Loretta Hagen

"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)

Following her critically acclaimed 2002 CD, Something More, co produced by Pat McInerney(Nanci Griffith) Loretta recorded her latest release called Sundown Till Dawn, a CD consisting of 12 self penned songs that is receiving high marks by reviewers, radio DJs and listeners and being aired on radio stations around the country and Europe . Stations such as WFUV, WFDU, WNTI, WDHA, to name a few, as well as many internet radio programs and podcasts.  Loretta Hagen - Sundown Till Dawn
“ so brilliantly conceived lyrically, they seem 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 http://www.acousticlive.com/dec_10.htm

"Loretta has a magnificent voice and is a terrific performer! Great new CD! Jim Monaghan WDHA FM All Mixed Up Radio Show

The title track of Loretta Hagen's CD, "Sundown Till Dawn", is her most personal recording to date. After her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease seven years ago, Loretta wrote a heartfelt song that paints a clear picture of how her mom and her family have suffered dealing with the changes and challenges that come with such a terrible disease.

The title track Sundown Till Dawn is on the soundtrack of a feature documentary film "Ten Mountains, Ten Years”. The world premiere at the Connecticut Film Festival May 5, 2010 earned "Best Documentary Film" at Palace Theatre in Danbury CT, 400 patrons gave cast and crew 2 standing ovations.  Bruce Springsteen contributed the song "Leap Of Faith"  to the soundtrack, Leeza Gibbons opened the film and actress AnneHathaway narrated! The West Coast Premiere is Aug. 15 at the Egyptian Grauman's Theatre in Hollywood CA! The LA based 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. Being a tireless advocate for Alzheimer's disease, she was chosen by the National Alzheimer's Association to perform her song Sundown Till Dawn, during the Candlelight Vigil on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC for the Public Policy Forum and was featured on the cover of the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association Winter Newsletter.

Loretta honed her writing and recording skills in Nashville . There she 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’s managers, asking her to relocate to the northeast where she shared shows with J.W. The experience was exciting for Loretta and she gained a new audience outside of the country and folk genres.

Loretta’s songwriting awards include ASCAP PLUS Awards, Billboard Song Contest, and Music City Song Contest. Film credits "10 Mountains 10 Years for "Sundown Till Dawn".

Loretta Hagen  can be found performing solo, duo or trio with Gary Hagen on guitar/vocals, and Sara Gallmann on background vocals or with her full band with Debbie Maggiulli on drums, and Teri Avella on bass.

"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 - Sundown Till Dawn
"2008 has been good to Loretta Hagen. 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 http://www.acousticlive.com/dec_10.htm

New York Times “her music blends a good mix of Americana genres, including folk, country, rock and blues”
 

“Loretta has a rich voice and her songs were insightful. The title track from her album Sundown Till Dawn was personal and poignant and was written for her mother who has Alzheimer's disease. Another tune was a call to compassion and "Mirror, Mirror" was a wistful song reflecting on life and moments in time.” Rich and Laura Lynch SoundPress.nethttp://www.kweevak.com/files-articles/rd_art_2010_01_24_gin_blossoms.php (Gin Blossoms concert at Outpost In The Burbs)

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

  "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

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."

“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