(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents veteran singer-songwriter John Gorka on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 8:00pm. This concert will take place at the First Congregational Church, 40 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. Outpost volunteers will be collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program at this show.
For over two decades, John Gorka’s keen ear has picked up the stories along his path, folding them into poetry and song. His keen perceptiveness inspires people from all over the world to share their stories. By involving those tales in his music, he escapes the trap of introspection that hobbles less gifted singer-songwriters.
Born in Newark, NJ in 1958, Gorka grew up in Colonia, NJ. He started playing banjo and guitar in high school and sang in the church folk group. His brother Cass taught him his first chords on the guitar and was generous with his record collection and songbooks. John started working on his own songs right from the start.
He moved to Bethlehem, PA to go to college where he formed the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band with Doug Anderson and Russ Rentler. Doug took him to Godfrey Daniels Coffeehouse where he discovered the world of live folk and acoustic music. Godfrey's featured national and international performers of folk, blues, Celtic, old time, bluegrass, singer-songwriter and other acoustic based music. He would often buy a ticket at the break when they lowered the price so he could check out new performers who looked interesting on the schedule but whose music he had not heard. While still in college Gorka became a regular performer at, and host of, the Sunday night open mics. Upon graduation he became a sort of house opening act through the early 1980's. Many performers he opened shows for opened doors for him in other parts of the country, Nanci Griffith, Jack Hardy and Claudia Schmidt to name a few.
Gorka still flies below the pop culture radar with an almost cult-like following that never fails to fill concerts. Speak with any one of his fans and one instantly feels their enthusiasm and genuine affection. His shy, almost self-effacing stage presence rightfully focuses attention on the songs. His versatility on guitar and piano keeps his sets musically interesting, while his rich baritone effortlessly executes his bidding. And he’s never short of the sly comment or clever joke that invariably ignites his audience.
With his uncanny ability to work every nuance of language, capturing a wide array of topics and experiences woven into memorable melodies, John Gorka’s career continues to prosper and to garner ever-increasing attention.
Tickets are $32 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets are available online.
Outpost in the Burbs is an all-volunteer nonprofit outreach organization in Montclair dedicated to building community through music, community service, and cultural events. Now in it’s 30th year, the Outpost has presented more than 450 concerts by internationally known artists such as Judy Collins, Roger McGuinn, Dave Mason, Jorma Kaukonen, Jimmy Webb, Richie Havens, J.D. Souther, and Dar Williams. In addition to promoting and staffing concerts, Outpost volunteers have donated many hours of their time through programs affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair, the Community Food Bank of N.J., Dress for Success, MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless), and a soup kitchen run by Outpost volunteers in East Orange, NJ.
