Eric Gnezda

Eric Gnezda (pronounced NEZZ-da) is a singer-songwriter, Emmy-nominated journalist, television producer, author, and educator known for his contributions to American public media. Gnezda writes and performs a diverse catalog of songs, ranging from inspirational anthems and love songs to country ballads and satirical pieces. His music and commentary have appeared on ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, NPR's All Things Considered, and Car Talk. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Gnezda is a recipient of the Ohioana Citation for Music Composition and has been recognized by Columbus Monthly magazine as Best Satirist of the Year.

Gnezda is the creator and host of the television series "Songs at the Center," which premiered on the PBS station in Columbus and airs on more than 400 PBS stations nationwide. The series features local and nationally touring singer-songwriters performing in front of live audiences at the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington, Ohio, and other venues, with performances interspersed with interviews. "Songs at the Center" highlights the craft of songwriting and has featured guests such as John Oates, Rodney Crowell, Gretchen Peters, Molly Tuttle, Beth Nielson Chapman, Janis Ian, Marc Cohn, Delbert McClinton, Ray Stevens, and Jeff Daniels. The series draws inspiration from the in-the-round format of Nashville's Bluebird Café, where Gnezda has also performed.

Gnezda co-wrote the Number One bluegrass hit "Unfinished Bridges" with Brink Brinkman, recorded by Rock Hearts. His song "Everyone Wins" has been used nationally to promote the Special Olympics, and "Blossoms of Hope" has resonated with cancer survivors throughout the United States and Canada. Gnezda received an Emmy Award nomination from the National Television Arts and Sciences (Ohio Valley Chapter) for a retrospective on the Munich Olympics massacre. Earlier in his career, Gnezda was a columnist for The Columbus Dispatch and a television personality and producer for PM Magazine.

In addition to his work in music and media, Gnezda serves as a visiting lecturer in public speaking at Ohio Wesleyan University and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the Rainier Writing Workshop at Pacific Lutheran University. Gnezda continues to engage audiences across radio, television, live performance, and academia through his music, storytelling, and public speaking.