WEST MILFORD — West Milford resident, Loretta Hagen has been nominated for two Jersey Acoustic Music (JAM) Awards, including “Top Female Songwriter of the Year” and “Album of the Year,” for her new album, "Mud and Stone."
This is not only a great honor but also a nod of approval from peers and industry professionals for her album.
The JAM Awards are New Jersey’s version of the Grammy’s. Hagen will perform April 7 at the historic Jersey Shore Arts Center, in Ocean Grove. The prestigious event boasts red carpet appearances and interviews from 1 to 2 p.m. and an awards gala that will host performances by the best New Jersey has to offer from 2 to 9 p.m. DJ’s, venue promoters, past winners, news and TV media from throughout the state are among the presenters of the evening.
The JAM Awards were created to recognize local New Jersey original music acts. They have evolved over the years and continue to grow to be an awards program that represents original music throughout the state of New Jersey.
“Mud and Stone” was released by Massachusetts-based Trespass Music in March 2012, and represents Hagen’s maturing distinction as a songwriter of merit, worthy of attention.
For Hagen, being nominated for “Top Female Songwriter of the Year” and “Album of the Year,” along with the opportunity to perform at the gala event, is special. “I am really looking forward to the JAM Awards ceremony. It’s such a thrill and an honor to be among the nominees representing my home state and it feels great to be recognized for the hard work and passion that went into the recording of 'Mud and Stone',” said Hagen.
“Mud and Stone” is one part Americana, two parts folk, and a dash of country-flavored rock. Hagen’s rich alto vocals, polished, award-winning lyrics, and tightly woven harmonies are the hallmark of her career and are highlights throughout the album. The album remained on the Folk DJ and Roots Music Report Charts for months, debuting at #10 for top album, and #5 for top song for the title track “Mud and Stone” on Folk DJ Charts. Hagen’s album debuted on the Roots Music Report Chart at #1 for the State of NJ, maintaining its place for several weeks, and reaching #5 for top 50 folk albums for Roots Music Report Charts.
Among Hagen’s many accomplishments in 2012 and 2013, she signed with the Trespass Music roster, shared the stage with Pete Seeger, Tony Trischka, Eric Bazillian and more, playing premier venues across the northeast, such as The Living Room in New York and Listen Live Music in Pennsylvania. Radio interviews included WFUV’s Sunday Breakfast with host John Platt (NYC) and WIOX’s Mostly Folk with host Artie Martello (NY). Hagen’s album has hit many Best of and Top lists of 2012 including #1 by Radio Nowhere host Joe Pszonek of WMSC, (NJ), Winner Best Female Folk for “Mud and Stone” by LadyLake Music (FL) and featured on “We Like It So There.” Roots Music Report placed “Mud and Stone” at #40 of the Top 100 Albums of the Year, and #64 Folk on the DJ Radio Top Albums of the Year. Hagen is a 2011 winner of the New Jersey Folk Festival Songwriter Competition, earned an official showcase at the 2012 Boston Mini NERFA and is a 2012 Connecticut Folk Festival Songwriting Competition finalist.
For more information about Hagen, visit TrespassMusic.com or her Web site at LorettaHagen.com.