Workshop Information
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Lebanon, TN
The Little House Workshop offers very limited seating for a two- day workshop/co-writing session. We pair two students with one pro writer for a co-write (co-writing is the term used in our industry referring to songs written by two or more people). At the end of the two days, it is our hope that you will walk away holding songs co-written with one of the pro- writers and ready for commercial exposure. Although there is no guarantee that a song will be completed on your first visit, it will not be for lack of trying. Learning through example and personal involvement with a pro-writer is like pole-vaulting to the next stage in songwriting. The collaborations are fun and a true taste of what real Nashville co-writing is all about.
The enrollment fee for the two-day songwriting workshop is $850 per student. As a token of appreciation, the instructors will host a complimentary picking party and songwriting round, with the option to invite one guest for the evening event. Throughout the workshop, we’ll provide snacks, coffee, water, and tea to keep you refreshed.
The writing sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. on Day 1. On Day 2, we start back at 10:00 a.m. and write until around 4:00 p.m. Afterward, we’ll gather to share and play the songs we've created, wrapping up by 5:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., the instructors will host their complimentary dinner, followed by a songwriter’s round and picking party, where you can invite a guest to join. We’ll also have some special surprise guests to add to the fun of the evening!
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One of the services we provide during the two day workshop is a study/critique of one of your creations. This it totally voluntary, so if you would be interested in this service we ask that you come with a composition you have previously written and 3 copies of the lyric so we can follow along and make notes. You are welcome to play a recording or sing the song live. Make sure it’s a song you feel might have room for improvement, not one that you think you’ve completed and are happy with. Critiques are helpful in discovering where your strengths and weaknesses are in your song and are meant to be a positive experience. Though it’s not mandatory, it’s always appreciated if you bring song ideas for the co-writing sessions. If you have some partial songs written, don’t be afraid to bring those, they will help boost the chance to get more songs written and move things right along.
The Nashville International Airport is about 35 minutes away from the Wee Farm. We will NOT provide transportation so if you choose to fly you will need to also make arrangements for transport to Lebanon, TN. Uber & Lyft are great options but returning to BNA from Lebanon may prove difficult.
There is plenty of lodging to choose from. They are located off of I-40, exit #236 and #238 in Lebanon, Tennessee. I have not stayed at any of these locations so these are not my recommendations only some choices for you to check out.
Lodging located near the Little House Workshops
La Quinta Inn and Suites 615-470-1001
Lebanon, TN
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Econo Lodge
615-444-1001
Lebanon, TN
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Days Inn
615-449-5781
Lebanon, TN
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites
(615) 994-3225
Lebanon, TN
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Fairfield Inn & Suites
(615) 470-2224
Lebanon, TN
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My Place Hotel
(615) 784-4760
Lebanon, TN
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Comfort Suites
615-443-0027
Lebanon, TN
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Ramada Inn
615-444-5400
Lebanon, TN
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Hampton Inn & Suites
615-444-3445
Lebanon, TN
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Sleep Inn & Suites
(615) 449-7005
Lebanon, TN
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Quality Inn
(615) 444-7020
Lebanon, TN
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Ramada by Wyndham
(615) 444-7400
Lebanon, TN
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Cedar Grove Inn B&B
(855)332-2442
Lebanon, TN
These are all located near restaurants and fast foods.
This year we have an additional opportunity for unique lodging located right down the street from the Little House Workshops! Rebekah Speer is offering to rent her two guest rooms, each with a private bathroom and coffee in the mornings for $85.00 per night. They go fast so if you are interested in this form of lodging email Rebekah Speer (rebekahlong@mac.com) or text/call 615-972-4127 so that she can reserve a room for you.
The Complimentary Evening Menu items will be some farm cooking!
Rick and I enjoy preparing food and we tend to make more than plenty so be hungry! Erin Salley (wife of Jerry Salley) also has a gifted hand in the kitchen and contributes to the feasting. If you have severe dietary restrictions or food allergies, we are unable to accommodate them and recommend bringing your own meal.There will also be snacks available during the writing sessions as writing can be hard work and you need to keep your strength up!
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One of the things we love the most about our workshops is creating an opportunity for our attendees to socialize, meet other like-minded, creative writers and artists, and learn to connect with industry folks who they might want to pitch songs to in the future. We can’t always guarantee who will get to join us, but we really try to stock the night with some industry folks and fun!
Here is the way the time rolls at the Little House...
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Little House Workshop Schedule
DOORS DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 9:30 AM!!!
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Day 1
Lunch will be at the discretion of each class (eat when you’re hungry)
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9:30-10:00 am coffee time where we meet and greet.
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10:00-12:00 Jerry Salley, Rick Stanley and Donna Ulisse talk about writing songs, and we will also try to critique some songs during these hours.
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12:00-5:00 We will break into our first group of 2 attendees and a pro-writer and start our first songwriting session.
Day 2
9:30-10:00 am Coffee and recap on previous day
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10:00-5:00 We will switch groups up and start writing through our next
songwriting session, giving everyone attending a chance to write with each pro writer.
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5:00-6:00 Social hour while we rush around getting your complimentary dinner ready, lol.
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6:00-7:00 Piggin’ out time…we will get to eat and laugh and talk.
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7:00-9:00 Pickin’ and grinning time!
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And then comes the sad farewells.
With limited seats offered it will be first come, first served. We are using the wonderful quote, “When they’re gone, they’re gone!” so reserve your seat early to make sure you get the Workshop you desire.
Strawberry Point, Iowa
The Songwriters Workshop is an extension of the Strawberry Jam Camp held July 23rd-25th, 2025, the week before the Backbone Bluegrass Festival. Dabble at writing song lyrics? Interested in pursuing songwriting as something more than a hobby? Then you need to attend this 3-day songwriter's workshop. To learn more about this workshop and to register to attend, please visit the Strawberry Jam Camp website.
Columbia, South Carolina
Hosted by the South Carolina Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association, join us August 28th-30th, 2026 for a 3-day large-group songwriting experience. The fun will take place at the famous Bills Pickin' Parlor. For more information and to register for the event, please visit the SCBTMA website.
Gatlinburg, TN
The Little House Songwriting Workshop is hitting the road to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, February 27 – March 1, 2026! This unique experience will be located at The Historic Gatlinburg Inn, which, over the years, has been a mecca of inspiration for songwriters, including Felice and Boudleaux Bryant who wrote “Rocky Top” in room #388!
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This three-day workshop is geared to songwriters of all experience levels – from the newbie just learning the process of songwriting to the veterans who are still working to improve their skills. The event will focus on key factors in songwriting; tricks to finding inspiration and how to be your own best critic/editor. Each day will start with an exercise to help get your imagination flowing. These assignments also help with finding an inspiring idea to write about. We will explore how the process of constructing a song works and how to be able to look more critically at your composition once it’s complete.
One of the services we provide during the workshop is a study/critique of one of your creations. This is totally voluntary, so if you would be interested in this service, we ask that you come with a composition you have previously written and 3 copies of the lyric so we can follow along and make notes. You are welcome to play a recording or sing the song live. Make sure it’s a song you feel might have room for improvement, not one that you think you’ve completed and are happy with. Critiques are helpful in discovering where your strengths and weaknesses are in your song and are meant to be a positive experience.
To top it all off, you will be paired in groups of three to actually co-write a song! Though it’s not mandatory, it is recommended that you bring song ideas to work on during the co-writing session. If you have any partially written songs, please bring those along as well, as they will help boost the chance of getting more songs written. With the help of Jerry, Donna, and Rick to help guide each group along the (sometimes) rocky road of songwriting, you are sure to grow as a writer/co-writer!
How to enroll and make hotel reservations:
The enrollment fee for this three-day event is $299.00.
Seating is limited to 24 people, so click the "Register Here" button below to reserve your seat!
For hotel reservations, please call The Historic Gatlinburg Inn at 865-436-5133 and request a room for the Little House Songwriting Workshop’s reduced rate of $109.00 (+tax) per night. You must call the hotel (do not make reservations online) to receive this reduced rate. Free breakfast is included every morning with your stay!
The Little House Songwriting Workshop will be donating a portion of each enrollment fee to support the Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival!
For more information, or to join the wait list, please email info@littlehousesongwritingworkshop.com
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Schedule (subject to change):
Friday, February 27th
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Jerry, Donna and Rick will discuss all aspects of songwriting and answer songwriting questions.
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Song critiques and discussion
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Dinner on your own
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Concert featuring Jerry, Donna and Rick
Saturday, February 28th
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Recap on previous day, finish song critiques
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Co-writing sessions begin
Sunday, March 1st
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Gospel Round with Jerry, Donna & Rick
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Finish songs
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Share songs with group
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