Appalachian Songwriters Retreat

A Weekend Retreat for Appalachian Songwriters!

Hone your craft as a songwriter along the banks of Troublesome Creek at the 2nd Annual Appalachian Songwriters Retreat, held at the historic campus of Hindman Settlement School..

Appalachian Songwriters retreat features songwriting workshops, concerts, open mics, and educational sessions on navigating the music business as an independent songwriter as well as a workshop on how to record and mix your own original songs. You’ll have the opportunity record one of your originals in a studio setting as well a book a free photography session and take home a high-quality headshot. We’ll have plenty of time for jamming with fellow songwriters around the campfire in the evenings as well as a Saturday night Square Dance and Cake Walk!
Learn from legendary Appalachian and Kentucky songwriters like Nicholas Jamerson, Carla Gover, Matthew Sidney Parsons, Anna Kline, A.p. Harbor, and Jeri Katherine Howell.
Scholarships available! Click here for the link for the scholarship application
Our Saturday night Cake Walk will be a fundraiser for our scholarship fund! Bring a cake, dessert, or sweet treat (homemade or store bought) if you’d like to contribute to building our scholarship fund for future retreats!

SAVE THE DATE!

AUGUST 14-16, 2026

THE DETAILS

LOCATION
Sessions take place at Hindman Settlement School in Hindman, KY
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Friday August 14
10:00am Arrive & Check-In & Jam Session
12:00pm Lunch & Orientation
1:00-2:30pm Concurrent Songwriting Workshops (Anna Kline, Carla Gover)
3:00-4:00pm General Session with A.p Harbor
4:00-5:00pm Break
5:00pm Supper
6:00pm Open Mic & Staff Concert
Saturday August 15
8:00am Morning Song Circle
9:00am Breakfast
10:00-11:30 Concurrent Songwriting Workshops (Jeri Howell, Matthew Sidney Parsons
12:00pm Lunch
1:00-2:00pm General Session with Carla Gover
2:30-4:00 Concurrent Songwriting Workshops (Nick Jamerson, Sarah Kate Morgan)
4:00-5:00pm Break
5:00pm Supper
7:00pm Square Dance & Cake Walk
*Bring a cake, dessert. or sweet treat if you’d like to contribute to building our scholarship fund!
Sunday August 16
8:00am Gospel Sing & Song Circle
9:00am Breakfast
10:00-11:00 General Session #3 with Dale Ann Bradley
11:00-12:00 Break
12:00pm Lunch
1:00-5:oopm Optional Sessions (Recording, Photography Headshots, Songwriting Coaching)

REGISTRATION

REGISTER TODAY!
Price $150
Need-based scholarships available! Fill out the scholarship request form here.

We are proud to partner with Culture of Recovery and offer guaranteed scholarships to all Culture of Recovery clients, Hickory Hill Recovery Center clients, and Troublesome Creek Instrument company employees.