through".
His second album, Gavin DeGraw, was released in 2008 and included the top-20 single "In Love with a Girl". In 2009, DeGraw released his third album, Free. His fourth album, Sweeter (2011), spawned the hit single "Not Over You", along with "Soldier" and "Sweeter". In 2013, DeGraw released the album Make a Move, while in 2016 he released the album Something Worth Saving. In 2022, he released Face the River and a documentary on how he made the record and how he dealt with his parents' deaths.
DeGraw began singing and playing piano at the age of eight. He has two older siblings: a sister, Neeka, and a brother, Joey (who is also a musician). Growing up in a musical family, he was raised to regard music as part of the fabric of everyday life rather than as a remote show-business ideal.[7]
As a teenager, DeGraw experienced a personal epiphany when he discovered Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, whose combination of personal charm and emotional commitment struck a chord in the budding musician.[7] DeGraw played in a local Catskills group called "The People's Band" with his brother Joey and with local musician and vocalist Steven Levine, Bart and Hal Coopersmith. the band was named from his father's band when he was playing. The People's Band played many of the local hotels and clubs around the Monticello area. On his brother's advice, DeGraw began writing his own songs.[8] He attended Ithaca College on a music scholarship, but found himself spending more time in his dorm room writing songs than attending classes and dropped out after one semester. DeGraw then moved to Boston, where he attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music for two semesters while singing in a rock band and playing solo gigs on the side.[7]
Music career
After leaving Berklee and relocating to Manhattan in March 1998, DeGraw laid the groundwork for a musical career. Within a few months of his arrival, DeGraw made his way into the Sunday night Ron Grant and Friends open-mike night at Wilson's (the noted Upper West Side restaurant inside the Lucerne hotel). The night manager, Shar Thompson, introduced DeGraw to the club's owner, Debbie Wilson, the next day. Wilson signed on as his manager. DeGraw began developing a reputation in New York's music community.[7] DeGraw eventually signed a record deal with Clive Davis and his J Records imprint, the home of Santana as well as R&B singers Alicia Keys and Angie Stone.[9][bettersourceneeded]
In the spring of 2002, DeGraw began work on his debut album. "I wanted to create something that was timeless rather than fashionable", he explained. "I was concerned with developing a sound that wasn't disposable. I didn't want to have too much glitter on me". The adjustment from the live stage to the recording studio was an educational process that gave DeGraw new insight into his work. "It made me think about making records differently," he says. "At first I felt out of my element because you have to learn the language and the science of making a record. It's a real process to get to the point where it doesn't sound like it's a process. We worked at making it breathe".[7][failed verification] The album, entitled Chariot, was recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles and produced by Mark Endert.[1][bettersourceneeded]
DeGraw rose to fame in 2003[10] when "I Don't Want to Be" was chosen as the theme song for teen drama One Tree Hill.[11]Chariot was released on July 22, 2003, by J Records.[12] It sold over a million copies and earned platinum certification.[13] In addition to "I Don't Want to Be", the album featured the singles "Follow Through" and "Chariot";[14] each of the three singles was certified gold after selling more than a million copies.[13] "I Don't Want to Be" peaked at number 10 in the U.S. charts[15] and has been performed on American Idol[16] and Idol Sweden[17] by various contestants during different seasons. DeGraw went on to release an acoustic version of Chariot in 2004. Entitled Chariot Stripped, the album contained a cover version of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come".[18]
DeGraw's 2006 single, "We Belong Together", was certified gold.[13]
DeGraw performing in 2005
DeGraw's second studio album, the self-titled Gavin DeGraw, was released on May 6, 2008.[12] Ahead of this, the single "In Love with a Girl" was released on February 12, 2008. The second U.S. single from the album, "Cheated On Me", was released in the U.S. on September 30, 2008.[citation needed]Gavin DeGraw debuted at No. 1 on the digital sales chart and ranked at No. 7 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart.[14][bettersourceneeded]
DeGraw's Live From Soho album, released on November 7, 2008, featured mostly tracks from Gavin DeGraw.[19]
On March 31, 2009, DeGraw's third studio album, Free, was released.[20] DeGraw made Free in less than two weeks at the Brooklyn studio of his producer, Camus Celli. DeGraw included some songs on the album that he wrote very early in his career and that have evolved over time, songs such as "Dancing Shoes" and "Glass".[1] The debut single from the album, "Stay", was released on March 11, 2009.[21]Free has been described as "recorded versions of his live favourites".[14]
DeGraw's fourth album, Sweeter, was released on September 20, 2011.[22] The album featured many tracks co-written with other artists. The album's first single, "Not Over You", was co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder and was said to have been inspired by Kyle Craig. "Not Over You" is his first song to reach the top spot on the Adult Pop Songs chart;[23] the single has been certified platinum.[13]Sweeter contains collaborations from producers including Butch Walker, Eric Rosse, and Ron Aniello; alongside another co-written title track, "Sweeter" with Andrew Frampton. The album was recorded in many locations including Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Walker's Space in Venice and the Henson Recording Studios.[14][bettersourceneeded]Sweeter is DeGraw's first album released under RCA Records; all three of his previous albums were released under J Records.[bettersourceneeded] DeGraw went on to release an acoustic album based mostly on songs from Sweeter. The iTunes Session album features seven tracks and a 30-minute interview.[24]
On June 18, 2013, DeGraw released "Best I Ever Had", the first single from his fifth studio album.[28] The album, Make a Move, was released October 15, 2013.[29][bettersourceneeded] During that year, he supported Train across their series of US shows; The Script also appeared in several of those shows.[30]
In 2015, DeGraw collaborated with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song "Sunset Jesus", from his album Stories. DeGraw co-wrote the song, and he also sang it during the Avicii Tribute Concert in Stockholm in 2019.[33]
On May 20, 2022, DeGraw's released his seventh studio album Face the River, with the title track serving as the lead single; a tribute to his late parents.[35] August 27 is International Listen to Gavin DeGraw Day.[36]
Gavin DeGraw OKC concert August 23, 2023
DeGraw released his first ChristmasEP, A Classic Christmas on October 13, 2023. It consists of six classic Christmas songs.[37]
In 2023, DeGraw signed with Sony Music Nashville.[38]
In 2023 and 2024 he embarked on another world tour in USA & in Europe.[39]
On September 27, 2024, DeGraw is releasing a re-recorded version of his debut album Chariot to commemorate 20 years since its release, to be titled Chariot 20. This album will include two new previously unreleased tracks.[40]
Other work
DeGraw performing at the Des Moines Arts Festival on June 27, 2009
Acting
DeGraw appeared in an on-screen role in four One Tree Hill episodes. His first appearance was in 2004, during "You Gotta Go There to Come Back"; he was seen singing "I Don't Want to Be" at Karen's Cafe. His second appearance was in season 2 where he sang "Chariot" in episode 17. His third appearance was in the season five finale, "What Comes After the Blues", where he was seen singing "I Don't Want to Be" with Jamie Scott (Jackson Brundage). DeGraw appeared on the show a final time during the series' last episode, in which he sang "Belief", "Soldier" and "I Don't Want to Be" at TRIC's 10th Anniversary party.[41][bettersourceneeded]
DeGraw and his brother opened The National Underground in December 2007. The National Underground is a roots rock/Americana music bar located in Manhattan's Lower East Side.[43] The venue offers music, food, and drink.[44][45][46] "We were picky about the quality of musicians that played there", DeGraw says. "We wanted a place where the players were so good, other musicians were like, 'Wow! I really respect what they're doing.'"[47] Together the DeGraw brothers also own the restaurant/bar called the Nashville Underground in Nashville, TN, on Broadway and the steakhouse Open Range in Bozeman, Montana.
Personal life
Gavin DeGraw and his dog son Buddy 2023
On August 8, 2011, DeGraw was hospitalized after being assaulted by several people in Manhattan's East Village after leaving The National Underground.[48] Police reported that a group of men attacked DeGraw early Sunday morning at East 6th Street and First Avenue. He suffered a broken nose, a concussion, two black eyes, and lacerations to his face.[48][49] Only minutes after the attack, DeGraw was struck by a taxi at 19th Street and First Avenue. DeGraw was taken to Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital Center by ambulance,[50] and he had to cancel a scheduled August 9 performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs.[51] In January 2012, DeGraw reported that he had made a full recovery from his injuries.[52]
In September 2017, DeGraw's mother, Lynne DeGraw, died of pancreatic cancer.[53] On July 2, 2020, DeGraw's father, John Wayne DeGraw, died from brain cancer.[54]
↑ "Sweeter" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 but did peak at number 16 on Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which is an extension of the Hot 100.
Related Research Articles
Chariot is the debut studio album by singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, first released on July 22, 2003, on J Records. It was re-released in 2004 as Chariot (Stripped), which included all of the original Chariot content as well as a bonus disc. The bonus material was "stripped-down" studio recordings of all of the original songs, as well as a cover of Sam Cooke's "Change Is Gonna Come". The album was successful and was later certified Platinum in the United States.
"I Don't Want to Be" is a song by American singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw from his 2003 debut album, Chariot. The song gained exposure after being featured as the opening theme to The CW teen drama series One Tree Hill, and it was released as a radio single on February 17, 2004. It peaked at number 10 in the United States in 2005 and became a top-20 hit in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
"Chariot" is a song by American singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw. It appears on his 2003 debut studio album, Chariot, and was released as the album's second single in February 2005. The song addresses the overwhelming feeling Gavin felt when he moved to New York from his rural hometown; in the songs, he pleads for a (metaphorical) chariot to come and take him home.
"Follow Through" is a song recorded by American singer Gavin DeGraw, released on August 8, 2005 for his debut studio album Chariot (2003). The song, like all of the album, was solely written by DeGraw. The song was featured on TV shows like One Tree Hill and Scrubs. "Follow Through" was also included in British and Italian advertisements for Carte d'Or ice cream.
Colbie Marie Caillat is an American singer-songwriter. She rose to fame on the social networking website Myspace in 2005. At that time, she was the number one unsigned artist of her genre.
Coco is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. The album was released on July 10, 2007, in the United States, debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200, selling 51,000 copies in its first week. It also became Caillat's best-selling album to date, selling 2,100,000 copies in the United States and over 3,000,000 copies around the world. Caillat supported the album with the Coco World Tour, as well as four singles. The lead single "Bubbly" was a huge international hit, while the following two singles "Realize" and "The Little Things" were minor hits. "Somethin' Special" was released as a promo support the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China and the 2009 film Bride Wars.
"In Love with a Girl" is a song recorded by American singer Gavin DeGraw and was released as the lead single from DeGraw's self-titled second studio album, released in 2008.
Gavin DeGraw is singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw's second album. The album was released on May 6, 2008. The album debuted at number seven on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart, selling 66,000 copies the first week.
The discography of Colbie Caillat, an American musician and singer-songwriter, contains seven studio albums, seven extended plays, one compilation album, 22 singles, 22 music videos and other album appearances and songwriting credits. Caillat rose to fame through social networking website Myspace. At that time, she was the number-one unsigned artist of her genre. After signing with Universal Republic, she released debut album in July 2007, Coco has sold 2,060,000 copies in the United States and is certified 3× Platinum. In August 2009, she released Breakthrough, her second album which became her first album to debut at number one on Billboard 200. It has been certified Platinum by RIAA. In July 2011, she released her third studio album, All of You. In October 2012 she released her first Christmas album, Christmas in the Sand. Caillat sold 11 million albums and 25 million singles worldwide.
"Lucky" is a song by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. It is the third single from Mraz's third studio album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. The song also appears as a bonus track on the international edition of Caillat’s album Breakthrough. The song has been on the Billboard charts, as well as other music charts worldwide.
Breakthrough is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. The album was released on August 19, 2009 through Universal Republic Records. The follow-up to her successful debut album, Coco (2007), Breakthrough was developed in late 2008 when Caillat returned to her home after two years on tour, with the singer setting up a "writing camp" with songwriters and producers in Hawaii and writing over 40 songs for the record.
"I Never Told You" is a song by the American pop singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat from her second album Breakthrough (2009). The song was released on February 16, 2010 in the United States as the second single. The song is a power ballad in E-flat major and was written by Caillat, Jason Reeves and Kara DioGuardi and produced by DioGuardi. The song talks about the love the singer still has for her lover they felt strongly about at one point in their life. The song received positive reviews from music critics. In the charts, the song has performed moderately well, it has peaked at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Adult Pop Songs.
All of You is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. The album was scheduled to be released on May 3, 2011, but was pushed back by two months to a July 6, 2011, release in the United States through Universal Republic Records. The set, largely produced by Greg Wells, features one guest appearance by rapper/actor Common, who graces "Favorite Song", while her songwriting collaborators include Ryan Tedder, Toby Gad, Jason Reeves and Rick Nowels. The album's lead-single "I Do" was released on February 7, 2011, and has charted at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number 11 on the Adult Pop Songs. A second single "Brighter Than the Sun" was released on May 17, 2011, and has charted at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
"Brighter Than the Sun" is a song by American recording artist Colbie Caillat. It was written by Caillat and Ryan Tedder and produced by the latter. The song was released as the second single from Caillat's third studio album, All of You (2011). The song was released to digital download on May 23, 2011, through Universal Republic. The song received a positive reaction from music critics, who complimented its summer feel. The song is certified platinum in the United States and has been successful on many Billboard charts, including the Hot 100, where the song reached the top 50, the Adult Contemporary chart, where the song peaked at number one for a week. "Brighter Than the Sun" also was a top-40 hit in Austria and was the third-biggest song of 2012 on US adult contemporary radio.
Sweeter is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw. The album was released in the United States on September 20, 2011, and features tracks co-written with other artists for the very first time, including Ryan Tedder, Butch Walker, and Andrew Frampton. The lead single, "Not Over You", co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder, was released to mainstream radio and to iTunes in May and was a chart success. The album received generally favorable reviews from music critics and received a moderate impact on the charts.
"Not Over You" is a song by American recording artist Gavin DeGraw, released as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Sweeter, on May 17, 2011. The song was written by DeGraw and Ryan Tedder, and produced by Tedder. The song peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it DeGraw's most successful song on the chart since his breakout hit "I Don't Want to Be", becoming his fourth Top 40 hit. It also became his first song to reach the top spot on the Adult Pop Songs. Sara Evans covered the song as a duet with DeGraw on her 2014 album Slow Me Down.
"Favorite Song" is a song by American recording artist Colbie Caillat. It was written by Caillat and Ryan Tedder, and produced by Tedder and it features American rapper Common. The song was released as the third single from her third studio album All of You (2011). it was released on May 8, 2012. Musically, the song is a guitar-driven pop, hip-hop jam, and the lyrics speak about being in love with someone and desiring that the person feels the same. The song is a metaphor for wanting to be the object of someone’s affection.
Christmas in the Sand is a Christmas album and the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. It was released on October 23, 2012 in the United States through Universal Republic Records. The album includes eight cover versions of popular holiday songs and four original songs, written by Caillat along with several other songwriters. Produced by her father Ken Caillat, Christmas in the Sand features collaborations with Brad Paisley, Gavin DeGraw, Justin Young and Jason Reeves.
"Try" is a song by American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat from her fifth studio album, Gypsy Heart (2014). It was released on June 9, 2014 by Republic Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Caillat, Jason Reeves, Babyface and Antonio Dixon and was produced by the latter two. Lyrically, the midtempo pop ballad is about not trying to be someone else to make others happy. It was written after a session where Caillat was feeling pressure to be someone she was not, both musically and image-wise. It received acclaim from music critics, who noted it was a simple, but beautiful empowering ballad.
Safe Haven (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2013 film Safe Haven directed by Lasse Hallström, based on Nicholas Sparks' 2010 novel of the same name. The soundtrack was released by Republic Records on February 5, 2013, and featured 13 songs heard in the film performed by artists Colbie Caillat, Ben Howard, Brandi Carlile, Amos Lee, Dar Williams and Gavin DeGraw amongst others.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
