Gavin DeGraw

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This article is about the singer. For the singer's self-titled album, see Gavin DeGraw (album). Gavin DeGraw
Background information Birth name Gavin Shane DeGraw Born February 4, 1977(1977-02-04) (age 31) Origin South Fallsburg, New York, United States. Genre(s)Rock, pop rockOccupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitarYears active 2001-present Label(s)J Records
Sony BMG Music EntertainmentWebsite Official website

Gavin DeGraw (born February 4, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter and musician.

1 Early life
2 Career
3 Discography
4 Awards and nominations
5 References
6 External links

Early life

Gavin DeGraw grew up in Catskills, in South Fallsburg, New York. His father was a prison guard and his mother was a detox specialist, as mentioned in his song "I Don't Want to Be". DeGraw began singing and playing piano at the age of eight. He attended Berklee College of Music during the same year as artist John Mayer. His two siblings, both older, are Joey and Neeka. Joey currently provides guitar and backing vocals for Gavin's band.

Career

Originally, DeGraw started in Manhattan clubs, drawing several of his home town fans. He made his big break when "I Don't Want to Be" was chosen as the theme song for the teen drama One Tree Hill. The song has also been performed on American Idol, Australian Idol and Idol (Norway and Sweden) by various contestants during different seasons. Two of DeGraw's other songs, "Follow Through" and "Chariot," have also achieved popularity and radio play. His song "We Belong Together" was also featured in the 2006 film Tristan and Isolde. In 2004, DeGraw released an acoustic version of his album Chariot called Chariot Stripped. DeGraw and his band recorded the album live in the studio, in only one take on the vocals, seeking an intimate effect.

DeGraw at a concert in Georgia in 2005

Since 2004, his profile has grown, bringing him to other states as he tours the country. He made his television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly. DeGraw has also appeared on television shows such as The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Late Show With David Letterman, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Live with Regis and Kelly. Recently, he has been seen in cameos on Dead Like Me, What I Like About You, and American Dreams. He also appeared in One Tree Hill, singing "I Don't Want to Be" and "Chariot" at Karen's Cafe. DeGraw has released a number of music videos as well, including "I Don't Want to Be", "Follow Through" and "Chariot". The latter was directed by Zach Braff, who also directed music videos for Joshua Radin.

His brother Joey is also a recording artist who has played guitar and sung with him on his tour to promote his album Chariot. DeGraw has toured with such acts as Barenaked Ladies, Butterfly Boucher, The Allman Brothers Band, Marc Broussard, Jason Mraz and Maroon 5.

DeGraw has also recorded his own compilations of his songs on strippedmusic.com including several versions of his songs, such as "Belief", "Chariot", "Meaning", "Follow Through", "I Don't Want To Be, as well as a cover of Leon Russell's "A Song For You". He also has an interview talking about his life and music on the site.

According to DeGraw's official site, he returned to the studio on September 1, 2006 to begin recording his next album. "Gavin DeGraw" was released on May 6, 2008, peaking at #7 on the US Billboard Chart. The first single, "In Love With A Girl" was released on February 5th, 2008. The album also includes fan favorites such as "Cop Stop" that Gavin has been performing on the road for years now.

Discography

Albums

Year Title U.S.NET NOR SWE ITA 2001Gavin Live (indie release) — — — — — 2003 Chariot(Platinum) 103 6 2 21 — 2004 Chariot Stripped56 — — — — 2008 Gavin DeGraw7 — — 13 44

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album U.S.U.S. Pop UK IRE AUS NZ NET ITA NOR SWE2004 "I Don't Want to Be" 10 — 32 25 19 30 9 — 6 15 Chariot 2005 "Chariot" 30 21 114 — — — 12 27 19 — "Follow Through" — 52 — — — — 13 — 12 — 2006 "Just Friends" — — — — — — 21 — — — "We Belong Together" — — — — — — — — — — Gavin DeGraw 2008 "In Love with a Girl" 24 25 — — — — 22 41 — —

Compilations

"We Are the Champions", from the album Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen (2005)
"Jealous Guy", from the album One Tree Hill, Vol. 2: Friends with Benefit (2006)

Awards and nominations

Year Award 2005 Billboard Music Awardnomination for Top Soundtrack Single of the Year ("I Don't Want to Be") 2005 Radio Music Awardnomination for Song of the Year/Mainstream Top 40 Radio ("I Don't Want to Be")