Sloane M. Perron

Gavin DeGraw is coming to Indian Ranch Amphitheatre in Webster! The famous singer/songwriter has received numerous awards for his work and even received a Grammy nomination for his duet with Colbie Caillat entitled, “We Both Know”. However, audiences will remember DeGraw for chart-topping hits such as “Not Over You”, “I Don’t Want to Be” and “In Love with a Girl”.

While DeGraw has gained fame and notoriety throughout the years, he still has kept himself grounded in his blue-collar roots as he remains dedicated to his craft.

DeGraw spoke about his song-writing process saying, “It varies. It really varies. I tend to write alone but I have written with other people.” As someone who is comfortable being alone or in a crowd, DeGraw has versatile ways of being inspired whether it is bouncing ideas off of one another in a group writing session or finding inspiration in daily life. The inspiration for a song can strike at any time. DeGraw says, “It can really happen anywhere. It can even happen right now as we have a conversation and I will leave myself voice notes.”

Over the years, DeGraw has amassed thousands of notes for possible lyrics. Some songs take 15 minutes to finish while others take years to complete. “You’re always working,” he said. DeGraw said songwriting was like building a house, “It’s like a giant house you started, where you start all the rooms at different times.” Some of the rooms get completed quickly while others take time to be fully renovated and perfected.

When asked if it made him feel vulnerable sharing personal songs he wrote with an audience he said, “There is a little bit of a balance.” DeGraw said that the songs need to be personal enough to be expressive yet he has to becareful to not reveal names or make the situation too specific. For DeGraw, accountability is key in the music he writes. He joked that, “Sometimes I’m held a little bit too accountable and you just want to have fun and take on an alter ego.” In these instances, DeGraw needs to write in a way that is still fun but in a way that audiences do not read too much into it or think his personality has completely changed. However, he is thankful for the support of his fans who always support his lyrics whether they are revealing something personal or just telling an emotive story. “My audience gives me a lot of leeway and creative space,” he said.

Despite all the success and fame, DeGraw still feels humble and just wants to keep pursuing his passion. “I never really thought ‘oh I succeeded’”, he said. “I still feel like I am at the start of my career and trying to get my name out there. It is a constant process.” DeGraw added, “You’re always wondering to yourself how long will this go on? Will I continue to be this lucky?”

There was one moment when DeGraw realized that his music was internationally known that really resonated with him. DeGraw was with his family in Milan when they came across a homeless man with headphones on who was singing to himself in a storefront window. As they walked closer, they realized that the man was singing DeGraw’s song, “Chariot”. DeGraw described this moment as, “Amazing and rewarding.” He thought, “‘Wow, my music is making it around the world’”.

DeGraw has been nominated for a Grammy, performed with some of the biggest names in music, and has sold more than a million records in the United States alone. However, when asked what his greatest life accomplishment was, he answered, “The ability to help my parents retire early.” He said that after watching his parents work their whole life, finally having the financial ability to help them was a major achievement for him. DeGraw said, “There is no feeling like that.”

DeGraw is excited to announce that he is working on a new record. He said about the record, “It is my best yet. This is the closest thing to my heart. I have a lot to say and I say a lot in it.” DeGraw described the new music as, “A little bit more home-grown style.” “Remembering where I am and where I came from.”

On August 10, DeGraw will be performing at the Indian Ranch Amphitheatre in Webster. Eight years ago, DeGraw performed at Indian Ranch during his Sweeter tour and he is excited to be back again experiencing all the “local love” from fans in the area. He said, “[I am] fortunate to be touring this summer going out there and singing my heart out.”

Grab a ticket and head to see this multi-platinum selling singer and songwriter as he performs at one of the region’s best-known music venues.

DeGraw said that he was having fun promoting the tour, but that he was even more excited to, “Play for all the great people in the Indian Ranch territory!”

Gavin DeGraw will be performing on August 10 at 1 p.m. at Indian Ranch Amphitheater located at 200 Gore Road in Webster. Tickets can be purchased online at: indianranch.com/events/gavin-degraw/