"Thank you for your contribution to the 2012 Community Sing! You are a masterful song leader..."
Craig Siemsen, Community Sing Event Director, Milwaukee WI
"Your CD,''Time Ain't Got Nothin' On Me' is simply a masterpiece."
John Donahus, Chicago IL
"The Pied Piper of the Mid-Winter Singing Festival..."
WKAR Public Television, Lansing MI
"I loved that guy so much that I would come every other week to hear him! He was great!"
Grand Rapids Opera House, Grand Rapids OH
"Folksinger/songwriter Mark Dvorak's fourth release, 'Time Ain't Got Nothin' On Me,' features 12 originals, plus three live tracks. Dvorak's songs about life, time, and age are delicately crafted with familiar, folksy warmth. His voice conjures the spirit of Buddy Holly while he pours his heart and soul into the music.
Various styles are on display here: hints of bluegrass, country & western-tinged songs with banjo and fiddle - good ol' down-home folk ditties. His reflection on the passing of time is the major theme, though Dvorak shows that you can look back while keeping a watchful, hopeful eye on the future."
Illinois Entertainer
"As if channeling Carl Sandburg, Mark Dvorak's songbook ranges across the American heartland..."
David Roche, Executive Director, Blue Bear Music School, San Francisco CA
"A master musician, storyteller and song writer..."
WKMS, Murray KY
"Mark Dvorak doesn't play folk music, he IS folk music..."
Kalamazoo Noise
"From the song selection, to your beautiful stories to the sense of intimate community you create with each performance, the concert was breathtaking. Everyone who attended came away with a renewed sense of beauty and determination, and a profound awareness of the struggles and victories of this 'wonderful world.' A simply magical evening for all of us lucky enough to share in ti."
Lori Chalinor, Access Living, Glen Ellyn IL
"As always, I enjoyed hearing you again at the Arts Center in Ludington. Well worth doing chores early, grabbing another shower and jumping in the truck to head to Ludington! You paint such great word pictures with your songs and stories. Looking forward to your next visit! Also love the new CD!"
Karin Hansen, Ludington MI
"I don't mind driving a long distance to see your show...it always includes unbelievable guitar playing, fantastic banjo playing and a beautiful melodic voice singing quality songs, both new and old..."
Marquita Welch, Vermont IL
"Enjoyed hearing you at the Fox Valley Fest. Good stuff. You are a true folk icon."
Eric Noden, Chicago IL
"a folk singer whose way with a song is sheer magic..."
Hickory Ridge Coffee House, Lewistown IL
"If Woody Guthrie has another son, it would have been Mark Dvorak. He gives us a wonderful variety of music, from some of the old standards to his own self-penned gems. He has a lovely way of telling a story..."
Debra Cowan, Westborough MA
"Mark Dvorak is one of my heroes. His integrity is unmatched..."
Andrew Cohen, Memphis TN
"WOW! Your presentation was the hit of the conference! Bravo!"
David Berry, Executive Director, Community College Humanities Assn., Newark NJ
"You are a painter...Your music has so many colors and so many moods. Just beautiful."
Peggy Lipschutz, Evanston IL
"An awesome performer... A Chicago folk legend.”
The Hen House Prowlers, Chicago IL
“He’s a cross between James Taylor, Big Bill Broonzy and Pete Seeger. Now go write that down.”
Elbert Beard, Erin TN
“Mark Dvorak IS the show.”
Reggio the Hoofer, Chicago IL
“He doesn’t just sing songs, he inhabits songs. He lives them.”
Cafe Carpe, Ft. Atikinson WI
“You were the cream on the top of some pretty fine milk, the best peach in the tree...”
Banjohova Witness, Greenville IL
“Your songs are real gems and you have sincerely addressed many issues affecting us these days. Your love songs are very touching and all I can say that it is an honor that you included ‘Ruben’ for this wonderful project - a very inspiring version!”
Bartholomew Bean, Columbia MO
“Thank you for all of your years of service to this institution, and to our field. You’ve had a huge impact on many, many lives. Words are not up to the task of expressing appreciation.”
Bau Graves, Executive Director, Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago IL
“Mary and I played at Occupy Atlanta and your song, ‘I’m the 99’ was well received. It’s simple, easy to pick up, direct like Woody. People began to sing it.”
Frank Hamilton, Decatur GA
“If I were a drinker, ‘I Hate to See the Summer Go’ would be my 3 olive, 3 fingers full hold the ice, martini song. It makes me need a hug.”
Nancy Jolliff, Madison WI
“Thank you for ‘I’m the 99.’ This is really a GREAT song.”
Jackie Guthrie, Great Barrington MA
Gorgeous show last night man.”
Sue Demel, Chicago IL
“Thank you Mark for letting us experience the world through your folk songs. This world’s a much better and warmer place for all of us when portrayed through your voice.”
Jeffery Scott Wallace, Murray KY
“I had a wonderful time at your show. The place was packed and filled with that kind of benevolent energy that is always great to be a part of. You were playing and singing so well, the banjo in particular was pulse-quickening. It was so good...”
Margaret Candiotti, Chicago IL
“I just watched ‘On a Night Like This’ on your web site. How in the blue hell did you tab that out??”
YouTube
“Can’t say enough good things about your performance last night. It was the best ever. Great balance in music, excellent timing in delivery and great audience involvement!”
Nan Anderson, Evanston IL
“Awesome concert Mark! Your songs are great and you had people singing from the very start!”
Johnnie Jones, Flint MI
“Mark is one of those musicians who seems to know everything about music, and is all about sharing it with others. You could write an encyclopedia of American music from Mark’s wealth of knowledge. He’s been a teacher and a mentor to me. He also puts on a wonderful show. Singer, songwriter, musician, teacher - he does it all brilliantly!
Amy Dixon-Kolar, Fox River Grove IL
“No real wonder Mark’s CD ‘Every Step of the Way’ is winning critical acclaim. His story telling abilities are becoming legend. If you don’t have a copy, get one.”
Quarter Notes, Downers Grove IL
“Tonight I find your patriotic song ‘Not War’ in affirming, hopeful dialog with lines from R.W. Emerson. For Emerson, pacifism was not passivity - “The peace principle [cannot] be carried into effect by fear... if peace is to be maintained, it must be by brave men [and women], who have come up to the same height as the [war] hero, namely, the will to carry their life in their hand, and stake it at any instant for their principle, but who have gone one step beyond the hero, and will not seek another man’s life.”
Robert Dixon, College of Dupage, Glen Ellyn IL
“He is our folk music hero... and he should be yours too.”
Birdy, LaGrange Park IL
“One of the best folk singers carrying on this tradition in our present time. Truly a golden-throated icon.”
YouTube
““Hey Mark, I really enjoyed your set... First rate all the way.”
Bucky Halker, Chicago IL
I really enjoyed your show a whole lot... ‘The Saddest Town’ knocked me over with its devastating stuff, as have several of the other songs too. They somehow put the darkness out there, real clear and beautiful, not as a wallowing endpoint, but again and again as a platform for the other side, the ‘will to heal,’ the living through and loving again (and yet again).
I am thankful for the few voices out there that honor our losses and despair, when the message we hear over and over again - that makes us so nuts and deprives us of deepest love - is that we are supposed to keep too much of our love underground. Squelched, dismissed and medicated. You have a gift for making this complicated stuff simple, and just so damned lovely and true.”
Brit Creelman, Chicago IL
“Mark has never sounded better. His songs are powerful, thoughtful and full of humor and truth - just like him. He is truly at the top of his game.”
Sons of the Never Wrong, Chicago IL
“Your fingers were flying with the moon last night... Words to tears to blessed memory of feeling. Thank you for such lovely sounds to linger on.”
Lizabeth MacDonald, Chicago IL
“Some things are so wonderful there are no words to describe them; like the way it feels to sit in a room full of people from all over the city after a long day of work all playing instruments and singing their hearts out together.”
Michelle Lilly O’Brien, Chicago IL
“His voice is like a magnet that draws you in...”
MIke Henry, South Haven MI
“I bought your CD for my teaching friend and her class LOVES ‘Lay Down Little Dogies.’ They gather and sing it every day. Thought you’d like to hear.”
Stacy Holzwarth, 1st Grade Teacher, Chicago IL
“I wanted to let you know how cool the Woody Guthrie Jam at this summer’s festival was; what a tribute to both you and Woody. There was standing room only for musicians plus a nice crowd had gathered to listen on the lawn...”
Donna Burkhard, Chicago IL
“It was a hoot seeing you and hearing you - not only a primo musician and excellent performer, but you are also an engaging and informative, thoroughly enjoyable - in a word - entertainer.”
Andy Burd, New Buffalo MI
“I want you to know that I listened to your record and loved it. It sounds great man...”
Jim Tulio, Winnetka IL
“Your songs are thoughtful and good... they really sound like they’re from you, from your heart and from your life.”
Tim Lilly, St. Louis MO
“I came home energized from your concert... I like it that you really encouraged participation. It’s the answer to the comment a friend made recently, that people need to be finding their own culture.”
Juniper Sundance, Abrams WI
“Thank you for everything you did to make the Win centennial such a success. Your performance and commentaries were superb...”
Bob Riesman, Chicago IL
“Ten thousand hands rang out in applause last night and I hope you heard each and every one of them - for the tradition you carry on, for the humanity that you bring to the craft and for the special gift you have to share with others.”
Lizabeth MacDonald, Chicago IL
“Thanks so much for the show about Lead Belly! I am thrilled I got to experience it and hope you do end up taking it on the road. More people should have the chance to learn about Lead Belly from you.”
Kay Spreitzer, Chicago IL
“Every time I think I’ve seen you do the best thing ever, turns out I have to wait until next time... Your Lead Belly show was really extraordinary - so well done, so informative and musical.”
Louise Frank, WFMT, Chicago IL
“We were honored to have Mark in the studio for a wonderful show of brilliant talent. The Windy City is fortunate to have Mark base his creativity here... his podcast has set a record for downloads.”
Michael Teach, Chicago Acoustic Underground