9th Annual REO Songwriter's Retreat

July 13-18, 2008



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

What makes the REO Retreat different from any other songwriting camp?

Start with an incredible setting right on the edge of a beautiful jade-green river with rushing rapids, canyon backdrop and surrounded by unlimited mountains and forest.

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 attendees; private critique session with your choice of instructor; valuable co-writing opportunities; and last but now least, the chance to particpate in whitewater rafting (intense) or scenic float rafting (relaxing) on the Nahatlatch and Fraser Rivers.

Join participants from around the world for an amazing week of songwriting and comaraderie.

Instructors


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 seven Songwriters Retreats at REO since 1996. Pat teaches across the country and is involved with TAXI, NSAI, SAC and many other songwriting associations.


Select Image to viewSteve Seskin
 
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

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

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.


2008 Retreat Highlights

  • One-on-one sessions!
  • Free whitewater rafting and scenic float trip adventure!
  • More Canadian Entertainment!
  • Performance Master Class with Bonnie Hayes
  • Songwriting Master Classes with Pat, Steve & Jon
  • Small group lyric and melody sessions
  • Inspirational Setting
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.

Prices per person for each lodging option through May 1, 2008, are as follows (All-inclusive):
  • Camping in own tent/RV $850
  • Large Cabin tent (3-4 sharing; twin beds) $975
  • Cabin tent (2 sharing, twin beds) $1,050 
  • Rivers Edge (2 sharing, queen bed) $1,095
  • Rivers Edge (Single, queen bed) $1,295
  • Spouse/Partner/Children Non-songwriter rate: Deduct $300 from applicable rate above (e.g. camping rate is $550).
Note: 5% GST and 3% land & water access fees added to all prices. Prices in CDN dollars.  Call for non-songwriter spouse/partner details.  Prices quoted are for early registration.  A $200 non-refundable deposit will secure your seat.  Pre and post-retreat packages are available.

New: FREE Whitewater Rafting Trip & Scenic Float trip adventure

You asked for more fun time and you got it! Book & pay for your retreat by May 1, 2008 and enjoy a FREE whitewater rafting trip on the Nahatlatch River and a scenic float adventure on the Fraser River (relaxing). These trips have a total retail value of $200. If you choose not to enjoy 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 13) at 3 PM. Our first session begins at 3:30 PM. If arriving from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), please schedule your flight to arrive by 11 AM.  REO is 3 hours drive from the airport.  Seattle Airport (SEA-TAC) is 4.5 hours south of REO so we recommend you fly in on Saturday or arrive no later than 9 AM on Sunday.

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 $225 US for the week so sharing a car is economical and gives you more options and flexibility.

Bryan Fogelman, Retreat Organizer

Select Image to view

Bryan Fogelman is a songwriter and the owner of Blue Crush Music. He is also a member of SAC, SOCAN, and NSAI. He has organized the retreat for the past eight years.

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


 How to Get to REO Rafting Resort
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is 3 hours drive from REO. Car-pooling will be arranged when possible. Seattle Airport (SEA-TAC) is 4.5 hours south of REO. Renting a vehicle for a week is also an option.

To Book The Songwriters Retreat:


Toll Free: 800.736.7238
Vancouver area: 604-461-7238
Fax: 604-461-4436

Email: info@reorafting.com or bryan@bluecrushmusic.com

Mailing Address:
845 Spence Way
Anmore, BC V3H 5H4
Canada

Jessica Meider, songwriter-performer and past attendee
 
Select Image to view "This is a convergence of the 3 things i love best; environment, songwriting and learning. The environment: pine trees, sandy ground, bright crisp blue skies, cool dewdrop grassy mornings accompanied by a climbing sun that peaks over the ridges of high mountains, a gazillion stars across an ebony night sky, jade-green river and white granite river rocks, campfires and songwriting circles, music discussions over home-cooked meals, always adorned with fresh fruits and veggies, a quiet that exudes peace, with the background of the rush river always a low rumble passing by. Also, no mosquitos!! Pat Pattison's lyric writing lessons are a wonderful wake up call to a songwriter - at any level. i love how much awareness he brings to the table, and his enthusiasm for poetry and lyrical excellence only cheers on my own enthusiasm for better songwriting. The 2nd day we took the Nahatlatch on a raft, an invigorating and challenging activity. The sun heating our skin, cruising on the cleanest, clearest, coolest water; navigating on the Nahatlatch was a fine symbol of the challenges we face in our own lives - how to take them head on at times, and if you fall in the river, how vital it is to have a team of caring friends around to work together to get you back on course! Even though it pains me to promote something i would rather keep to myself, this good thing is something for anyone who has a love for songwriting - there is no better environment for this to take place, and no better inspiration for motivating yourself to improve!"