DENVER, COLO. (3/11/08) -- Swallow Hill is pleased to present one of the
most skilled singer/songwriters in the music business today, John Gorka, on
Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m.
In the late 1970s, John Gorka was a regular hangout at Godfrey
Daniels, one of the oldest and most venerable music institutions in eastern
Pennsylvania. Soon he found himself living in the club's basement and acting as
resident emcee and soundman, encountering legendary folk troubadours like Stan
Rogers, Eric Andersen, Tom Paxton, and Claudia Schmidt. Soon he started
traveling to New York City, where Jack Hardy's legendary Fast Folk circle, a
breeding ground for many a major singer/songwriter, became a powerful source of
education and encouragement. From there he went to Boston, and to Texas'
Kerrville Folk Festival, where he won the New Folk Award in 1984.
Gorka's stunningly soulful baritone voice and emerging
songwriting was turning heads. In 1987, he released his first album, I Know,
to popular and critical acclaim. With other albums rolling out, Rolling Stone
dubbed him "the preeminent male singer/songwriter of the new folk movement." His
rich multi-faceted songs full of depth, beauty and emotion gained increasing
attention from critics and audiences across the country, as well as in Europe,
where his tours led him through Italy, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland, Holland,
Switzerland, and Germany.
His material is championed by many: to date, more than a score
of artists have recorded and/or performed John Gorka songs, including Mary
Chapin Carpenter, Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. He also started sharing tours
with many notable friends, including Nanci Griffith. His
video for the single "When She Kisses Me" found a long-term rotation on VH-1's
program, Current Country, as well as on CMT and the Nashville Network. Gorka has
also graced the stage of Austin City Limits.
Amilia Spicer, whose music is described as "stunning" by
Applause magazine, will open the show and play a few tunes with Gorka during
this performance.
