This is Loretta Hagen
By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photo credits: Dan Meredith and Loretta Hagen
Former Rutherford resident and talented singer-songwriter, Loretta Hagen, recently returned to her hometown to perform at Rutherford's Porchfest on October 17th. Her journey back to her hometown has been one filled with amazing performances, songs, album releases, and so much more. This is Rutherford interviewed Loretta to learn more about her life in Rutherford and her career.
TIR: Tell us about growing up in Rutherford. When did you live here? What are some of your favorite memories?
Loretta Hagen: I lived in Rutherford from the time I was born until I got married to my husband Gary Hagen in my early 20s and moved to an apartment in Lyndhurst.
Growing up in Rutherford then, the town was very different than it is today, it didn’t have its modern look, trendy stores and restaurants like it has today. It had more of a small town feel to it back then. It was a dry town until recent years. Sometimes we would call it Mayberry Rutherford, (like the tv show) because almost everyone seemed to know each other. We had our favorite places to eat like Paisano's Pizza, Ernie’s Deli, the best deli around that had the best coleslaw and potato salad. We had Berger King and Roy Rogers, places we went to after school. I attended St. Mary’s School, grammar school through Senior year when I wrote one of my earliest songs with my best friend Dianne for the senior graduation.
Some of my favorite memories of growing up in Rutherford were in winter; snow sledding down the hill in the back of Pierrepont School or ice skating (trying to) in Memorial field. Just hanging out with my friends in the park. Having Sunday dinners with my family. My mother made the best Macaroni and meatballs and we always looked forward to Sunday dinners.
TIR: When did you become interested in music?
LH: I became interested in music at a very young age. There was always music playing in our house. My sisters, Maryann, Joanie and Dolores, had their records playing in their rooms, my brother Nick listening in his room. My father was a musician. He played the saxophone, bugle, the accordion, a little bit of guitar and harmonica. He played in big band music bands when he was young. My mother had a beautiful voice and would sing along to her favorite records. We had cousins who were musicians and singers, one was a songwriter.
One thing that really caught my interest in playing the guitar was a little guitar that my best friend and neighbor Robert had in his basement. Every time I would visit him, I would admire that guitar. One day, I asked my parents if I could take lessons. So, my father brought home a guitar for me and I was ecstatic! . My brother was also interested in taking accordion lessons so my father found a music school in Kearny called the National Conservatory of Music. There we learned our instruments and singing lessons, but I wanted to learn how to play like my favorite artists Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Melanie, and so many more but the school wasn’t teaching me how to finger pick and do barre chords yet.
I have a cousin, Pat, who was a singer-songwriter and we both liked lots of the same artists so he would come over with his guitar and teach me some of my favorite songs that were fun to play. Another person who inspired me to become a performer was my brother in law Dave, who used to produce concerts in the area. He would take me to shows and I could go backstage and watch what went on behind the scenes. I think that is when I caught the bug!
Dave introduced me to a Rutherford resident, singer songwriter and concert producer, John Dull. John’s mom took my very first promo photo when I was 16 or 17 yrs old. Since then, John has presented many shows in Rutherford and I was grateful to be included in them and sharing the stage with artists like Pete Seeger and Richie Havens.
TIR: When did you start recording and performing music?
LH: I knew my husband since we were kids. Our parents were friends so Gary was around a lot. He was good friends with my brother and he played the guitar. He and my brother played as a duo for a while. Gary and I didn’t start playing music together until after high school. I have to say that I have learned more from Gary about playing, producing records, learning to play with a band, just about every aspect of music. He is an incredible guitarist, sound man, studio engineer, he is an all around musician. And I’m not being biased. We started recording on my first tape recorder, a Teac four track reel to reel. (Now I’m dating myself). I had been writing songs for a little while, my first was when I was fourteen, nothing I would dare show anyone today.
Fast forward to years of writing and recording, playing in clubs and bars in the tri-state area led to a six year stay in Nashville where we had an amazing education in songwriting and music. We came back to NJ and moved to West Milford where we joined a music venue called Music At The Mission as volunteers and board members. From there we really got immersed in performing at premier venues, opening shows for our favorite artists, recording my music and getting radio play. It’s been a long and wonderful ride.
TIR: Who are the members of your band?
LH: For many years now, we have been playing with a great group of musicians who are not only band members, but also great friends. Linda Lambiase on djembe and background vocals, Debby Maggiulli on percussion and background vocals, Teri Avella on Bass and Gary Hagen on acoustic and electric guitars and background vocals.
TIR: Where have been some of your favorite places to perform?
LH: Some of my favorite places we’ve played are The Outpost in The Burbs, in Montclair, The Turning Point in Piermont, NY, Music At The Mission in West Milford, the Mayo Center in Morristown, and the Williams Center in Rutherford. There were so many great venues but the one I will always cherish is playing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the National and NJ Alzheimers Associations. I wrote a song called “Sundown Till Dawn” about my mother’s struggle with the disease and I was asked to perform it at a Public Policy Forum conference in Washington DC.
TIR: What was it like coming back to Rutherford and performing during Porchfest on the porch of your sister's home - the house you grew up in?
LH: Coming back to Rutherford was such a thrill because I was able to play for friends and family that can’t always come out to far away shows. It always brings back so many memories when I am in town.
PorchFest was great too because playing on my sister's and brother-in-law's porch was really fun and they went all out with food and hot drinks not only for us but for the other bands and listeners. It was a really great day!!
TIR: Can you tell us more about what you are currently working on and what you have coming up?
LH: Now, we are working on finishing a new record. We hope to have it finished by mid-winter. We are taking time off from gigs so we can work on it but we have a show coming up at the Otisville Sanctuary on November 14th. and in April 17th at The Sacred Bean Coffeehouse in Flanders, and the NJ Botanical Gardens on August 6th. There will be more shows coming up in the Spring. Best to check my website Lorettahagen.com or my Facebook page (@LorettaHagen) for updates.
Coming back to play in my hometown was a thrill. Rutherford will always be home to me.
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