- Gavin DeGraw is an American singer-songwriter
- He turns 47 years old today
- HERE is a look back at his great career
Gavin DeGraw didn't just walk into the limelight—he slid in with a platinum-selling album and a voice that captured the hearts of millions! His 2003 album 'Chariot' may have taken its sweet time climbing the charts, but when it did, it was a game-changer, solidifying DeGraw as the voice of a generation.
Gavin's voice is unique as his style
Every great career has a start somewhere, and for Gavin, things weren't always easy in this business.
He was born in South Fallsburg, New York to Lynne DeGraw and Wayne DeGraw. He has older siblings, Neeka DeGraw and Joey DeGraw who were musicians. He began singing and playing piano at the age of eight. He has two older siblings, a sister Neeka, and a brother, Joey, also a musician.
As a teenager Gavin played in a local Catskills group called The People's Band with fellow local musicians: Steven Levine on vocals, as well as his brother, Joey DeGraw. The band played many of the local hotels and clubs around the Monticello area. It was at his brother's advice that he began writing his own songs
The turning point: "I Don't Want to Be." It was the anthem that defined an era! "I Don't Want to Be" not only became the soul-stirring theme song for the hit WB drama 'One Tree Hill' but also a top ten hit that had fans swooning. DeGraw's stage presence?
Unforgettable! As the Boston Globe's Joan Anderman put it, he's "bawdy and humble and raw and adorable and a fearless singer."
Born into a family where music flowed as freely as water, DeGraw's early years in South Fallsburg were steeped in the sounds of Billy Joel and Elton John.
His parents strummed guitars, his grandfather was a one-man band, and family reunions were nothing short of a country music festival. By 15, after a Billy Joel concert, DeGraw was hooked, and the piano became his best friend.
After a brief stint in academia, DeGraw (the rebel with a cause) ditched the classroom for the gritty streets of Manhattan. Waiting tables by day and crooning in bars by night, he was the epitome of the struggling artist—until Clive Davis stepped in. With a handful of songs and a heart full of dreams, DeGraw landed a deal with J Records, and the rest is history.
'Chariot' was more than an album; it was a declaration of DeGraw's versatility. With rock tunes, love anthems, and soulful ballads, it showcased his songwriting genius. The acoustic version, 'Chariot Stripped,' peeled back the layers, revealing the raw emotion that DeGraw's fans live for.
On June 18, 2013, DeGraw released the first single from his fifth studio album, 'Best I Ever Had'. And then Degraw's fifth, and most recent studio album, 'Make a Move', was released October 15, 2013. During that year, he supported Train across their series of US shows; The Script also appeared in several of those shows.
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All in all, Gavin has managed to make himself memorable to all of those who have heard him perform. And on top of everything else, he is also a trendsetter and fashionista.
Let's talk about the hats! Whether it's a baseball cap or a fedora, DeGraw's headwear has become as iconic as his music. It's not just a fashion statement; it's a practical choice for a man who'd rather spend time on melodies than hair gel.
With his sights set on emulating his idol, Billy Joel, DeGraw's future is as bright as his talent. And with a discography that speaks for itself, who's to say he won't be the next legend whose songs echo through the halls of time?
