REO Songwriting Retreat - July 12-17, 2009 (10th Annual) featuring CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Pam Tillis; Songwriter of the Year, Beth Nielsen Chapman; Songwriting Pros Pat Pattison and Jai Josefs

Click here to check out a video of our most recent songwriting retreat.
Email retreat organizer Bryan Fogelman

This was a wonderful week for me. I loved having four professionals instruction and input. The location is beautiful - great food & lodging, not to mention the scenery.

Martha Williams - Marietta, Georgia

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. Add rushing rapids, snow-capped mountains, wildflowers and wilderness. Then add four of the best songwriting mentors on the planet; a low instructor-to-student ratio to enhance the intimacy and one-on-one time with our instructors and other songwriters; a private critique session with your choice of instructor/mentor; daily social hour, open-mic and co-writing sessions. Finally, choose an optional whitewater rafting (exciting) or scenic float rafting (relaxing) adventure on the Nahatlatch or Fraser Rivers. Join songwriters from around the world for a truly amazing week! Only 16 seats remain, call now to reserve!

2009 Songwriting Instructors
	Beth Nielsen Chapman Beth Nielsen Chapman’s name resonates powerfully with music lovers. Stars such as Bonnie Raitt, Neil Diamond, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, Michael McDonald, Bette Midler, Anne Murray, Amy Grant, Keb Mo, Roberta Flack, Emmylou Harris, Patti Griffin, and Brenda Lee have recorded Beth Nielsen Chapman songs. “This Kiss,” as recorded by Faith Hill, won ASCAP’s 1999 “Song of the Year” award and was nominated for a Grammy. In addition to 9 highly-acclaimed albums and countless songwriting awards, Beth mentors fellow songwriters at a few select events. The REO Songwriters retreat will be a rare opportunity to experience and learn from one of the world's best songwriters. http://bethnielsenchapman.com
	Pam Tillis A CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Pam Tillis has written songs for some of the top singers in and beyond Nashville, including more than a few of her own hits. She knows what it's like to break the platinum barrier, to top the singles charts time and again, to bask in an ovation at her induction as a member of the Opry or play in the intimate hush of the Bluebird Café. She has bathed in the lights of Broadway, posed for glamour magazine spreads, sung ballads in Bay Area bistros, batted wicked one-liners back to Tom Bergeron on Hollywood Squares, even made cameos in movies. http://www.pamtillis.com
	Pat Pattison Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Pat developed the first Songwriting Major in the USA. He has published three best-selling books on songwriting including Writing Better Lyrics (Writers Digest, 1995). Pat has hosted nine Songwriters Retreats at REO since 1997. Pat teaches across the North America, Australia and New Zealand and is involved with TAXI, NSAI, SAC and many other songwriting associations. http://www.patpattison.com/home/

	Jai Josefs Jai Josefs is a nationally-renowned songwriting coach. His book Writing Music for Hit Songs is recognized as the definitive text on modern music writing and has been endorsed by numerous hit writers including Diane Warren. Jai has taught songwriting at UCLA and at seminars and conferences throughout North America. Many of Jai’s students have been signed to major label deals and have had top 20 Billboard hits. Jai is also a successful songwriter/producer placing more than 30 songs with artists like Jose Feliciano and companies such as MCA, RCA, Motown, and Disney. His songs have appeared on TV shows on every major network (CSI, Medium, Brothers and Sisters, Monk, Cold Case etc.) and in major motion pictures. www.jaijomusic.com

Retreat Contact: Bryan Fogelman, 800-736-7238, bryan@reorafting.com

Check out the pictures from previous songwriting retreats in our photo gallery.

Special Booking Bonus: FREE Rafting Trip!

2009 Retreat Highlights

Private one-on-one session with one instructor!
Vocal and Performance Master Classes
Evening open-mic and campfire entertainment!
Melody & Music Master Classes
Songwriting Master Classes
Co-writing sessions
Song Critiques and Peer Review
Inspirational setting on the edge of the river
Free whitewater rafting or scenic float trip!

Enjoy an intimate songwriting retreat in the beautiful Canadian outback. REO Rafting Adventure Resort is located in a wilderness canyon overlooking the beautiful jade-green Nahatlatch River and is surrounded by forests of pine, cedar, spruce and fir.

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.

All-inclusive Prices

Retreat fees are 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. US dollar prices based on current exchange rates (June 2009).
Please see advance payment discount and past attendee offer below.

Prices and Packages	$USD/$CDN
Camping in own Tent/RV -	$860 $ 945
Economy Cabin Tent (3-5 sharing; bring own linen)	$905 $ 995
Quad Cabin Tent with linen (3 or 4 sharing; twin beds)	$950 $1045
Cabin Tent with linen (2 sharing; twin beds)	$1040 $1145
Deluxe Cabin tent with linen (2 sharing; Queen bed, twin bed)	$1130 $1245
Deluxe Cabin tent with linen (Single occupancy Queen bed) SOLD OUT!	$1220 $1345
Spouse/Partner/Children Non-songwriter rate: Deduct $300 CDN from applicable rate above (e.g. camping rate=$645 CDN).

Past Attendee Offer: If you attended a previous REO song retreat, please call Bryan for your special offer.

Note: 5% GST and 3% land & water access fees added to all prices. Call for non-songwriter spouse/partner details and single occupancy rates. Prices quoted are for early registration. A $200 CDN non-refundable deposit per person will secure your seat. Prices subject to change without notice. Reserve early as this retreat has sold out in advance the past two years.

In order to secure your spot at the Songwriters Retreat, please call our office 1.800.736.7238. Our office is open Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm PST or email info@reorafting.com.

FREE Whitewater Rafting Trip or Scenic Float trip adventure

Book & pay for your retreat by May 15, 2009 and enjoy a FREE whitewater rafting trip on the Nahatlatch River or a relaxing, scenic float adventure on the Fraser River ($125 value). If you choose not to enjoy tone of these 4-hour adventures, you can use the time to co-write, relax, hang out at the beach or enjoy a hike on the nature trail.

Vancouver International Airport: Start times and Info

The retreat check-in is Sunday afternoon (July 12) at 5 PM. Our first session begins at 6:00 PM. If arriving from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), please schedule your flight to arrive no later than 1:30 PM. REO is 3.5 hours drive from the airport. Seattle Airport (SEA-TAC) is 4.5 to 5 hours south of REO and we recommend you fly in on Saturday or arrive no later than 11:30 AM on Sunday.

Check out time is 12 PM Noon on Friday, July 17. There will be a light snack prior to departure. Please call for pre and post-retreat package options.

Car-pooling will be arranged when possible to assist getting to and from Vancouver. Please be flexible if you require a ride. Weekly car rentals start at $250 US for the week so sharing a car is economical and gives you more options and flexibility.

Bryan Fogelman, Retreat Organizer

Bryan Fogelman is a songwriter and the owner of Blue Crush Music. Bryan is an active member of the Nashville Songwriters (NSAI), West Coast Songwriters, Songwriting Association of Canada (SAC), SOCAN, and the ASCAP Music Creators Expo (Hollywood). He has organized and hosted the retreat for the past ten years.

All retreat attendees receive the July/August issue of American Songwriter Magazine.

REO Songwriter Retreat Instructor Alumni

Steve Seskin (2006-2008) 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 for 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.
Bonnie Hayes (2008) Bonnie Hayes, 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.
Jon Vezner (2006-2007) Grammy award-winning songwriter Jon Vezner is a tunesmith of rare sensitivity and dry wit. His catalogue of recorded songs, topped by the poignant ‚ “Where You’ve Been,” reflects his straight-to-the heart sensibility and sensitivity. Vezner weaves the particulars of his own feelings with the lives of people he has known into universal themes that deeply touch listeners’ emotions. He has songs recorded by Reba McEntire and Ronnie Milsap, followed by Lorrie Morgan’s first single in 1987, ”Train Wreck of Emotion,” which he co-wrote with Alan Rhody.

Steve Seskin (2006-2008)

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 for 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.

Bonnie Hayes (2008)

Bonnie Hayes, 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.

Jon Vezner (2006-2007)

Grammy award-winning songwriter Jon Vezner is a tunesmith of rare sensitivity and dry wit. His catalogue of recorded songs, topped by the poignant ‚ “Where You’ve Been,” reflects his straight-to-the heart sensibility and sensitivity. Vezner weaves the particulars of his own feelings with the lives of people he has known into universal themes that deeply touch listeners’ emotions. He has songs recorded by Reba McEntire and Ronnie Milsap, followed by Lorrie Morgan’s first single in 1987, ”Train Wreck of Emotion,” which he co-wrote with Alan Rhody.