Gavin DeGraw

This article is about the singer. For the singer's self-titled album, see Gavin DeGraw (album).

Gavin DeGraw
DeGraw on a promotional tour at Radio Pilatus in Lucerne, Switzerland, June 9, 2009.
Background information
Birth name	Gavin Shane DeGraw
Born	(1977-02-04) February 4, 1977 South Fallsburg, New York, United States
Genres	Blue-eyed soul, pop rock and rock
Occupation(s)	Musician and Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)	Guitar, piano and vocals
Years active	Since 2001
Labels	J Records
Website	gavindegraw.com

Gavin Shane DeGraw (born February 4, 1977) is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is known for his songs "Chariot", "Follow Through", "I Don't Want to Be" (which is featured as the theme song for the television drama series One Tree Hill (since 2003)), and "In Love with a Girl".

Early life

DeGraw grew up in the Catskills in South Fallsburg, New York. His father was a prison guard and his mother was a detox specialist, which he mentions in his song "I Don't Want to Be". He is mostly of Russian and Irish ancestry. DeGraw began singing and playing piano at the age of eight. He also has two siblings, both older, named Neeka and Joey (born August 1973). It was at his brother's advice that he began writing his own songs. Joey DeGraw is a musician as well, currently touring to promote his own music.

Career

Originally, DeGraw started in Manhattan clubs alongside local pianists Andrew West and Lenny Revell, drawing several of his home town fans. He got 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, Canadian Idol, Idol Sweden, and Idol Norway 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.

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 including 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. DeGraw has toured with such acts as Sister Hazel, Barenaked Ladies, Howie Day, Michael Tolcher, Butterfly Boucher, The Allman Brothers Band, Marc Broussard, Saving Jane, Jason Mraz and Maroon 5.

At the Des Moines Arts Festival on 27 June 2009

He and his brother opened The National Underground in December 2007, a New York City music venue that is a roots rock Americana music bar located in Manhattan's Lower East Side, at 159 East Houston Street between Allen Street and Eldridge Street. The venue offers music, food, and drink. The idea for the venue came about because the brothers wanted a place where they could hang out on a regular basis, and where other musicians could come in and listen and learn. "We were picky about the quality of musicians that played there," Gavin DeGraw says. "We wanted a place where the players were so good, other musicians were like, 'Wow! I really respect what they're doing.'"

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 5, 2008. The second U.S. single "Cheated On Me" was released in September 2008, while the rest of the world saw the release of "She Holds a Key". The worldwide third single is "I Have You to Thank".

Gavin Degraw's third album, Free was released March 31, 2009. DeGraw made Free in less than two weeks at the Brooklyn studio of his producer Camus Celli. The first single, "Stay", was released through DeGraw's website on March 11.

DeGraw's song "Follow Through" (from his 2003 album release Chariot) was featured on an advert for Carte D'or ice cream in both the UK and Italy from 2008 to 2010.

DeGraw's song "More Than Anyone" (also from the album Chariot), was featured on an episode of the television series What I Like About You.

DeGraw's next album Sweeter was set to release on August 9 but got pushed back to September 20 and will feature tracks co-written with other artists. The first single "Not Over You" was released on iTunes in June. The track was co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder.

DeGraw will be touring the U.S. as a supporting/opening act for Maroon 5 and Train over July and August 2011.

Personal life

On August 8, 2011, DeGraw was hospitalized after being assaulted by several persons in New York City. Police said a group of men attacked DeGraw early Sunday morning at 6th Street and First Avenue in the East Village, near The National Underground. He suffered a broken nose, a concussion, two black eyes and lacerations to his face. Only minutes after the attack, DeGraw was then struck by a taxi. He was admitted to Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital Center for treatment. He had to cancel his scheduled August 9 performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, located in Saratoga, New York.

Band Members

Current

• Billy Norris – guitar, background vocals (since 2009)
• Ian O'Neill – drums, background vocals (since 2011)

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• Tony Tino – bass (since 2009)
• Jimmy Wallace – keyboards, acoustic guitar, vocals (2007–2008, since 2011)

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Previous

• Johnny "Tsunami" Andrews – guitar, background vocals
• Joey DeGraw – guitar, background vocals
• Brian Dennis – guitar, background vocals
• Matt Flynn – drums
• Joey "Coach" Hanna – drums, background vocals

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• Rodney Howard – drums
• Whynot Jansveld – bass, background vocals
• Alvin Moody – bass, background vocals
• Casey Twist – bass, background vocals
• Jimmy Wallace – organ, keyboards, background vocals

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Discography

Albums

Year	Title	Peak chart positions
		U.S.	NED	NOR	SWE	ITA	SWI	DEN
2001	Gavin Live (indie release)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	Chariot	103	6	—	—	43	48	1
2004	Chariot (Stripped)	56	—	2	21	—	—	—
2008	Gavin DeGraw	7	8	35	13	44	23	3
2008	iTunes: Live from Soho (EP)	167	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009	Free	19	76	—	—	—	96	29
2011	Sweeter	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions											Album
		US Hot 100	US Pop 100	US Adult	UK	IRE	AUS	NZ	NED	ITA	NOR	SWE
2003	"Follow Through"	—	—	27	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Chariot
2004	"I Don't Want to Be"	10	3	9	32	25	19	30	9	—	6	15
2005	"Chariot"	30	21	5	—	—	—	—	12	27	19	—
	"Follow Through" [re-release]	111	52	22	—	—	—	—	13	—	12	—
2006	"Just Friends"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	21	—	—	—
	"We Belong Together"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Gavin DeGraw
2008	"In Love with a Girl"	24	20	5	—	—	—	—	22	41	—	—
	"She Holds a Key"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	29	—	—	—
	"Cheated on Me"	—	—	30	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009	"I Have You to Thank"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Stay"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Free
2011	"Not Over You"	96	—	21	—	—	—	10	14	—	—	—	Sweeter

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)
• "Follow Through", from the album Bath and Body Works, PS: I Love You (2009)

Awards and nominations

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

See also

• List of Berklee College of Music alumni
• List of Ithaca College alumni

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• List of people from New York
• List of singer-songwriters

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References

• Billboard Artist Chart History - retrieved March 15, 2009.

External links

• gavindegraw.com, DeGraw's official website
• Gavin DeGraw at IMDb
• Gavin DeGraw collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
• Music videos at AOL Video
• Exclusive Gavin DeGraw Interviews at OurStage.com