April 11-13, 2025
A weekend in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina teaching songwriting with intention.
The Ola Belle Reed Song Writer’s Retreat pays tribute to Ola Belle Reed, Ashe County, North Carolina’s National Heritage Fellowship Award and IBMA Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
North Carolina and nationally renowned songwriters on staff are excited to share their techniques in craft and art with you. Whether you are an experienced songwriter or about to write your first song, these retreats will help you add skills to your own magic, with detailed concepts, practice and instruction.
The retreat will include workshops/lectures, song swaps, jam sessions, critiques, instructor concert, student showcase and more. 2025 Retreat instructors: Susan Cattaneo, Cathy Fink, and Don Henry.
Cathy Fink – Artistic Director – GRAMMY Award Winner, Cathy has won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, International Songwriting Competition, Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest and has recorded 48 albums in her 48 year career, mostly with partner Marcy Marxer. Influenced by folks like Tom Paxton, Alice Gerrard, Pete Seeger and Ola Belle Reed, she writes what she wants in whatever style suits her from bluegrass to swing and from folk to rock. Her songs have been featured on NPR as commentaries and have helped propel the SHOUT AND SHINE diversity movement in the bluegrass world. She has been nominated for 12 consecutive GRAMMY Awards and her two GRAMMY’s say “Artist, Engineer, Producer”, but the title she likes best is “Social Music Conductor.” www.cathymarcy.com
With her powerful voice, captivating melodies and finely-crafted lyrics, Susan Cattaneo is one of Boston’s most respected singer-songwriters. Combining vivid storytelling with a modern songwriter’s spin, Susan’s music blends folk, rock and blues with hint of country. Susan won the CT Folk Festival and has been nominated for five Boston Music Awards including Singer Songwriter of the Year, Americana Artist of the Year and Folk Act of Year. She has been a finalist or winner in the country’s most prestigious songwriting and music contests including being a three-time Kerrville New Folk finalist. In her 20 plus years teaching Songwriting at Berklee College of Music, Susan has helped students work on over 15,000 songs in all musical genres and styles and mentored over 2,000 artists. www.susancattaneo.com
Grammy Award-winning songwriter Don Henry boasts an impressive repertoire with his songs recorded by music legends such as Ray Charles, Patti Page, and Conway Twitty, as well as contemporary country stars like Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. His stage presence is equally diverse, having shared platforms with the likes of Joey Ramone and Keith Urban. Notable among his works is the Grammy-winning country classic “Where’ve You Been,” performed by Kathy Mattea, which earned song of the year honors from ACM, CMA, and NSAI, marking the first time in country music history that a song received all four prestigious accolades in a single year. Henry’s songs, including the poignant tribute to Martin Luther King, “Beautiful Fool,” showcase a remarkable blend of wit and wisdom, solidifying his enduring impact on the music industry. https://donhenry.com/
Registration Details
The retreat will be held in person at the Ashe Civic Center and Ashe Arts Center.
REGISTRATION FEE:
$375 Adult
$150 Student
Tuition assistance and limited partial scholarships are available contact info@ashecountyarts.org for more information.
Tuition will include instruction and hospitality Friday-Sunday. It does not include accommodations or meals.
The retreat will be held in person at the Ashe Civic Center and Ashe Arts Center.
Ashe Civic Center: 962 Mount Jefferson Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694
Ashe Arts Center: 303 School Avenue, West Jefferson, NC 28694
