Gavin DeGraw is an American singer-songwriter from South Fallsburg, New York. He is born in 1977 and begins singing and playing piano at the age of eight. He attends Berklee College of Music in the same year as John Mayer.

Early releases

In 2001, DeGraw releases his first album independently, Gavin Live. His first major studio album, Chariot, follows in 2003. It is later reworked as Chariot Stripped, which presents the same songs with a minimal arrangement. Chariot reaches number one in Denmark and on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, number two in Norway and number 56 on the Billboard 200, and it is certified Platinum.

Breakthrough singles

The lead single from Chariot, “I Don’t Want To Be,” is released in December 2004 and becomes the theme tune to the television drama One Tree Hill. It reaches number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, number three on the Billboard Pop 100, number six in Norway and number 38 in the UK, making it his only UK top 40 hit. The song is certified 2x Platinum and sells over two million copies. “Chariot” reaches number one on the Italian Airplay chart and number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Follow Through” appears on TV shows including Scrubs and is also used by the ice cream company Carte D’or. It reaches number 12 in Norway, number 13 in Holland, number 38 in Portugal and number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Just Friends” is the final single from the album and reaches number 21 in Holland.

Later albums

His self-titled second album, Gavin DeGraw, is released in 2008 and debuts at number seven on the US Billboard 200. It also reaches number three in Denmark, number eight in Norway and number 13 in Sweden. “We Belong Together” appears on the soundtrack to Tristan & Isolde and reaches number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. “In Love With A Girl” reaches number five on Billboard’s Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks, number 22 in Holland, number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 32 in Canada. “She Holds A Key” reaches number 29 in Holland, while “Cheated On Me” reaches number 77 on the Billboard Pop 100. “I Have You To Thank” is the final single from the album.

Free follows in 2009 and is made in less than two weeks. It enters the Billboard 200 at number 19. The first single, “Stay,” is released through the internet. Sweeter is released in 2011 and leads to the single “Not Over You,” which reaches number 18 on the Hot 100 and is certified double platinum by the RIAA. “Sweeter” reaches number 18 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Songs chart, and “Soldier” is the final single from the album. A live album, Sweeter Live, is issued in 2012 and features songs from Sweeter and earlier material.

Style and activity

DeGraw is associated with pop, pop rock and singer-songwriter music, and his work is also tagged as rock, alternative and acoustic rock. He is connected with the We Are Family Collective.