Caleb Hawley

I’m pleased to announce that I took second place in the Telluride Troubadour Songwriting Contest this past week! For most of you who don’t know, this is a nationally recognized songwriter competition for anyone who writes and performs original music and who is not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal. Ah, the advantages of being unsigned! I knew there was some reason for that! With over 500 entries, it was an honor to just be a part of everything. Not to mention I got to see some amazing musicians like Lyle Lovett and Jerry Douglas.

Songwriting contests will always be subjective. Imagine comparing “Let it Be” to “Superstition” – both are amazing songs in their own right, but basically apples and oranges. That being said, all the songwriters I met and heard out there were very talented and would be worth your time to check out. If you have a minute, you can go to http://www.bluegrass.com/telluride/contests.html to find the top 10 finalists.

This past Tuesday night I got to see James Taylor perform with Carole King at Madison Square Garden. The demographic was pretty amazing: 28% middle-aged women with bull-cuts, 70% bald white guys, and the remaining 2% were the product of their reproduction, which I am proud to say included me.

I’ve grown up listening to James Taylor, and at one point believed my dad actually WAS James Taylor… Kind of like Clark Kent is actually Superman. “Sure, Dad… business trips? Yeah right, you’re playing Woodstock and you know it!”
I mean, he plays guitar just like him, sings a lot like him, and even looks like him. And here’s the kicker – they’re both bald. Imagine that! (more…)

I often get asked what I do during the day. Some people tend to think that musicians work at night and then just sleep and eat fruity pebbles during the day. However, this is not true. And I’ve made a video to prove it to you!

In NYC, my latest musical extravaganza has been playing the part of Lady Gaga at a couple of tribute shows. It’s been a lot of fun, but it’s taken a LOT of hard work. First, it’s forced me to listen to her CD from start to finish at least five times, which is the equivalent of 60 hours of construction. Then, I had to learn her dance moves… whew, it’s a hard life.