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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Growing up in New England, the culture of country is often lost. Despite being one of the most popular genres in the country, the north tends to shy away a bit from music that originated in the South, and continues to thrive in places like Nashville, Austin, and others. Jorene Lange, born and raised in Rhode Island, is one of the major exceptions to this rule. Now a Massachusetts resident, Lange is a vocalist and performer who pays tribute to Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. On Tuesday, April 4, Lange performed at the Walpole Public Library, bringing together a rather idiosyncratic crowd to enjoy some of country’s most iconic music.
Lange has been entertaining in the area for the past six years. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, music was a way to Lange to escape and keep hope. Now in remission, Lange has performed hundreds of shows in her mere six years of performance, and all without a website. Many of her gigs comes from word of mouth or recommendations, and have included festivals, fundraising events, and private parties. She particularly enjoys singing at memorial services for fallen soldiers, and has even written her own song for American Veterans. “I feel very blessed to be able to do something good, to make people smile, bringing them back to the time when the music and the lyrics were real, and tell a story,” Lange said.
The crowd was made up of a wide range of ages, from seniors swaying along to a girl no older than ten in the back dancing to the songs with her mom. Lange was accompanied by her husband, Steven Lange, a professional guitarist. Their rapport and banter only added to the overall joy of the event.
Presenting the music of these country legends to young and old alike, Lange’s performances not only bring enjoyment to those in the audience, but a sense of community as well.
