Curtis & Loretta are a husband-and-wife musical duo whose passion for folk music is evident in every note they play. Their commitment to the genre transcends mere profession; it is a lifelong dedication that they cannot envision stepping away from. The duo's rich harmonies, paired with their expertise on a diverse array of stringed instruments, provide a captivating backdrop for both their poignant original compositions and carefully selected traditional songs from the British Isles and America. Their current collection of instruments includes the Celtic harp, mandocello, mandolin, guitars, clawhammer banjo, and National steel ukulele, alongside occasional contributions from kazoo, harmonica, shakers, and spoons.
Curtis and Loretta's journey began 33 years ago when they were married in Santiago, Mexico. Originating from different backgrounds—Curtis from Texas and Loretta from Minnesota—they first met 42 years ago in California and later chose Mexico as the place to tie the knot ten years later.
Their musical partnership was sparked on the very first day they met in 1977, and since then, they have traveled extensively in a series of mini-vans, bringing their distinctive folk singer-songwriter style to audiences across the nation. From venues like the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis and Fiddling Cricket Concerts in San Jose to the Sarasota Folk Club in Florida and the Fox Valley Folk Festival in Chicago, they have garnered a loyal following throughout the United States.
An evening with Curtis & Loretta offers a compelling blend of humor and emotion, with their original songs and traditional pieces seamlessly intertwined through their close harmonies and varied instrumentation. Their extensive experience performing together has cultivated a natural and engaging stage presence.
Loretta's original songs have resonated deeply with audiences, earning her an Artist Initiative Grant in Music from the Minnesota State Arts Board in 2015. She embarked on a project to write twelve songs about remarkable individuals who have triumphed over adversity. The subjects include a woman who donated a kidney to a child she did not know, a Native American man who faced discrimination and abuse while growing up in a state orphanage, and a Somali woman who overcame hardship to become a nurse at the Mayo Clinic. Loretta conducted interviews with each individual while Curtis captured their stories through photography, reflecting their intrinsic connection to folk music. They plan to record a CD featuring these songs for release in November 2015.
Previously, their songwriting has addressed significant issues, including Alzheimer's, the Holocaust, and the conflict in the Balkans. For instance, "Can You Take Me Home? ("Just My Heart For You")" narrates Loretta's mother's experience caring for her father during a decade of Alzheimer's, while "Angel of Bergen-Belsen" recounts the story of Luba Tryszynska-Frederick, a Holocaust survivor who saved 54 children during WWII. After writing this song, Curtis and Loretta sought out Luba, forming a meaningful friendship until her passing in 2009. "Elza and Branko: The Siege of Sarajevo ("Where You Hang Your Hat")" reflects on the courage of an elderly couple who endured the siege of their city, and they maintained a relationship with Elza, even after she became widowed.
In addition to their more serious themes, Curtis & Loretta also infuse humor into their repertoire, with songs about lutefisk, those who are always right, insects, and harp players attempting to sneak into heaven.
Rick Mason noted in City Pages A-List that "Curtis and Loretta are in many ways the quintessential folk duo: finely honed vocal harmonies of multidimensional intrigue, abundant talent on an array of stringed instruments, deep traditional roots, great originals, and equally strong strains of gravity and playful irreverence."
In 2010, they were awarded an Arts Tour Minnesota Grant from the State Arts Board, leading to the presentation of nineteen historical concerts centered around the 1800s across the state. In 2002, they were recognized as "Best Acoustic Performers of the Twin Cities" by City Pages.
