"I really enjoyed listening to Emily when she played on the bill [Stage on Herr] last time. She has good songs and her piano playing was great!" Freedy Johnston Emily Yanek is an 18 year-old singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania whose powerful voice, passionate melodies, and honest lyrics lead you to a place of emotion we all have felt. Influenced by singer-songwriters of the 1970’s, Yanek puts a refreshing take on a nostalgic sound. “I’m drawn mostly to music from the 60’s and 70’s, because back then they were writing songs that took you to a snapshot of the times and movements they were living.” A major turning point for the young artist was meeting Jackson Browne after a concert in August of 2009, who advised the seventeen year-old not to quit high school. “All I wanted to do was drop out and make music. Jackson told me that, developmentally, there really was no other place for me at the time. Looking back now, I realize that he was right.” Inspired by her musical hero, she began writing more personal songs that eventually led to working in the studio with veteran guitarist, Jeff Pevar, on what would become the initial recording sessions for “Watching the Highway.” “…her singing and her writing continue to amaze and astound me!” Jeff Pevar, guitarist for Ray Charles, Rickie Lee Jones, David Crosby, CPR, CSN A 3-year graduate of the music program at Capital Area School for the Arts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she loves performing and writing songs. As a throwback to the 70s, she performed at the Dan Fogelberg Memorial Dedication Welcome Party for over 450 of Dan's fans on August 27th, 2010, at the Hotel Pere Marquette, Peoria, Illinois. A 3-year graduate of the music program at Capital Area School for the Arts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she loves performing and writing songs. As a throwback to the 70s, she performed at the Dan Fogelberg Memorial Dedication Welcome Party for over 450 of Dan's fans on August 27th, 2010, at the Hotel Pere Marquette, Peoria, Illinois. She also played at the Utica Music and Arts Fest 2010 and the Launch Music Conference and Festival 2011. Emily’s career plans include writing songs, performing and to continue recording (a prolific writer, she has enough original material to fill several albums). “Music is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. And my writing always takes me to a special place.” “…her style is completely her own. Her songs are rich with a sound that contains echoes of an earlier era.” Steven Williamson, Cranford, NJ Patch.com reporter Look for her live performance at a coffee house or venue near you as well as her debut album, “Watching the Highway,” which will be released in June, 2011.