Gavin Degraw

The son of a prison guard father and detox specialist mother, singer Gavin DeGraw was born Feb. 4, 1977. He grew up in South Fallsburg, NY. DeGraw was musically inclined in high school, playing the saxophone and appearing in high school theater productions.

After high school, DeGraw briefly attended Ithaca College and the Berklee School of Music before deciding to pursue his musical ambitions in NYC. He was soon discovered by Clive Davis and signed with J Records.

His first album, Chariot, was released in the summer of 2003, and by 2004 the single “I Don’t Want to Be” was a Top 10 hit. The track is also the theme song for the hit TV show One Tree Hill.

Five years after releasing his debut album, DeGraw released a self-titled sophomore album and had success with the hit single “In Love With a Girl.” (The music video featured MTV reality star Kristin Cavallari). DeGraw’s other albums include Free and Sweeter. 

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The musician was also a contestant on season 14 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.