ABOUT JOHN GORKA
John Gorka is a world-renowned singer-songwriter who first got attention as the winner of the coveted“New Folk Award” at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 1984. From there, his career took off. He became one of the leading lights of what is now referred to as the “new folk movement” with its beginnings in the 1980’s. He has toured with, and in support of, Nancy Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea, as well as having such guests as Leo Kottke and Fairport Convention on his albums. Having released about two dozen albums, Gorka is noted not only as one of the finest songwriters in Americana music with his introspective and moving songs, but his rich baritone voice is uniquely recognizable and evocative.
According to Host/Executive Producer, Ken Hardley, “John Gorka is an artist, like Ramblin’ Jack Elliot or Darrell Scott, to whom we need to devote an entire show. His legacy, his art, his stage presence, his ability to entertain – all demand that he has this stage to himself.” Gorka is also going to play a mini-concert after the recorded part of the show for the live audience only. He will be joined by recording artist, Amilia K. Spicer for the night, a formidable singer-songwriter in her own right.
As for Hardley, he will be joined onstage with cellist, Mandy Andrews for the opening tune.
Rolling Hills listener, Cheryl Rich summed it up. “John Gorka is a songwriter’s songwriter. Jamestown and western New York are very lucky to have…the Rolling Hills Radio show bringing John Gorka and other truly great musicians to this area.”
All live RHR regular season shows take place at Shawbucks, across from Jamestown’s Ice Arena. Doors open — to all those holding or purchasing tickets — at 5:30pm for the “Rolling Happy Hour.” Food and drink are available until 6:15 at which time audience members take their seats and the house lights dim. Audio and video recording begins promptly at 6:30. The bar reopens for 10 minutes at intermission and then again after the show when the audience and performers are invited to a “Meet and Greet.”
There are three options for purchasing tickets; Until the show is sold out, tickets are available at the door the night of each show. If you choose, you can call the Rolling Ticket Hotline at (716) 294-0416. Tickets are also available online at rollinghillsradio.org/tickets. Tickets for this show are $25.00.
This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by Tri-County Arts Council.
