WEST MILFORD — West Milford's own Loretta Hagen took home the "Top Female Songwriter" award at the 4th annual Jersey Acoustic Music Awards last Sunday.
The awards were given out at the historic Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove.
The Top Female Songwriter award was presented to Hagen by Saturday Afternoon Song Swap co-host Deena Shoshkes and Crossroads owner Lee Frankel. Both promoters have hosted Hagen at their events.
Music at the Mission, the non-profit, all volunteer music venue in West Milford, received a JAM Appreciation Award for Best Supporter of Original Music.
The JAM Appreciation Award is for a nominee that has supported original music.
Music at the Mission is in its 10th season of presenting live music in West Milford.
Presenter Shoshkes revealed the Top Female Songwriter by reading, "For a songwriter who brings her songs to life with a gentle sincerity and tongue in cheek musings, in her depiction of the human experience. Her latest full length release is receiving praise among Roots and Americana circles nationally and we are proud to call her our own from New Jersey. The JAM Awards recognizes Loretta Hagen as Top Female Songwriter."
Accompanying Loretta at the event was her husband and guitarist Gary Hagen. Hagen was surprised and elated.
“I was so shocked when I heard my name called for the award, I think my eyebrows touched the ceiling of the theater," said Hagen. "Gary said he wished he got a picture of the look on my face at that moment! It was a wonderful day filled with great music and energy. It was an honor to receive the award among many great nominees. Thanks to the Jam Awards committee, MOAM and Kishore for a wonderful event and a memory I will cherish.”
Hagen also performed the title track of her new album, "Mud and Stone," at the ceremony.
Hagen is also the 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. She has been invited as a panelist to speak about getting your music heard on radio in Rhode Island at the 2013 Mini NERFA June 1, and will perform at the New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Friday, July 12 in Ringwood.
The JAM Awards were created to recognize local New Jersey original music acts. It has evolved over the years and continues to grow to be an awards program that represents original music throughout the state. Awards were presented in 32 categories, and boasted performances from all corners of the state from 50 original acts.
More information is available at www.jamawards.org. For more information about Hagen, visit lorettahagen.com/.