Cameron Hawthorn
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Cameron Hawthorn
| birth_place = United States
| origin = Andover, Kansas
| genre = {{hlist|Country|Americana|Pop|Electronic}}
| occupation = {{hlist|singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2017–present
| label = Independent
| website = {{URL|https://www.cameronhawthorn.com/}}
}}
Cameron Hawthorn is an American singer and songwriter. Rooted in the country genre, his music blends in elements of pop, americana, and electronic dance music.{{Cite web |last=ChloeRobinson |date=2020-09-07 |title=Cameron Hawthorn is the country gay icon we all need |url=https://celebmix.com/cameron-hawthorn-is-the-country-gay-icon-we-all-need/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=CelebMix |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Release |first=Press |date=2019-07-20 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Goes From 'Dancing' to 'Oh Hot Damn!' In His New Single |url=https://www.thecountrynote.com/in-the-news/cameron-hawthorn-goes-from-dancing-to-oh-hot-damn-in-his-new-single/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=The Country Note |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2020-09-05 |title=Interview with Cameron Hawthorn {{!}} Hometown Country Music |url=https://www.hometowncountrymusic.com/interview-with-cameron-hawthorn/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=www.hometowncountrymusic.com |language=en-US}}
He's best known for his country single "Dancing in the Living Room", and its pro-LGBTQ+ music video which were met with positive reviews by country and LGBTQ+ music outlets alike.{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Nick |date=2019-03-10 |title=Country singer Cameron Hawthorn comes out in powerful music video |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/03/10/country-singer-cameron-hawthorn-comes-out-music-video/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=PinkNews {{!}} Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news {{!}} LGBTQ+ news |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Matt |date=2019-03-11 |title=Cameron Hawthorn uses new music video to come out as gay |url=https://www.gaytimes.com/life/country-singer-cameron-hawthorn-uses-new-music-video-to-come-out-as-gay/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=GAY TIMES |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Country Singer Cameron Hawthorn Comes Out Via His New Video |url=https://www.advocate.com/music/2019/3/08/country-singer-cameron-hawthorn-comes-out-his-new-video |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=www.advocate.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=B. W. M. |date=2019-03-11 |title=Country Singer Cameron Hawthorn Comes Out in Stunning Music Video |url=https://bearworldmag.com/country-singer-cameron-hawthorn-comes-out-in-stunning-music-video/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Bear World Magazine |language=en-GB}}
Hawthorn has released two extended plays, and several stand-alone singles, all his work has been released independently. He has collaborated with musicians Bright Light Bright Light, Byron Hill, and Goldfish.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEjCjv38XTo |title=Cameron Hawthorn x Bright Light Bright Light - Country Boy Two-Step (Official Audio) |date=2022-09-19 |last=Cameron Hawthorn |access-date=2025-01-08 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |last=Delores |first=Bee |date=2023-06-26 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Lights Up Lonely Spaces with ‘Lone Star’ (Review) |url=https://countrypolitanmag.com/2023/06/26/cameron-hawthorn-lights-up-lonely-spaces-with-lone-star-review/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Countrypolitan Magazine |language=en-US}}
Music career
= Early Life =
Cameron Hawthorn was born in Andover, Kansas. His family is originally from Oklahoma. Hawthorn has expressed being into music from a young age, saying: "I grew up on Country music."{{Cite web |date=2019-04-04 |title=INTERVIEW: Cameron Hawthorn |url=https://www.musicmusingsandsuch.com/musicmusingsandsuch/2019/4/4/interview-cameron-hawthorn |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Music Musings & Such |language=en-US}} He stated in interviews for The Property Lovers and Music Musings & Such that he "grew up doing a lot of musical theater and learned piano pretty young" and that he started songwriting when he was in high-school.{{Cite web |last=PJ and Thomas McKay |date=2019-04-26 |title=Feature Friday with Cameron Hawthorn |url=https://www.pjandthomas.com/blog/2019/4/25/featurefriday-with-cameron-hawthorn |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=The Property Lovers |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Megloranzo |first=Janeen |date=2020-09-08 |title=Exclusive: Getting to Know Cameron Hawthorn |url=https://www.thecountrynote.com/exclusives/interviews/exclusive-getting-to-know-cameron-hawthorn/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=The Country Note |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-05-13 |title=Cameron Hawthorn: Boy Discovered - Rage Monthly Magazine |url=https://www.ragemonthly.com/cameron-hawthorn/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |language=en-US}}
= 2017-2020: Debut and ''Mustang'' =
Before starting his career as a solo artist in 2017, he worked as a songwriter for visual media in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-12 |title=On 'Mustang,' Cameron Hawthorn Proves He's Not Your Everyday Country Cowboy |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/country-music-cameron-hawthorn-mustang-ep_n_5f810bcec5b6e5c31ffe8c2a |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Howdy |first=Dixiedee |date=2017-04-07 |title=Cameron Hawthorn~ Artist Spotlight!! |url=https://dixiedeeblog.com/2017/04/07/cameron-hawthorn-artist-spotlight/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en}} Hawthorn uploaded on his YouTube channel a music video for his first song "Mama's Love" on May 9, 2017.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8I6GNQ0_hg |title=Cameron Hawthorn - Mama's Love |date=2017-05-09 |last=Cameron Hawthorn |access-date=2025-02-04 |via=YouTube}} The song was included on his self-titled debut extended play, which was self-released on November 17, of the same year.{{Citation |title=Cameron Hawthorn - Single by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music |date=2017-11-17 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/cameron-hawthorn-single/1313626401 |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Howdy |first=Dixiedee |date=2017-04-07 |title=Cameron Hawthorn~ Q & A!! |url=https://dixiedeeblog.com/2017/04/07/cameron-hawthorn-q-a/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en}}
His big breakthrough came out with the release of his 2019 single "Dancing in the Living Room", the song and its music video received critical praise, and coverage from both queer and country media outlets.{{Cite web |last=Slovacek |first=Randy |date=2020-10-20 |title=The Breakout Country Artist Flexes Musical Muscle With Swagger & Sensitivity - Instinct Magazine |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/the-breakout-country-artist-flexes-musical-muscle-with-swagger-sensitivity/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Release |first=Press |date=2020-09-04 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Shares a Piece of his Journey Before Coming Out In New Single "To Break Hers" |url=https://www.thecountrynote.com/in-the-news/cameron-hawthorn-shares-a-piece-of-his-journey-before-coming-out-in-new-single-to-break-hers/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=The Country Note |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Nick |date=2019-03-10 |title=Country singer Cameron Hawthorn comes out in powerful music video |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/03/10/country-singer-cameron-hawthorn-comes-out-music-video/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=PinkNews {{!}} Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news {{!}} LGBTQ+ news |language=en-US}} His follow-up single "Oh Hot Damn!" was released as a single on April 30, along with a remix by electronic dance duo Goldfish.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-01 |title=Country Artist Cameron Hawthorn Eyes Boot-Stomping Cowboy In 'Oh Hot Damn!' Video |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cameron-hawthorn-oh-hot-damn-music-video_n_5d82a8e9e4b0957256b0d1f4 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} His follow-up single "To Break Hers" was released on September 4. Both tracks received positive reviews.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-04 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Offers Personal Apology on New Single “To Break Hers” |url=https://procountrymusic.com/2020/09/04/cameron-hawthorn-offers-personal-apology-on-new-single-to-break-hers/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Pro Country |language=en}}
On October 9, Hawthorn released his second extended play, titled Mustang which includes the singles "Dancing in the Living Room", "To Break Hers" and "Oh Hot Damn!". The EP was met with positive reviews by music critics, who praised Hawthorn's persona, and storytelling.{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=James |date=2020-10-20 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Channels His Inner Mustang • Country Queer |url=https://countryqueer.com/stories/interview/cameron-hawthorn-channels-his-inner-mustang/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Country Queer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sorties |first=Selection |title=Cameron Hawthorn - Mustang |url=https://www.selectionsorties.net/2020/10/cameron-hawthorn-mustang.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Sélection Sorties |language=fr}}{{Cite web |last=Klonowski |first=Laura |date=2020-10-10 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Releases Debut EP ‘Mustang’ |url=https://musicandtournews.com/cameron-hawthorn-releases-debut-ep-mustang/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Music and Tour News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Rising Country Star Cameron Hawthorn Releases Outstanding Debut EP ‘Mustang’ [Review] – Culture Fix |url=https://www.culturefix.co.uk/?p=12839 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.culturefix.co.uk}} Z-side's of Medium stated that Hawthorn "take(s) note from the macho man feeling of similar songs from the past, but with a clear twist thats refreshing to hear."{{Cite web |last=Reviews |first=Z.-side's Music |date=2021-10-20 |title=Cameron Hawthorn — Mustang E.P. (Review) |url=https://medium.com/modern-music-analysis/cameron-hawthorn-mustang-e-p-review-d5ede4c50357 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Modern Music Analysis |language=en}}
= 2021-2023: Stand-alone singles =
On 2021, Hawthorn released two stand-alone singles: "Love at First Sight" was released alongside its visualizer on August 26,{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Queer Forty |date=2021-10-04 |title=Cameron Hawthorn releases single 'Love At First Sight' and stunning video |url=https://queerforty.com/country-singer-cameron-hawthorn-comes-out-in-stunning-music-video |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Queer Forty |language=en-US}} and "Dreamland" on October 8, and its music video on November 12.{{Cite web |last=Slovacek |first=Randy |date=2021-11-14 |title=Out Music: Cameron Hawthorn Sends Romantic Regards From 'Dreamland' |url=https://therandyreport.com/out-music-cameron-hawthorn-sends-romantic-regards-from-dreamland/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Randy Report |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Cameron Hawthorn |first=@cmrnhwthrn |date=12 November 2021 |title=‘Dreamland’ video out now ☁️🌾 I wanted to give you a real glimpse into my happy place that I’m singing about in this song that’s so close to my heart. |url=https://x.com/cmrnhwthrn/status/1459206079879991298?mx=2 |website=X}} On 2022, he released two singles: "Nothing Like a Cowboy" on April 22, and "Country Boy Two-Steps" on August 12, which became his first collaboration with Welsh singer-songwriter Bright Light Bright Light, and his first song to feature dance music elements.{{Citation |title=Country Boy Two-Step - Single by Cameron Hawthorn & Bright Light Bright Light on Apple Music |date=2022-08-12 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/country-boy-two-step-single/1638624053 |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en-US}}
On 2023, Hawthorn released three singles: an original track titled "Lone Star" on May 19, and two covers: "Desperado" a cover of the Eagles song on June 23, and "Spell on You" on October 27, which is a cover of "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins.{{Cite web |last=Delores |first=Bee |date=2023-06-26 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Lights Up Lonely Spaces with ‘Lone Star’ (Review) |url=https://countrypolitanmag.com/2023/06/26/cameron-hawthorn-lights-up-lonely-spaces-with-lone-star-review/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Countrypolitan Magazine |language=en-US}}
= 2024-present: New music and upcoming debut album =
On 2024, Hawthorn started teasing music from his upcoming debut album with the singles "Outlaw", "Natural", and "Midnight Rider".{{Cite web |last=Delores |first=Bee |date=2024-10-08 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Calls Out Bigots With 'Natural' (Review) |url=https://countrypolitanmag.com/2024/10/08/cameron-hawthorn-calls-out-bigots-with-natural-review/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Countrypolitan Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Slovacek |first=Randy |date=2024-11-09 |title=New Music: Cameron Hawthorn Wants A 'Midnight Rider' |url=https://therandyreport.com/new-music-cameron-hawthorn-wants-a-midnight-rider/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Randy Report |language=en-US}} All three singles were met with positive reviews for its blend of country with electronic dance music.{{Cite web |title=Cameron Hawthorn Fuses Country and Electronic Dancepop on New Single ‘Outlaw’ – Culture Fix |url=https://www.culturefix.co.uk/?p=30585 |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=www.culturefix.co.uk}}{{Cite web |last=Delores |first=Bee |date=2024-11-15 |title=Cameron Hawthorn Calls You Away With 'Midnight Rider' (Review) |url=https://countrypolitanmag.com/2024/11/15/cameron-hawthorn-calls-you-away-with-midnight-rider-review/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Countrypolitan Magazine |language=en-US}} He confirmed that his debut album is set to release on early 2025.{{Cite web |last=Cameron Hawthorn |first=@cmrnhwthrn |date=25 November 2024 |title=Cameron Hawthorn on Instagram: "I’m beyond excited to finally tell you I’ve been working on an album that will come out early 2025. It’s been a ✧ journey ✧ getting to this point, but I’m creating music that gets me buzzing and I have been feeling the call to do an album for quite some time. Thank you for all of the love and support thus far. It pumps me up to hear that you’re vibing with the new music, and I can’t wait to share more of the story with you ❤️" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DCz1dmLymgA/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Instagram}} On December 20, Hawthorn released "Wildflower", an original song written for the Apple TV+ film F.L.Y.{{Cite web |last=@cmrnhwthrn |first=Cameron Hawthorn |date=19 December 2024 |title=also very exciting because the beautiful film i wrote ‘wildflower’ for comes out at midnight. pre-order F.L.Y. now: |url=https://x.com/cmrnhwthrn/status/1869836378852471275 |website=X}} On January 31, he released a new single titled, "Only Love".{{Citation |title=ONLY LOVE - Single by Cameron Hawthorn on Apple Music |date=2025-01-31 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/only-love-single/1791610924 |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=en-US}}
Personal life
{{Quote box
| quote = " A few of them must not have seen eye-to-eye because the friendships fizzled after I came out to them. It was tough to deal with at the time, but I learned who my true friends were and who loves me for me."https://www.pjandthomas.com/blog/2019/4/25/featurefriday-with-cameron-hawthorn
| author = Hawthorn on losing friends after coming out
| source = PJ and Thomas of The Property Lovers
| align = right
| width = 300px
}}
Hawthorn is gay. He came out to his family and friends at the age of 27. According the singer, his family was and "still is super accepting" and "loving" of his sexual orientation, he did lost friends after coming out, which he described as something "tough to deal with at the time".{{Cite web |date=2019-03-11 |title=Country Singer Cameron Hawthorn Addresses His Sexuality In New Video |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cameron-hawthorn-dancing-in-the-living-room_n_5c854c67e4b08d5b7862cb7b |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=PJ and Thomas McKay |date=2019-04-26 |title=Feature Friday with Cameron Hawthorn |url=https://www.pjandthomas.com/blog/2019/4/25/featurefriday-with-cameron-hawthorn |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=The Property Lovers |language=en-US}}
Hawthorn publicly came out on 2018, a year after his music debut, to his Instagram followers after seeing the film Boy Erased. On 2019, the music video for "Dancing in the Living Room" which features Hawthorn dancing with a male partner, earned huge coverage and positive feedback from country and LGBTQ+ music outlets alike, with many praising Hawthorn and the single for their progressive input in country music, since the genre is known for holding conservative views.{{Cite web |date=2019-03-11 |title=Country Singer Cameron Hawthorn Addresses His Sexuality In New Video |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cameron-hawthorn-dancing-in-the-living-room_n_5c854c67e4b08d5b7862cb7b |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Stroude |first=Will |date=2019-03-11 |title=Country singer Cameron Hawthorn comes out as gay in new music video - WATCH |url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/country-singer-cameron-hawthorn-comes-out-as-gay-in-new-music-video-watch-298430/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Attitude |language=en-GB}}
Discography
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+List of extended plays with selected details ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Details !Ref. |
| scope="row" |Cameron Hawthorn
|
|
|---|
| scope="row" |Mustang
|
|
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles, showing year released, and originating album ! scope="col" style="width:19em;" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:1em;" |Year ! scope="col" style="width:22em;" |Album !Ref. |
| scope="row" |"Road Trip"
| rowspan="3" |2017 | rowspan="3" |Cameron Hawthorn |
|---|
| scope="row" |"Take Me to the Water" |
| scope="row" |"Mama's Love" |
| scope="row" |"Dancing in the Living Room"
|2019 | rowspan="3" |Mustang |
| scope="row" |"Oh Hot Damn!" (solo or Goldhouse Remix) | rowspan="3" |2020 |
| scope="row" |"To Break Hers" |
| scope="row" |"Cowboy Take Me Away"
| rowspan="8" {{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" |"Love at First Sight"
| rowspan="2" |2021 |
| scope="row" |"Dreamland" |
| scope="row" |"Nothing Like a Cowboy"
| rowspan="2" |2022 |
| scope="row" |"Country Boy Two-Step" (with Bright Light Bright Light) |
| scope="row" |"Lone Star"
| rowspan="3" |2023 |
| scope="row" |"Desperado" |
| scope="row" |"Spell on You" |
| scope="row" |"Outlaw"
| rowspan="4" |2024 | rowspan="6" {{TBA}} |
| scope="row" |"Natural" |
| scope="row" |"Midnight Rider" |
| scope="row" |"Wildflower" (from the film F.L.Y.) |
| scope="row" |"Only Love"
| rowspan="2" |2025 |
| scope="row" |"Kindred Spirit" |
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of music videos, showing year released, and director ! scope="col" style="width:19em;" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:1em;" |Year !Director !Ref. |
| scope="row" |"Mama's Love"
|2017 |{{n/a}} |
|---|
| scope="row" |"Dancing in the Living Room"
|2019 |Cameron Hawthorn & Kelsy Karter |
| scope="row" |"Oh Hot Damn!"
| rowspan="3" |2020 |Cameron Hawthorn |
| scope="row" |"To Break Hers"
|Quinton Cook |
| scope="row" |"Cowboy Take Me Away"
|{{n/a}} |
| scope="row" |"Love at First Sight"
| rowspan="2" |2021 |Noel Maitland & Cameron Hawthorn |
| scope="row" |"Dreamland"
| rowspan="4" {{n/a}} |
| scope="row" |"Lone Star"
|2023 |
| scope="row" |"Outlaw"
| rowspan="2" |2024 |
| scope="row" |"Natural" |
References
External links
- [https://www.cameronhawthorn.com/ Official website]
- [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cameron-hawthorn/1214398346 Cameron Hawthorn] on Apple Music
- [http://instagram.com/cmrnhwthrn Cameron Hawthorn] on Instagram
- [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4pffLuF7STrHB1qQl6N1MQ Cameron Hawthorn] on Spotify
- [http://x.com/cmrnhwthrn Cameron Hawthorn] on Twitter
- [http://tiktok.com/cmrnhwthrn Cameron Hawthorn] on TikTok
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZLPXcKyQwbzqPsFylmaMXQ Cameron Hawthorn] on YouTube
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawthorn, Cameron}}
Category:21st-century American male singers
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:American country singer-songwriters
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American LGBTQ singer-songwriters
Category:Country musicians from Kansas
Category:Electronic dance music musicians
Category:Gay singer-songwriters
Category:Queer singer-songwriters