Songs at the Center

Artists: NBC's The Voice Semi-Finalist Emily Keener, Thor Platter, Laurie Caner (with Eddie Caner) of Hey Mavis, and hosted by songwriter Eric Gnezda. EMILY KEENER is a young woman with an old soul. Since her exciting journey into the Top 12 on NBC's The Voice, Emily has been writing and recording diligently in an effort to capture the energy of this most transformative year. Emily started playing the guitar when she was 11 years old and began writing songs almost immediately. She writes and performs music that springs from a place of beauty and pure emotion. Based in Wakeman, Ohio, she plays the six-string acoustic guitar with a folksy, nostalgic groove, and collaborates frequently with the Womack Family Band. THOR PLATTER, originally from Buffalo, NY, writes and performs music that Scene Magazine hails as "Americana roots rock and soulful good vibes." Now based in Cleveland, Thor sports gentle, affecting vocals - which have earned him numerous comparisons to Willie Nelson - carried along freely by the accompaniment of rollicking banjo and harmonica. "The tradition and history of American music have influenced me my entire life; it encompasses many sounds and styles from many different eras," he explains. "Above all, it is just good music to your ears." Thor approaches song craft without specific genre boundaries, choosing instead to allow his music to evolve instinctually. LAURIE MICHELLE CANER is "a cross between Edgar Allan Poe and Garrison Keillor with a killer voice, a killer banjo, and a killer band," according to one articulate fan. She's also a homeschooling mom, a songwriter, and Ms. May in the 2015 Banjo Babes Calendar. She has been hailed as a role model for mothers who strive to honor their own artistic vision while continuing to raise a healthy family. Her banjo playing is of curious origin, but beautifully serves as a foundation for her lyrics. Laurie's songwriting tells the story of life-with all of its beauty, heartache, disappointment and joy-weaving a musical tapestry that speaks the truth of love, life and the human condition. As the lead singer in the band, Hey Mavis, she has worked extensively with Don Dixon, who has produced the last few recording projects for the band. She is joined by her husband, Edward Caner.