Biography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzlYKUb5hpM
Twelve self-penned songs for that big, Nashville-style voice to ride on.
Many songs are inspirational and seem directed inward for the singer as well as for the listener. Some, like
"Mirror, Mirror," are so brilliantly conceived lyrically, they seemed destined for one of the Nashville biggies to
pick up and have a monster hit. "Mirror, mirror, can you bring love back, mirror, mirror, try / Layered teardrops
blur my reflection, mirror, mirror, lie." Of course, if justice prevails, and the buying public will take to a li'l ol' gal
from New Jersey, Loretta will have the big hit (or two) herself."
Richard Cuccaro, Acoustic Live in NYC and Beyond Magazine
LORETTA HAGEN
The title song from Loretta Hagen's CD, "Sundown Till Dawn", is her most personal recording to date. After her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease six years ago, Loretta and her family became round the clock caregivers, dealing with the changes and challenges that come with such a terrible disease. It has been an emotional roller coaster, and Loretta's song paints a clear picture of how her mom has suffered.
Sundown Till Dawn will be included on a soundtrack of a feature documentary film called "Ten Mountains, Ten Years" being packaged for the Sundance Festival in 2010. Bruce Springsteen has joined the soundtrack and Leeza Gibbons will open the film. The Backlight Productions film is about a group of mountain climbers called The Regulars who are climbing mountains to raise awareness for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Loretta's hopes are that her song will help to raise awareness and funding for research, so that others will one day be spared the suffering these diseases inflict.
Loretta is a tireless advocate for Alzheimer's disease, and she was chosen by the National Alzheimer's Association to perform her song Sundown Till Dawn, during the Candlelight Vigil at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC for the Public Policy Forum.
Since the early nineties, Loretta Hagen has been writing and performing music that has earned rave reviews for her rich vocals and poignant songwriting. With a style that mixes country, rock, and folk music you will find her performing solo or with her band Down To The Wire, consisting of Gary Hagen, Debby Maggiulli, Teri Avella, Dave Barry and Sara Gallmann in concert venues, music festivals and night clubs throughout the tri state area.
In the days of the country music boom in the Northeast, DJ's from big radio markets to small were playing Loretta's music and mentioning her shows on air, creating a loyal fan base that continues to follow her today, on stations across the country including WFUV, WFDU, WDHA, WNTI.
Loretta honed her writing and recording skills in Nashville, co producing her previous CD "Something More" with Pat McInernery (Nanci Griffith), and performed in venues such as the famous Bluebird Cafe, Douglas Corner, The Broken Spoke, The Exit/In to a name a few.
After six years in Nashville, Hagen was approached by blues guitar legend Johnny Winter, asking her to relocate to Conneticut, where she toured and opened shows with J.W. The experience was exciting for Loretta and she gained a new audience outside of the country and folk genres.
Her mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis brought Loretta back to her home state of NJ to be close to her Mom, and she continues to perform in venues such as Music At The Mission, Outpost In The Burbs, The Mainstage, Minstrel Coffee House, Black Potatoe Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and many more clubs and concert halls opening for artists such as Steve Forbert, John Gorka, Ellis Paul, Richie Havens, Ollabell, Roger McGuinn, as well as headlining her own shows.
"she's building a following there and throughout the Metropolitan area. She writes songs that sound like they can come from the Heartland, but they also really come from the heart." John Platt WFUV 90.7 (Roger McGuinn at Mainstage Concert)
"Loretta has a magnificent voice and is a terrific performer! Great new CD!"
Jim Monaghan WDHA FM All Mixed Up Radio Show
Loretta Hagen - Something More
The title of this CD might refer to the singer's voice. There is indeed something more in Loretta Hagen's vocals.
Although she's from New Jersey, the material has a country feel, having been recorded while Loretta lived in Nashville.
With her big alto, she covers many of the standard subjects &emdash; love found, love lost, love missed, love almost found and a
whole lot of personal redemption. All of it is gripping and real and it's mainly due to Loretta's big voice. R.Cuccaro, Acoustic Live Magazine
New York Times “her music blends a good mix of Americana genres, including folk, country, rock and blues”
I’m Coming Up, from the CD Something More is Loretta Hagen playing to her strengths and succeeding, magnificently. Kris K- Gods of Music Reviewer, The Best Indie Music On The Net. Quiet Storm Publishing
“Loretta Hagen isn't all
country, all rock or all blues. She falls somewhere
in between, melding the genres with
her mellow acoustics, her raspy voice and
her earthy lyrics.”
-Surburban Trends Newspaper
The Sunday Record “….talented, dusky-voiced Loretta Hagen…”
Sweden’s Aftonbladet “The Swedish summer has arrived and I have 10 CDs in my suitcase. One of them is Loretta Hagen from NJ, similar to Nanci Griffith, a little more edgier, a little more country."
Contact: Michelle Fortier
Wingschell Entertainment- Wingschell@yahoo.com
862- 324 -5565
On the web:Lorettahagen.com
Myspace.com/lorettahagen
You Tube
Instrumentation
Trio:
Acoustic guitar/vocals L.Hagen
Acoustic/elec guitar/vocals-Gary Hagen
Sara Gallmann-background vocals
Full Band includes-
Drums-Debby Maggiulli
Bass- Teri Avella
Discography
Loretta Hagen (1996 release)
Don't Stop Me Now (1998 release)
Something More (2002 release)
Sundown Till Dawn (2008)