By Jeanne Sager
LOS ANGELES, CA — He’s a shining star of Sullivan County, and now Gavin DeGraw will be dancing in them. The stars that is.
Rumors that the 1995 graduate of Fallsburg Central School would be a member of the cast of Season 14 of ABC’s primetime hit Dancing With the Stars were confirmed by the network this week. DeGraw will work with professional dance partner Karina Smirnoff who will train him on the jive, the cha cha, the salsa, and other dances.
Together the stars will face off against a powerful cast that includes the likes of music legend Gladys Knight and child star Melissa Gilbert.
The Sullivan County native represents a deviation for a show that traditionally highlights stars who are past their prime. The 35-year-old’s fourth album was released just last fall, climbing to number 8 on the Billboard charts, powered by ballad “Not Over You,” which went platinum.
He’s still so busy these days, proud dad and manager Wayne DeGraw told the Democrat, he’s juggling Dancing with radio promotions and one-off shows. But he’s counting on friends and family in Sullivan County to be watching when the show premieres on ABC on March 19, and just as importantly to be voting!
Speaking for himself and wife Lynne, Wayne said they’re “proud and excited” for Gavin and would like to “ask for the votes of all his family and friends during the show” to help bring the mirror ball trophy home to Sullivan County.