On paper, Caleb Hawley’s resume reads as the standard Who’s Who for up-and-coming songwriters. Then you hear him sing, and you realize there is only one word needed to describe this artist: Extraordinary.
From his ability to write intricate lyrics with cutting-edge chords to his lightening fast licks and ear for taste and style, there is absolutely nothing average about this shaggy-haired, blue-eyed, multi-faceted musician. Receiving top honors in the prestigious New York Songwriters Circle Contest (2008 and 2009), the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (2009), the Telluride Festival (2010), the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (2010), and Rocky Mountain Folks Fest (2011) for his songwriting, he also has a voice to place him in the final fifty on the 2011 American Idol Season. Hawley is as aggressive as he is perseverant in advancing his art and impressing audiences with his unique and catchy approach to music.
Sharing the stage with industry greats such as Mark Cohn, Rusted Root, Dave Matthews Band, Shawn Mullins, and Edwin McCain, this diverse songwriter has written and produced three albums and toured all over the country playing sold-out venues and nationwide festivals. Though his initial passion simply began with a guitar and a love for a wide variety of music from Metallica to Martin Sexton, it was shortly after graduating Berklee College of Music with a degree in jazz composition that Caleb discovered a knack for song writing. He quickly made his way to New York City to pursue his newfound ambitions.
While lyrically influenced by observational writers such as Randy Newman and Tom Waits, Hawley is also well known for his outstanding vocal capacity and range. The humble performer captivates audiences with soothing folk tunes in the same manner as James Taylor, and with the next breath blows them away with his powerhouse of soul, likened to that of Stevie Wonder. Audiences leave a Caleb Hawley show with a permanent grin, a heart full of laughter, and a tune to hum the whole way home.
Approaching his art from the purest of places, Caleb is engaging in his awe-inspiring talent, his genuine love for music and his unsurpassed work ethic that has set him on a road destined for enormous success. Maintaining a thoroughly entertaining presence on every stage he steps foot on, Hawley continues to thrill fans from New York to L.A. He is respected by fellow musicians and audiences alike for his genuine spirit, natural abilities, and heart of gold, making this small town Midwestern boy a role model for every young musician who started out with just a dollar and a dream.
~Christina Morelli, NYC Art Scene
———– Old Version (Historians and stalkers only) ———–
Caleb Hawley has always wanted to be a professional Baseball player. However, life did not grant him big muscles and outstanding eye contact. Instead, he was dealt the gift of fast fingers and massive vocal chords. After sadly realizing his circumstances, he set off to be a musician.
At 12, he learned his first Nirvana song on guitar. Due to the overwhelming response from the seventh grade girls, he decided to learn more. First Metallica, next Pink Floyd. Then Dave Mathews or whatever else made people like him. Soon Caleb was the youngest bar hopper in Minneapolis, performing for “old people” all over the city.
A few years later, college came. He decided to head out to Boston and attend Berklee College of Music. He received a degree in Jazz Composition and was sent off to make a living in music, or in other words, die.
He had to move fast, before his college loans got the better of him, so he re-located to New York City and in July of 2007, released his debut CD, “Greatest Hits”.
Since then he, along with his dog Fargo, have traveled miles upon miles performing at clubs, colleges, and festivals all over the country. In journey, he has had the opportunity to share the stage with other artists including Dave Mathews, Marc Cohn, Shawn Mullins, and Rusted Root. Top awards include the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (’09) and the New York Songwriters Circle Contest (’08, ’09). Hawley released a sophomore CD entitled “Steps” in October, 2009. Things are moving along, but he still hopes to be baseball player someday.