narrator
Tret Fure was born in 1951 in Schaller, Iowa, and spent her childhood across Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan, calling the Upper Peninsula home. Raised in a musically inclined household, she learned the violin, piano, and guitar at a young age. In high school, Fure regularly performed at local venues, alongside her older brother. At 18, Fure left the Midwest to attend the University of California, Berkeley. During her first year, widespread campus protests led her to leave school and pursue music full-time. Immersed in California’s music scene, she connected with many fellow lesbian musicians. She met June Millington, with whom she shared a personal and professional partnership that transformed her life and career forever. Alongside her performing career, Fure is a pioneer in sound engineering, being only one of two women in the field in LA during the 1970s and 80s. Millington and Fure eventually broke up, but Fure met Cris Williamson, another key figure in the LA women’s music world. After 20 years with Williamson, the pair parted ways in 2000. Fure relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, where she opened a clothing store with her partner at the time. Fure has released 18 albums and performed at venues nationwide, including in Northampton, Massachusetts. Fure remains active in the Unitarian Universalist church and is a proud member and leader of Local 1000, the traveling musicians’ union. As of 2025, Fure is still touring, teaching guitar, and songwriting. She now lives in Newport News, Virginia, with her wife of 9 years, and they have four children, and a grandchild, who have greatly impacted Fure’s life and music career.
abstract
In this oral history, singer-songwriter Tret Fure reflects on her life, career, and identity as a lesbian. Beginning with her upbringing in the Upper Peninsula, Fure traces the roots of her musical passion and how her childhood shaped her artistic path. After moving to California, to attend UC Berkeley, Fure began to pursue music full-time, eventually moving to LA, where she became an integral part of the mainstream music scene. In 1980, she moved into the women’s music scene. Through her career, Fure connected with many lesbian musicians, forming both personal and professional bonds that influenced her life trajectory. A longtime advocate for the rights of touring musicians, Fure has served as a leader in the Local 1000 union. Still touring in 2025, Fure brings a rich perspective on the evolution of music scenes across the country, including in Northampton, Massachusetts. Fure has been married for nearly a decade, with four children and a grandchild, who have greatly impacted her life, music career, and identity.