John Gorka, the world-renowned singer-songwriter and one of contemporary folk music's leading talents, creates songs that emotionally connect with listeners. Gorka's guitar melodies and intriguing lyrical tales resonate long after the music has ended.

Gorka performs at 7 p.m. June 5 at Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem. The concert is sold out.

Gorka is touring behind his 12th studio album, "Bright Side Of Down" (Red House Records). His career, which began at Godfrey Daniels, has generated a legion of devoted fans over four decades.

Gorka won the New Folk Award in 1984 at the Texas Kerrville Folk Festival. His first album release in 1987, "I Know" (Red House Records), received critical acclaim.

The 1990's brought Gorka more attention and fame in the folk world. He performed with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Ani DiFranco. He toured throughout Europe and worked with greats such as Bill Morrissey (who became a dear friend of Gorka's) Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin and Nanci Griffith.

Gorka, born in Colonia, N.J., attended Moravian College in Bethlehem in the late 1970's. He became enthralled with Godfrey Daniel's, an establishment his friend Doug Anderson had introduced him to.

Concerning his first visit, Gorka says it was not a typical show. "They were passing around a guitar ... and I thought this must be what Greenwich Village was like in the Sixties."

In an interview from his home near Stillwater, Minn., Gorka says his latest album is greatly influenced by having lived there since 1997.

"My wife [a native of Minnesota] said this album had a sense of here."

"Holed Up In Mason City" is an upbeat song about driving through a blizzard in Iowa. "Minnesotans don't complain about the winter, so I'm probably not quite there yet," says Gorka.

"Thirstier Wind' describes the end of winter and it references geese and eagles. "You see eagles just about every day here."

By choice, Gorka took a full year to record "Bright Side Of Down."

"It's built around the vocal and guitar performances."

There are guest performances by labelmates of Red House Records, such as Claudia Schmidt, who Gorka saw perform at Godfrey Daniels years ago, and who later sang on Gorka's second album, "Land Of The Bottom Line."

Lucy Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson sing on the "Bright Side Of Down" title song.

"Eliza is one of the best harmony singers ever," says Gorka.

There are also performances by Michael Johnson and Amilia K. Spicer.

Gorka writes while on the road, or at home. As for the tour, "I'm kind of going everywhere." He has been touring across the United States and will perform this year at music festivals, coffeehouses, arts centers and theaters.

"I think of it as a 50-year tour," jokes Gorka. "It's just one tour. I think I'm in year 28 or 29. I've got a ways to go."

Gorka enjoys touring. "Most of the time, the traveling and the logistics just work out."

As for Godfrey Daniel's, a much loved-venue for the performer, and his visit to the Lehigh Valley, Gorka says, "I miss P.A. I miss the hills and the people."