Split Level Concerts Presents: An Evening With John Gorka

John Gorka is widely regarded as one of the leading voices to emerge from the contemporary folk revival of the 1980s. With a rich baritone voice and a gift for blending humor, empathy, and vivid detail, Gorka quickly established a songwriting style that feels both intimate and enduring. Split Level Concerts is back for its 3rd season at Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove. The partnership between Split Level Concerts and JSAC brings critically acclaimed national and international touring Americana and contemporary folk musicians to the Jersey Shore. Perhaps no artist exemplifies what defines this singer-songwriter series more than the John Gorka who, in addition to having his songs covered by many well-known artists, continues to tour, playing festivals, theaters and clubs all over North America and Europe. Visit https://www.johngorks.com/ to learn more. Net ticket proceeds from all Split Level concerts support the programming and arts education offered by the Jersey Shore Arts Center, a non-profit organization serving Ocean Grove and its surrounding areas. The second season of the series netted approximately $10,000, money that the Arts Center is using to help pay for the presentation of additional arts programs and improvements to its historic building. In addition, Jersey Shore Arts Center and Split Level Concerts are proud to partner with Brookdale Public Radio 90.5 The Night and Musicians On A Mission (MOAM) to promote the concert series. Musicians On A Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating connection and inspiring giving through music. During the shows that made up season two, the volunteers from MOAM collected nearly $4,000 in cash donations and 587 pounds of non-perishable food items to benefit Fulfill (formerly the Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean County). For season three, MOAM has again chosen Fulfill to be the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts. Gorka was born in Newark, New Jersey in July of 1958. He received his first guitar as a Christmas gift, though Gorka alleges that his older brother stole it from him shortly thereafter. He eventually learned, instead, to play the banjo, and began performing in a folk music group at his church. Gorka attended Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and joined the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band which would also include guitarist Richard Shindell. He later began performing solo at the Godfrey Daniels coffee house as the opening act for various musicians that toured there. These included Nanci Griffith, Bill Morrissey, Claudia Schmidt and Jack Hardy. In 1984, Gorka took first place at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Since then he has toured with artists such as Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Michael Manring, Christine Lavin, Dave Van Ronk, Cliff Eberhardt, David Massengill, Frank Christian and Lucy Kaplansky.