“When you break someone’s heart, you carry that with you.”
– Cameron Hawthorn
These words ring true for anyone who has ever been in a relationship where you know it’s just not right for you, but in caring for the person you continue to go through the motions, not wanting to break the other person’s heart. While it may seem selfish to the one who is not privy to what is actually going on, the decision to – in essence – lie is made with good intentions. However in the end you’re both left broken. This is the universal message in Cameron Hawthorn‘s newest single “To Break Hers.” Along with Lena Stone, Cameron put pen to paper to tell his personal struggle in coming out to a girl he was dating, knowing it would break her heart. He knew he could not be who she wanted him to be, and he could no longer continue being untrue to himself.
We caught up with Cameron to talk about his musical journey, his place as a gay singer/songwriter in country music, and his latest single.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
CH: Hey there! My name is Cameron Hawthorn and I’m a lovesick cowboy who writes songs and sings them. Originally from Kansas, now living in Nashville. I’ve been doing music for quite some time and it’s evolved over the years, but I started a new chapter with my song “Dancing in the Living Room” that came out last year.
CN: With everything that’s going on in the world in regards to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
CH: It’s been a crazy year so far, huh? Yes, everyone in my circle is safe and healthy, thank you for asking. I’ve been counting my blessings.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
CH: So many! Recently, I’ve been going back to the classics like Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Elvis, and the Everly Brothers. But I’m also really inspired by artists from today like Shania Twain, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, and Kacey Musgraves. Taylor Swift has always been an inspiration to me because she’s incredibly driven and has a full vision for her art and career.
CN: What was the first album you ever owned?
CH: Grease, the original soundtrack from the movie.
CN: Your ability to be honest in your songwriting has been credited to growing up in a small Kansas town. What experiences while growing up in the Midwest sparked this brilliant skill in you?
CH: I grew up around family and friends in Kansas and Oklahoma that were just real, down to earth people. I think having those people in my life rooted me in who I am and when I left the Midwest and discovered more about myself, I had a strong foundation built upon honesty and authenticity to fall back on. I never want to lose that.
CN: Being a songwriter and a part of the LGBTQ community, how important is it to get your story out there – not only as a personal catharsis but also as a beacon for those who have walked through the same steps? And also for those who aspire to break into country music?
CH: I’ve been inspired by others who have come before me and told their stories, and I do feel a sense of responsibility as an artist to tell my own. And yes, there’s something freeing about laying it all out there and not holding back. It’s definitely scary at first, but it always seems to be rewarding in the end. No matter who you are or what you do, I just think everyone should have the freedom to be who they want to be without fear of being judged or discriminated against.
CN: When and how someone comes out is very specific to each person. They decide whom they will tell first, when, where. You released the music video for “Dancing in the Living Room” as your coming out message to your fans. The video’s storyline is beautiful – was the idea behind the video your own?
CH: Thank you, I had dreamt of making that video for quite some time. I love making music videos because I think it’s an extension of the song and the art and sometimes a way to tell more of the story. I had always had the idea for “Dancing in the Living Room” to be different couples of different backgrounds and ages dancing in their living rooms and to end the video with me dancing with my partner – a way to tell more of my story. Seeing it come to life was surreal.
CN: What did it mean to you to receive such a wonderful reaction by your fans?
CH: More than I can put into words. A dream come true.
CN: Your new single “To Break Hers” is a very personal and also very universal. Can you share with us the inspiration, and heartache, behind the song which you co-wrote with Lena Stone?
CH: I’ll never forget my breakup with this particular girl I dated before coming out. Her uncontrollable tears and how blindsided she was. When you break someone’s heart, you carry that with you. I needed to write this song to let go of that, an apology for stringing her along.
CN: What was it like to write with Lena?
CH: Lena and I have known each other for a while but had never written together. This was the song that came out of our first write and it obviously went really great because I chose to record and release it. Lena doesn’t settle when writing and I love that. We challenged each other with ideas until we were both satisfied with the song and felt it said what it needed to say.
CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process?
CH: It’s different every time. Sometimes it starts with a concept or a lyrical line. Other times I write out a bunch of lyrics like poetry and start with that. Or I’ll be messing around on the piano or guitar and something will stick out that I really like and a song will be born. With “To Break Hers”, I had actually written a whole different song with that piano part. I wasn’t crazy about the song though, so I brought that piano part into my co-write with Lena along with the concept of writing about the girl that I had dated before coming out.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
CH: Kacey Musgraves
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
CH: Britney Spears lol
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
CH: Passionate; I put my whole heart into the things and people in my life that I love and I have a very big, very emotional heart.
CN: With the pandemic still preventing most live shows, where can fans catch you? Are you doing any live streams?
CH: To be determined…but I definitely have plans of getting this music out in a “live” way in some form or fashion. Live streams are a great way of doing that for now, so yes, I’ll be doing that around the release.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
CH: My EP is coming in October! And like I said, I hope to play these songs “live” in some way soon. More details to come! Stay tuned…
“To Break Hers” is available for download/streaming here.
For more information on Cameron Hawthorn, visit his website at www.cameronhawthorn.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.