For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — McMillan Library will present singer-songwriter John Gorka in concert at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, Feb. 1 in the Library’s Fine Arts Center.

John Gorka has won a loyal following through thirteen highly successful recordings and performances throughout the nation.  Rolling Stone magazine has dubbed him “the preeminent male singer-songwriter of the New Folk movement.”  The Indie Acoustic Awards named him as best singer-songwriter last year. This free concert by one of America’s best musicians is sponsored by the Mead Witter Foundation, Inc.  No tickets are required.

Gorka has shared tours with such notable performers as Nanci Griffith and Mary Chapin Carpenter.  John has played Austin City Limits, appeared on CNN, and has been the subject of other national television programming.

His 2018 release, his 15^th album, is True in Time. The album was recorded “old school” with the musicians all playing together in one place, making up their own parts in the moment or in reaction to the demos circulated prior to recording. The result is a lively, immediate listening experience certain to find a treasured spot in the collection of long time fans.

The Boston Globe writes that Gorka is “widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs.”  The Huffington Post proclaimed “With a tangle of songs that emotionally connect us all and leave a tender trace, John Gorka stimulates the cerebrum, keeps our smiles agile and fit and reconnects us with what really matters most in music: honesty.” Associated Press writes that, “He weaves wry, slice-of-life observations reminiscent of Lyle Lovett and John Prine.”

Library Director Andy Barnett notes that, “John Gorka is a tremendously talented songwriter and performer.  We are so glad that he is returning to our series.  Don’t miss this concert!”  For more information, call the Library at 715-422-5136 or visit mcmillanlibrary.org/gorka.