2023 SONG TRAVELERS RETREAT
November 2nd -6th, 2023
Eagle Point Retreat; North East, Maryland
Contact: Wyatt Easterling
615-424-2050
Song Travelers focuses on your personal writer’s voice and goals, so there will be something for all levels of writing experience and skill. You do not have to play an instrument to attend, and you do not have to have written a song, just have a strong desire.
Our goal is to create an environment for you to find your inspiration, effectively put your ideas to music, refine your songwriting and co-writing skills, overcome what holds you back from your self-expression and leave with the ability to write better songs. Amazing things happen when we show up for ourselves.
Below are two examples of songs written at Song Travelers Songwriting Retreat
VENUE - EAGLE POINT
Eagle Point Retreat; North East, Maryland
INSTRUCTORS & SPECIAL GUESTS
Wyatt Easterling
Platinum Songwriter & Producer Wyatt Easterling has enjoyed a star-studded career working with a who's who list of top tier Nashville Country and Pop music artists over the years including Michael Johnson, Neal McCoy, and John Michael Montgomery, Keith Urban, Paul Thorn and more. He is currently focusing on his own touring and recording as well as new artist production and development. He founded Song Travelers Songwriting Retreat in 2014.
Abigail Dowd
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Abigail Dowd grew up under the longleaf pines of North Carolina and comes from a long line of musicians. Known for her storytelling and command of an audience. she has been called "a writer of the highest caliber" (All Scene Eye). Acoustic Guitar magazine has described her music as: “the guitar-driven introspective folk of the 1970s is a touchstone, but so are blues and roots rock ’n’ roll." Dowd's latest album, "Beautiful Day" was released on April 23, 2021.
Joe Newberry
Known around the world for his clawhammer banjo playing, Joe Newberry is also a powerful guitarist, singer and songwriter. A longtime and frequent guest on A Prairie Home Companion, he was a featured singer on a Transatlantic Sessions tour of the UK, and at the Transatlantic Session's debut at Merlefest. The Gibson Brothers’ version of his song “Singing As We Rise” won an IBMA “Gospel Recorded Performance” Award, and with Eric Gibson, he shared an IBMA “Song of the Year” Award for “They Called It Music.” He plays in a duo with mandolin icon Mike Compton, and also performs with the dynamic fiddler and step-dancer April Verch.
Gentle Morning Yoga
w/ Abigail
Everyone is invited to participate in a gentle yoga practice led by Abigail each morning. We will wake up our bodies with movement and breath work to prepare for a day of songwriting and collaboration.
No prior experience is necessary.
Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat or something to stretch on.
Feel free to contact Abigail with any questions: music@abigaildowd.com
John Allen Frink
Guitarist Workshop
Known for his unique guitar-playing style and fine baritone voice, John Allen Frink was raised in a family that listened to the music of Gene Autry and Scott Joplin on an old 78-rpm record player.
John’s father taught him to play the ukulele at age eight, and his passion for the acoustic guitar began with his 10th birthday, when he convinced his parents to buy him a $16.95 guitar he saw in the Sears Roebuck catalog. John's song list draws from the works of his musical heroes, including Etta Baker, Norman Blake, Elizabeth Cotten, Steve Gillette, Tony Rice, Bill Staines, and Doc Watson.
Based in Newark, Delaware, John has performed on radio and television, at coffeehouses, concerts, and festivals. He has opened for Len Chandler, Jim Croce, The Greenbriar Boys, and Bill Staines. He appears regularly with the Delaware-based acoustic groups Whirled Peas and Gunpowder Lane.
Todd Breck
Harmonica Workshop
For this retreat I'll be providing an introduction into playing the harmonica, with a smattering of history, harmonica types, styles of playing, and other tidbits to help you better understand this versatile and handy instrument.
NOTE: You'll need to bring your own harp in the key of G . You can find one on Amazon for less than $20. If you'd like more information on what to buy or what to expect, you can reach Todd
At the end of the 8th grade as I cleared out my room to leave my prep-school for the summer break I found a discarded harmonica on my dorm floor. My mother reached sainthood in my eyes that day as I never stopped playing it on the long drive home. I’ve been playing harps ever since. Over the years my collection has grown to pretty much every key made for harmonicas.
I’ve been attuned to music all my life playing multiple instruments, and while I enjoy playing guitar, bouzouki, and mandolin the harmonica has been my signature instrument that has led to recording not only on my own albums, but on fellow artist recordings as well.
TUITION
TRAVELER PACKAGE
$1,450.00
Includes:
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All Meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners + snacks)
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No Accommodations
ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE
$1,750.00
Includes:
-
All Meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners + snacks)
-
Accommodations
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Private room + bath add $200
A deposit of $800 dollars due once your application has been accepted.
Your remaining balance due no later than September 3rd, 2022.
All but $100 dollars refundable up to September 3rd, 2022
TESTIMONALS
CLEMENTINE VOLKER
"Wyatt took my song Lost Child and stripped it to the core by asking me critical questions. It was within 20 minutes he sculpted my lines and pointed out where the real message was hidden."
WARREN WILLIAMS
"One of the best experiences I’ve had since picking up the guitar was at the Song Travelers Retreat!! Learning to write a better song and making new friends that have the same interest as me has been life-changing. I never thought an old rodeo bronc rider like me would learn to write songs as I have from this retreat. After 20 years of rodeo riding (and I’m still shoeing horses at 71), I now get to sing some of my own songs at gigs on the weekends instead of all covers and having a blast doing it! Thanks, Song Travelers Retreat for an awesome experience!"
CANDY FERNAUX
As a songwriter, I had never collaborated with other artists until I attended a songwriting retreat where Wyatt was an instructor. I was nervous, didn’t know a soul, and was not very confident in my writing or guitar playing skills. I walked into the retreat and the first thing I found myself doing was making guacamole with Wyatt! Eventually, I asked Wyatt to produce my first album and now I have a number of songs at country radio and a brand new cd just recorded coming out soon. If you ever thought you might like to write a song then don’t miss this opportunity
GALLERY OF PAST RETREATS
