Belleville East grad Gavin M will debut at the Grammy Awards — and he needs your vote

Like many other singer-songwriters, Gavin McNutt has used setbacks as inspiration for his music. Only now, that personal growth has led to a new direction and the opportunity of a lifetime.

McNutt, who goes by Gavin M. as his artist name, is one of four finalists in a nationwide contest for a new Lincoln SUV car commercial. The finalists’ songs will be debuted during the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26. The winner is based on votes received through the website, www.chartyourcourse.com.

Voting, allowed once a day, continues now through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Jan. 26. His song, “Old and Young Soul, Tonight,” and a brief look at him, filmed in St. Louis, is on the site.

For the Lincoln Corsair marketing campaign, they wanted a new song and a fresh face.

“Through Chart Your Course, Lincoln wants to find an artist, and then help take their career to the next level, by providing resources like recording studio time at the renowned Capitol Studios, access to industry mentors, being the voice and face of the next Corsair campaign, and of course, having the all-new Corsair, Lincoln’s new small luxury SUV, as a partner on their journey. Now the public will determine the winner,” Lincoln stated.

McNutt, 32, found out about the contest last fall, as he was scrolling through his social media news feed.

“The ad had a photo of a guitarist with the words ‘Are You Ready?’” he said.

McNutt answered that with a submission and was notified in mid-November he was among the four finalists selected out of more than 1,600 entries. The panel of judges included Jon Baptiste, bandleader of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and representatives from Universal Music Group and Revel.

Besides McNutt, which Lincoln described as a “passionate traveler who sings stories from the road,” the other finalists are:

• Anna Field from Atlanta, “the yogi who touches souls through her sound.”
• Cas Haley from Paris, Texas, “the family man who grows folk songs on his little farm.”
• Edem Garro from Omaha, Nebraska, “the quirky harpist who’s making her mark as a music teacher.”

The good news also came with a film crew coming to St. Louis to produce a brief bio, using local imagery and performance footage. Sites included a riverboat on the Mississippi, Jackson Pianos in the Central West End and Gaslight Lounge on the Hill. They talked to his mother, Tina Sonsoucie, and other family members. His stepfather is Jim Sonsoucie of Belleville and dad is Bob McNutt, and his stepmother is Beth McNutt of Belleville.

“I was taken aback that they really liked my song. I have been dreaming of a career in music ever since I was 17 years old and living in Belleville, to make a living by writing songs,” Gavin McNutt said. “I have been a local artist for many years. I am hoping this is my break. I am really excited.”

A little bit about McNutt’s career progression

A 2005 graduate of Belleville East High School, McNutt currently lives in St. Louis. He played in two local bands — Parlor Knights and Marlow Honey — before embarking on a solo career in 2012. His sound is classic folk with indie rock influences, and lately, he said he has been playing more rock ‘n roll. His overseas adventures have brought Brit Pop into the mix, too.

McNutt said he has always been fascinated by the power of a narrative and how writing can discover a sense of purpose.

He got his first guitar at age 10. After his parents divorced when he was 12, McNutt turned his feelings into songs. Early music influences were The Beatles, Bob Dylan, U2, Coldplay and Oasis, he said.

As McNutt has grown, his perspective comes out in his lyrics to give him an identity and define his spirit.

A divorce in 2016, followed by two trips to Europe in 2018 and 2019, have changed his course. He now has references to American cities and landmarks in his songs, as well as those popular spots in England and Ireland he has been drawn to, influenced by the Beatles and other musicians.

“I think my style has evolved, and the music is more melodic,” McNutt said. “I have such a passion for travel, discovering the world, and I’ve really gravitated to that.”

Love, loss and growth have definitely made an impact.

“Divorce is pretty awful. But now, I have more drive for my goals, my lyrics are heartfelt. I’m just a happier person. I trust the path that I’m on,” he said.

McNutt produces ‘Old and New Soul, Tonight’

McNutt’s song, “Old and New Soul, Tonight,” was inspired by Dublin, as he walked the River Liffey.

“The wind was blowing in my face. I thought how this was a dream to be in Europe. Basically, I thought of all the things I want to do, and that I had to cross the world to find out what was in me,” he said.

The song McNutt wrote about being in Dublin only took a couple of hours but he thought it would be a “fill” song on his album. His producer, however, had other plans.

“’He said, That’s it! That’s the song!’” McNutt said.

And that’s the song America gets to hear now. It is described as “the moment in which you may be thousands of miles from home, but you always have what makes you special inside of you.”

A trip to Europe included the Czech Republic besides the UK, and he played eight gigs. His ability to make friends easily had made those club dates happen.

“I love meeting different people. You realize we really aren’t that different,” he said.

After growing up near the Mississippi River, he is drawn to other rivers — as a source of inspiration, commerce and cultural. Besides exploring the Liffey, he mentioned the Mersey River near Liverpool.

“I find it a really fascinating concept,” he said.

McNutt set to release ‘Goodbye, Mississippi’ full-length album this year

This year, McNutt is releasing a full-length album called “Goodbye, Mississippi,” which chronicles traveling the world as a boy from the Midwest.

It will feature his songs “Underground,” documenting an evening in London; “Mersey,” documenting a love affair with Liverpool; “Manchester Rain,” documenting a foot travel excursion through the city centre to the country side of Ashton under Lyne; and “Belgrave Road,” an Aigburth residential street and an evening with local folkies and sharing tunes. His songs, “Belgrave Road” and “Manchester Rain” will be featured, as will “Old and Young Soul, Tonight.”

Locally, McNutt plays various venues in St. Louis, including The Pageant, Delmar Hall, The Duck Room, and Off Broadway, among others.

His dream of being on national stage soon can be aided by the Lincoln contest.

A Lincoln spokesman said Lincoln wanted to use the shared passion of music and celebrate the craftsmanship of songwriting for their Corsair introduction.

“Music is a big part of the overall Lincoln experience, and the Corsair offers a sanctuary — like experience to listen to, and indulge in, the music that accompanies you every day.”

Gavin M. can be heard on Spotify, Pandora and YouTube. He has a Facebook page page and a website, www.gavin-m.com. His Instagram is @gavinmusic.

For more information on the Lincoln contest, visit. www.chartyourcourse.com

This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 5:00 AM.