NISSWA-John Gorka will perform in the next Grassroots Concerts scheduled at 7:30 p.m. March 10 in the Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar of the Journey Church at Nisswa.
He had been scheduled to perform in the series last November, but a snow/ice storm forced cancellation of that show.
After his 1987 Red House release "I Know" introduced Gorka to the public, his wit and honesty have made him one of the most beloved artists currently carrying on the folk tradition, organizers stated a news release.
Last July Gorka released his latest recording "Before Beginning-The Unreleased I Know, Nashville, 1985." It is a critically acclaimed enhancement of songs from his 1987 debut album, creatively tethered to vocal and instrumental support from several fellow artists.
A native of New Jersey, Gorka started his career in the 1970s in Pennsylvania, and eventually went to New York City to connect with other emerging talents.
ADVERTISEMENT
Performing at Texas' Kerrville Folk Festival, where he won the New Folk Award in 1984, and in gigs around Boston, Gorka turned heads with his baritone voice and original songwriting. Those who had at one time inspired him-Suzanne Vega, Bill Morrissey, Nanci Griffith, Christine Lavin, Shawn Colvin-had become his peers.
In 1987, Red House Records of St. Paul caught wind of Gorka's talents and released his first album to popular and critical acclaim.
His rich multifaceted songs full of depth, beauty and emotion gained increasing attention from critics and audiences across the country, organizers stated, as well as in Europe where his tours led him through Italy, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.
The 1998 release, "After Yesterday," and his next recording, "The Company You Keep," hold fast to his tradition of fine songwriting, yet move forward down new avenues.
"Old Futures Gone," the next LP, is informed by his life as husband and father of two young children and also contained the colorful experience of many hard years on the road. "Writing in the Margins" in 2006 is an engaging collection of sweet and serious songs that spanned many musical genres, folk, pop, country and soul and features guest vocalists Nanci Griffith, Lucy Kaplansky and Alice Peacock.
His 11th studio album, "So Dark You See," takes Gorka back to his roots and was quickly dubbed his most compelling and traditional album to date.
In addition to his 11 critically acclaimed albums, Gorka released a collector's edition box featuring a hi-definition DVD and companion CD called "The Gypsy Life."
Windham Hill also released a collection of Gorka's greatest hits from the label called "Pure John Gorka."
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2010, he also released an album with his friends and Red House label-mates Lucy Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson under the name Red Horse. Getting high praise from critics and fans alike, it landed on the Billboard Folk Charts and was one of the most played albums on folk radio.
Grassroots Concerts are made possible in part by a grant provided by the Five Wings Arts Council with funds through the Minnesota State Legislature. Grassroots Concerts is a nonprofit under the Internal Revenue Code.
Concert general admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 with listening attention, when accompanied by an adult. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for seating preference.
At each concert, non-perishable food and cash donations are welcomed, with donations delivered to local food shelves by Grassroots volunteers.
For information go to www.grassrootsconcerts.org or visit Grassroots Concerts on Facebook.
