REO Songwriters Retreat 14th Annual - Aug 11-16, 2013 - British Columbia Only 11 Seats Remain........
Jason Blume, Karen Taylor-Good & Deborah Holland - 3 Legendary Songwriting Mentors in an Incredible Setting!
Jason Blume has songs on thr
ee Grammy-nominated albums and, in total, his songs have sold more than 50,000,000 copies. He is one of a few writers to ever have songs on the pop, country, and R&B charts….all at the same time! Superstars from Britney Spears to the Backstreet Boys have recorded his songs. Others include Jesse McCartney, Scandinavian star Christian Ingebrigtsen, Tomohisa Yamashita (#1 debut), and country stars Collin Raye (6 cuts), Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Azar, and John Berry. “Change My Mind”, a top 5 single, earned a BMI “Million-Aire” Award for garnering one million airplays.
Praised as one of the world’s top songwriting instructors, Blume developed and teaches the BMI Nashville Songwriters workshops. He presented an acclaimed master class at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (founded by Sir Paul McCartney) and has taught throughout the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Jason Blume is the author of 6 Steps to Songwriting Success: The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs, Inside Songwriting: Getting to the Heart of Creativity, and This Business of Songwriting, Revised 2nd Edition (2013). www.jasonblume.com/
Karen Taylor-Good is a Grammy-Nominated singer-songwriter, ACM-nominated "best new artist" and SESAC Songwriter of the Year. She has sung on recordings and movie soundtracks with Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Elvis and many others. Her songs have been recorded by Melissa Manchester, Al Jarreau, Patty Loveless, Collin Raye (11 cuts) and Diamond Rio. Her songs have been chosen as “Flagship” songs for organizations like Childhelp USA, the National Hospice Foundation and Compassionate Friends. Her Grammy nomination for the Patty Loveless hit “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye” went to #3 on the Billboard charts. Karen also had a #1 song on the Billboard Dance charts..."If It Don't Fit" by Abigail. Finally, Karen was a staff-writer at Warner/Chappell for 9 years, and was sent to Europe many times to cowrite with European W/C artists. www.karentaylorgood.com/
Deborah Holland was the lead singer, songwriter and co-founder of Animal Logic with drummer Stewart Copeland of The Police and acclaimed jazz bassist Stanley Clarke. The band released two critcally acclaimed albums, appeared on David Letterman, The Tonight Show, VH-1, MTV, recorded a duet with Jackson Browne, and performed live at Radio City Music Hall in New York and other major venues throughout the world. After four solo CDs that garnered international radio play and continued Deborah's extensive touring career, she now records and tours with Cindy Bullens & Wendy Waldman as the folk/Americana "super-group" The Refugees. Their first CD "Unbound" won Independent Artists Music Award's Overall Grand Prize and First Prize (BEST GROUP) in 2009. Deborah has also scored several films, and has written and/or performed dozens of songs for film and television. She is Professor Emeritus of Commercial Music at California State University and currently teaches songwriting at Langara College in Vancouver, BC. www.deborahholland.net/
What makes the REO Songwriters retreat different from any other songwriting camp?
Start with an incredible setting right on the edge of a beautiful jade-green river canyon. Then add: - Three of the best songwriting mentors on the planet
- A low instructor-to-student ratio to enhance intimacy and one-on-one time with our instructors and songwriters.
- A private critique session with your choice of instructor/mentor.
- Co-writing sessions, daily social hour & open-mics.
- A FREE adventure depending on availability
- Snow-capped mountains, rushing rapids, wildflowers and wilderness.
All-inclusive Prices: 14 songwriting sessions, all meals, adventure-resort amenities
The REO Songwriters Retreat is all-inclusive of tuition, meals, choice of lodging, beverages, snacks, resort amenities (hot tub, hot showers, private beach), 1-on-1 critiques & evening sessions for 6-day/5-night retreat. $1 US = $1 CDN (May 2013) - the actual exchange rate is determined by your bank on the payment date. The following are early-bird registration prices, which require full payment by May 31, 2013. Please add $75 pp for bookings after this date.| Early-Bird Pricing (Payment by May 31) | Adult | Youth U21 | Spouse/Family |
| Camping in own tent/RV | $875 | $795 | $625 |
| Cabin tent with linen (4 sharing; twin beds) | $975 | $875 | $725 |
| Cabin tent with linen (3 sharing; twin beds) | $1075 | $950 | $825 |
| Cabin tent with linen (2 sharing; twin beds) | $1175 | N/A | $925 |
| Deluxe tent with linen (2 sharing; Queen bed) | $1275 | N/A | $975 |
| Luxury tent with linen (2 sharing; King bed) | $1375 | N/A | $1025 |
| Deluxe tent with linen (Single occ; Queen bed) | $1475 | N/A | N/A |
| Luxury tent with linen (single occ; Queen or King) | $1675 | N/A | N/A |
Note: Spouse rate includes non-retreat spouse/partner and family including youth. A $400 CDN non-refundable deposit per person will secure your seat and accommodation option. TAXI and Songlink members, please contact us for special offer (valid until May 15, 2013).
Retreat Contact: Bryan Fogelman, 604-307-3122 or 800-736-7238 bryan@reorafting.com
Check out our photo gallery from our previous retreats.
2013 Retreat Highlights
- Private one-on-one session with one instructor!
- Melody, Vocal and Performance Master Classes
- Evening open-mic and campfire entertainment!
- Songcrafting Master Classes
- Co-writing sessions
- Song Critiques and Peer Review
- Inspirational setting on the edge of the river
- Beautiful adventure resort amenities
- Free whitewater rafting or scenic float trip!
REO is a recreational paradise for rafting, hiking, kayaking, biking, and canoeing. After a day of inspirational songwriting, unwind on the private beach, walk the picturesque nature trail or soak in the riverside hot tub. Our wilderness chefs will impress you with their daily creations. Evenings are special with a fun and relaxing night of campfire entertainment.
Vancouver International Airport: Start times and Retreat Info
The retreat check-in is Sunday afternoon (August 11) at 5:30 PM. If arriving from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), allow 3.5 hours drive from the airport.
Weekly car rentals start at $250 US for the week so renting and sharing a car is economical and gives you flexibility. The evening social hour begins each day at 6:30 pm. Wine, beer and soft drinks are served with appies. All meals are included in your retreat package from Sunday dinner to Friday checkout at 11 AM (August 16).
From Seattle, (SEA-TAC airport) is 4.5 hours south of REO. We recommend you fly in on Saturday or arrive no later than 11:30 AM on Sunday at SeaTac. The retreat officially opens at 6 pm on August 11th with our social hour. Fares from Seattle are usually 30-35% less than Vancouver arrivals from USA destinations.
REO will offer up to two airport shuttles. a pre-retreat shuttle will depart at 2:30 pm on Friday August 9 (add $80 pp each way) . The shuttle returns to the airport at 10 am on Friday August 16th. If demand exists, we will run a second shuttle leaving YVR at 1 pm on Sunday August 11, returning 10 am Friday August 16. We recommend air departures from Vancouver after 4:30 or 5 pm to allow enough time for travel and check-in.
Please call for details on our amazing pre and post-retreat package options. Many retreat guests arrive early for some downtime prior to the retreat start or possibly another rafting or adventure activity.
Bryan Fogelman, Retreat Organizer
Click on the image below to see our 2012 Retreat Brochure:
REO Songwriter Retreat Instructor Alumni (1998 to 2012)
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#1: The Songwriters Guide to Metaphor: "How, then, do we break through the barriers of the well ordered conscious mind and get to where the honest impulses, the richest ideas, the deepest passions live? Waiting on the muse to ascend is a fool's errand." - Mike Reid (from his foreword to Songwriting Without Boundaries http://www.patpattison.com/books/?id=8).Metaphor opens a portal beyond what’s in front of you; it opens your vision, allowing you to see the world as something more. This seminar will help you develop the most creative part of your voice: your ability to see one thing as though it were another your ability to create metaphor. Aristotle called it, "the only truly creative human act." #2: Phrasing: The Body Language of Your Song. This seminar will give you important keys to phrasing your lyrics for the most impact and support of meaning. Working with rhythms and placements, you'll learn how to make sure that the line, like body language, helps to really deliver the emotion you intend. This is another "can't miss" seminar -- it's bound to take your writing to the next level. #3: Tools and Strategies: Sharpen your lyric writing skills and discover the techniques that have helped Pat's students, including John Mayer and Gillian Welch, win Grammys and write number one songs. In this seminar, you'll learn how to craft more vivid lyrics by mastering the elements of structure and the process of building great lyrical ideas into great songs. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned writer, this course will help you structure your lyrics more effectively. |
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#1: Social Media Management for Songwriters: #2: Web Marketing for Musicians: |
 Steve Leslie (2012)Steve is a Grammy-winning songwriter, educator, music publisher & songwriting mentor. As a staff writer for EMI Music Publishing he had cuts with Kenny Rogers, Mark Chesnutt, George Strait, Darryl Worley and Neal McCoy. He received a Grammy for "Brand New Strings", the title cut to Ricky Skaggs' 2004 Bluegrass Album of the Year. Steve is an Adjunct Professor of Songwriting at Belmont College in Nashville and currently rehearsing his new musical “Umbrella”, a romantic comedy with 14 original songs. www.steveleslie.com #1: Chords as Adjectives: Along with the lyric, chords are responsible for conveying the intended meaning and emotion of the song. Chords can support the adjectives in the lyric, supply the adjectives, and work against the adjectives to produce irony. Knowledge of chord substitution will help you do this by expanding your choices of basic chords to include more subtle alternatives. This class has proved helpful to songwriters of all levels. #2: Writing the Big Chorus: How to set up and deliver a "knock-it-out-of-the-park" chorus- the hallmark of many Hit Songs! Which chord progressions do this most effectively? How can you make your melodic and lyric choices really "pay off"? These questions and more will be answered along with a little human psychology thrown in! #3: The Art of Crafting the Country Song: The authentic (traditional) Country Song is as much an art form as the Blues and Jazz- you know it when you hear it! I'll uncover the characteristics that make a Country Song what it is, and show you how to craft your own. #4: Modulation: It's more than just your typical "American Idol" moment! Modulation- a change of key that occurs within a song- is an extremely effective harmonic device that can add interest and emotional excitement to your song, and not just during the Chorus sections! With artful handling, modulation can be great, and it's easy to do. Warning: It can also come across as a little corny, so learn to handle with care! |
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As the lead singer, songwriter and co-founder of Animal Logic with drummer Stewart Copeland of The Police and jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, DEBORAH HOLLAND was introduced to the world via two critcally acclaimed albums, appearances on David Letterman, The Tonight Show, VH-1, MTV, a recorded duet with Jackson Browne, and live performances at Radio City Music Hall in New York, The Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles and other major venues throughout the world. After four solo CDs that garnered international
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A Grammy-nominated songwriter with huge international hits including “Have a Heart” and “Love Letter”, which restored Bonnie Raitt to superstardom with the multi-platinum, multi-Grammy-winning CD Nick of Time. Writing for artists as diverse as Bette Midler, Robert Cray, Adam Ant, David Crosby, Booker T and the MG's, and Cher, Bonnie has continued to craft songs one critic described as "sparkling clockwork mechanisms with a tendency to do the unexpected." Plus, Bonnie has toured as a keyboardist/backing vocalist with such arena acts as Belinda Carlisle and Billy Idol. |
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Steve is one of Nashville’s top songwriters with seven #1 hits and cuts by Kenny Chesney, Alabama, Peter Frampton, John Michael Montgomery (“Life’s a Dance”) and Tim McGraw f or the Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry”. Steve is also a successful performer, recording artist, and keynote speaker for songwriting associations across North America. www.steveseskin.com
Renee Grant-Williams (2010) Voice teacher Renee Grant-Williams clientele includes the Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Linda Ronstadt, Christina Aguilera, Randy Travis, Tim McGraw, Miley Cyrus, Kix Brooks, Chicago, Jessica Andrews, Bob Weir, Kenny Chesney, among others. Record company executives, artist managers, and world renowned producers send their clients to Renee for one simple reason - after singers work with Renee, they're better . She doesn't just work with stars, she helps create them.
Renee's formal education took place at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she also taught. She served as the Director of the Division of Vocal Music at the University of California, Berkeley and worked as a Musical Director at the Actors Studio in Manhattan before eventually establishing permanent residence in Nashville. www.myvoicecoach.com |
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Mark Simos (2010) Acclaimed "neo-traditionalist" songwriter Mark Simos brings a deep grounding in American roots music - old time, bluegrass, Celtic - to his work. His signature style, combining finely crafted lyrics with surprising turns of melody and modal harmonies, has yielded four songs recorded by Alison Krauss and Union Station, and 100+ cuts overall with artists including Del McCoury, the Infamous Stringdusters, Doyle Lawson and Laurie Lewis. As a songwriting professor at Berklee College of Music, Mark's teaching combines solid technical content with explorations and exercises developed at dozens of workshops, camps and clinics over the years. In his writing and teaching, he champions craft, diversity, versatility, risk-taking, and innovation through renewal of timeless forms. |
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