Laney High School got a special visitor on the 8th of November as part of being the winner of Office Depot’s “Great Tunes to Start School” sweepstakes. Gavin DeGraw, a recording artist best known for the song “I Don’t Want to Be,” which is the opening theme for the popular teen drama One Tree Hill, came to Laney to perform a live concert in the gymnasium as part of the winning prize package. The concert was free to all staff and students, who even got a bag of goodies on the way in. Each person got a blue frameless bookbag containing a two color highlighter, a pen, a pack of sticky notes, a bag of unpopped popcorn, a flash drive, and a CD. Most people just got a blank writable CD, but a few lucky others got Gavin DeGraw’s Chariot album instead. Those who received this album got to stay after the show to meet DeGraw in person. After a short introduction by Office Depot officials, Gavin Degraw himself walked onstage in a dark coat countered by his white hat. Cell phones and cameras shot up from the mass of students near the stage to capture pictures and video of the event. He performed all of his songs while playing a piano, which served as the only instrumental backup to his singing. He stopped to take requests occasionally, with a very energetic crowd screaming and singing along. “I Don’t Want to Be” served as the finale before the concert drew to a close. Many students stuck around in the breezeway after the concert in an attempt to meet DeGraw, or to wait for friends who found the album in their bags to come back out. After the concert, The Galleon’s own Shayla McMillan, Jasmine Taylor, and Victor Westbrook managed to get a few interview questions in.

1.

What inspired you to become a musician?

I like the way it sounded. My dad is a musician.

2.

How did you feel when your song was chosen for One Tree Hill’s theme?

Hesitant at first; I wasn’t sure what others would think of my TV affiliations, but then decided I didn’t care what others thought.

3.

Of the songs you’ve written, which is your favorite?

I don’t have a favorite. My songs are like children; it doesn’t seem fair to the others to pick a favorite.

4.

How do you prepare for concerts?

I don’t; I don’t have a ritual.

5.

What was your first impression of Laney?

Much nicer than my school.

6.

How long have you been singing?

Forever; since I was 13.

7.

Given the choice, would you perform here at Laney in the future?

Of course! When are you hiring?

8.

What advice would you have for someone that would like to follow in your footsteps?

Be a doctor.