Songs at the Center

Artists: Mary Bragg, Tracy Walker, J. Scott Franklin, American Gypsy (Neil Jacobs, Arkadiy Gips , Steven Fox) and hosted by songwriter Eric Gnezda. Artist Bio: Tracy Walker merges a ringing alto voice with estimable guitar skills to create a blazing honesty in her songs. A resident of Cincinnati, Tracy has been the recipient of two CAMMY Awards (Cincinnati Enquirer), 2 CEA Awards (Cincinnati CityBeat Newspaper), and the prestigious Taft Museum of Art Duncanson Artist in Residency Honor. She clearly possesses a knack for perceiving patterns in nature that others seem to overlook, which extends to her musical pursuits. She performs "Can't Do Without." Artist Bio: J. Scott Franklin, of Cleveland, has been said to "lasso moments in time." His first love is poetry, and his songs are woven together by unique and beautifully crafted phrases. He is the 2013 winner of the Frank Brown International Songwriter Festival Contest, and has touched audiences throughout the US and Europe. Born in Virginia, he moved to Ohio and attended Bowling Green State University on a trumpet scholarship. Scott dazzles crowds with his energy and love for the audience. He sings "Good Old Days." Artist Bio: Mary Bragg is a rural Georgia girl who spent a decade in New York City, following the advice of a Music Row executive who told her, "Go out there and live a little - come back to me in 10 years." And so, she lived. New York was her muse, her trouble, her chaperone. Eventually, Nashville's magnetism brought her back to Music City - with many a story to tell. Her music is a seamless hybrid of her southern Americana roots and downtown Manhattan. She performs "Say You Need Me." Artist Bio: American Gypsy consists of internationally recognized 12-string guitarist/composer Neil Jacobs, Ukrainian master violinist Arkadiy Gips, and award-winning bassist, Steven Fox. This highly acclaimed new ensemble transforms Gypsy, Jazz, and World Folk into intriguing new American music. American Gypsy has thrilled and mesmerized audiences across the United States and Europe. Arkadiy recently spent two years touring worldwide with pop icon, Madonna, as special guest on the "gypsy" segment of her concert program. American Gypsy's debut CD was nominated for the American Independent Music Award's Album of the Year. They perform "Romany Roll."