John McCracken:
is a music and DVD producer/guitarist/composer residing in New York City. He has produced over 60 recordings in the classical crossover, choral, contemporary Christian and jazz fields for a wide array of major and independent record labels including Atlantic Records, Angel Records, EMI Classics, BMG, Rykodisc, Sparrow Records, Windham Hill Records, Musical Heritage Society/Music Masters and Muworks Records as well as film and video soundtracks for PBS, Miramax/Disney Films, Geffen, Time Warner/WEA and Curtain Call Productions. He is currently the A&R Director/Producer for Manhattan Records/Blue Note Label Group (EMI Music North America) and has A&R'd many of their top recordings artists including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar (daughter of Ravi), Broadway star Linda Eder and many other acclaimed artists. In addition, he has produced sampling/loops cds for industry leader PowerFX of Sweden as well as a highly successful nine-volume 1920/30's jazz compilation series for major retail stores Aeropostale and Macy's, New York. He has also taught digital music technology at the college level as an adjunct professor and has written a guide to recording and producing Choral Music entitled Ten Steps to Making a Great Classical Recording published by CCP Vigital.

As Music Producer: (Abbreviated discography-Full discography available upon request)

Is recent recipient of an R.I.A.A. certified Gold Record in the United States (500,000-1,000,000 units sold) as producer for legendary Broadway star Michael Crawford's (Phantom of the Opera, EFX, Barnum) 1998 release On Eagle's Wings on Atlantic Records. This recording reached No. 57 on Billboard magazine's Top 200 Charts and was No.2 on Billboard's Contemporary Christian Charts for over 15 weeks. Current sales are over 800,000 units worldwide. It is also a certified Platinum cd in Australia. This recording also features acclaimed Irish singer Máire Brennan from the world-renowned Irish-pop group Clannad as well as the Irish Film Orchestra from Dublin, Ireland and many of Nashville's best studio musicians.

Produced for DVD in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and compact disc Stand Ye Steady featuring The United States Military Academy (USMA) Cadet Glee Club at West Point. Stand Ye Steady features 15 songs that capture the commitment, selflessness and vitality of our Armed Forces through passionate performances of some of our country's most cherished patriotic, inspirational and choral compositions. SYS also features guest appearances by Broadway star and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Flower Drum Song) and America's beloved tenor and retired New York City Police Officer Daniel Rodriguez. This recording is a 2005 release and is distributed by MDM/MusicRama.

Produced for DVD in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound a live recording of Handel's Messiah performed in concert December 2002 in Tabgha, Israel. Features the Upper Galilee Choir and The Ranaana Symphonette Orchestra conducted by Ron Zarchi. This DVD was released by Curtain Call Productions for Christmas 2004.

Produced and engineered three recordings for Angel/EMI/Sparrow Records:
Hymn featuring The American Boychoir, Grammy-winning vocalists Steven Curtis Chapman and Twila Paris and The St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble as well as arrangements by legendary Nashville composer/arranger Ronn Huff (Clint Black, Amy Grant, Vanessa Williams). Reached No. 13 on Billboard's Classical Crossover Charts. By Request, a collection on concert favorites featuring The American Boychoir. Carol, top-selling collection of classical Christmas favorites that features members of the acclaimed Philadelphia Orchestra.

Produced/engineered the vocal tracks (music soundtrack) on the 1999 film release Wide Awake (Miramax/Disney Films) that stars Rosie O'Donnell, Denis Leary and Robert Loggia. This was the directorial debut of Oscar nominee M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs and The Village).

Produced the 1995 soundtrack recording on Windham Hill Records entitled Voices. This accompanied a three-hour PBS special entitled The American Promise that aired nationally in 1995 and 1996.

Produced two tracks for Windham Hill Records' highly successful 1994 soundtrack/PBS Special In Search of Angels based on the best-selling book of the same name.

Produced an award-winning ("Best of the Month"-CD Review magazine) classical/choral Christmas recording entitled On Christmas Day that was released on Rykodisc.

As a Guitarist and Composer:
Has released four albums to date with the group The Fusionaires and his own groups Outloud and Power River.
He has also performed with legendary avant-garde drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson (Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock) as a member of The Decoding Society.
Live performances with "downtown" drummer Dougie Bowne (Chris Whitley, the Lounge Lizards, Jack Bruce), bassist Chris Woods from Medeski, Martin and Woods and the late alto sax great Thomas Chapin.
He has performed extensively in the U.S. with his own groups. He has opened for jazz/fusion luminaries Steps Ahead, Allan Holdsworth, Michael Brecker, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Zawinul, Jack Bruce and Vital Information among many others.
His guitar playing has been featured in Guitar Player magazine and his cd Blood From A Tone (Muworks Records) was picked as "Best of the Month" in that magazine by Guitar Player's Senior Editor Joe Gore.
He is an active member of New York's downtown alternative music scene having appeared five times as part of the internationally acclaimed Knitting Factory's What is Jazz? Festival.