An evening with John Gorka and Cliff Eberhardt set for Chocolate Church Performing Arts

John Gorka Photo by Joe del Tufo

An Evening with John Gorka and Cliff Eberhardt is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Chocolate Church Performing Arts, 804 Washington St. in Bath.

From New Jersey, Gorka is a world-renowned singer-songwriter who got his start at a neighborhood coffeehouse in eastern Pennsylvania. Soon he started traveling to New York City, where Jack Hardy’s legendary Fast Folk circle became a powerful source of education and encouragement. Folk meccas like Texas’ Kerrville Folk Festival and Boston followed, and his soulful baritone voice and original songwriting began turning heads.

Those who had at one time inspired him — Suzanne Vega, Bill Morrissey, Nanci Griffith, Christine Lavin, Shawn Colvin — had become his peers. His rich multifaceted songs full of depth, beauty and emotion gained increasing attention from critics and audiences across the country, as well as in Europe. Many well-known artists have recorded and/or performed Gorka songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black, and Maura O’Connell.

Eberhardt knew by age seven that he was going to be a singer and songwriter. Growing up in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, he and his brothers sang together and their parents played instruments. His dad introduced him to the guitar and he quickly taught himself to play. He cut his teeth listening to the likes of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, and Mississippi John Hurt — receiving an early and impressive tutorial in acoustic music.

At the same time, he also was listening to great pop songwriters like Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and Rodgers and Hart, which explains his penchant for great melodies and clever lyrical twists. Cliff is well-known as a songwriting teacher all over the U.S. at songwriting camps and private lessons. He also produces, arranges, and advises on other artist’s recordings.

Tickets cost $30.

For tickets, or more information, visit chocolatechurcharts.org.