Nashville calls itself “Music City” for a reason. With close to 200 music venues, over 180 recording studios, and 5,000 working musicians, it’s impossible to walk around downtown and not hear live music filling the air. This February, our guests will find inspiration for their own songwriting in 5 days and 4 nights of the best of Nashville’s past and present.
Our Nashville Songwriter Getaway includes:
- Songwriting workshops and original song feedback.
- One-on-one song feedback from Murray Foster.
- A music-filled bus tour of some of the city’s highlights led by a Nashville songwriter – including a visit to Music Row.
- Visits to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium, the longtime home of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Visits to some Nashville Honky Tonks (including Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge) and legendary original music venues including The Listening Room and The Station Inn where we’ll see some of Nashville’s hottest up-and-coming songwriters.
- Brunch at Puckett’s Grocery and the historic Woolworth’s on 5th, site of the lunch counter sit-ins for civil rights in the 1960s.
- Dinners at some of Broadway’s most popular spots like ACME Feed & Seed. The chance to sample Hattie’s B’s famous hot chicken – plus a few home-cooked meals in our Getaway House.
- Transportation by Uber from The Capitol Hotel to our Getaway House each morning (and back in the evening if we are more than a few blocks from the hotel).
- Plenty of free time to write songs and explore the local culture.
- a pass to visit one additional museum of your choice (options include: Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, George Jones Museum, Opryland, Musicians Hall of Fame, Madame Tussauds, and more!).
Our Getaway House is located one mile from the Capitol Hotel and is generally less than a $10 Uber Ride from other hotels in the area including those in Midtown and East Nashville. We have limited space for guests to reserve a room in our Getaway House on a first-come, first-served basis (see below for details). A continental breakfast will be available each morning. With the exception of one lunch on your own, all meals will be provided. Toronto Songwriting School does not provide alcohol, but you are welcome to consume it! Please feel free to BYOB to the Getaway House and to enjoy the many delights of Nashville’s hopping bar scene.
Nashville Songwriter Getaway House Location:
Nashville Getaway House, 1006 Warren Street, Nashville, TN 37208
The majority of our songwriting workshops will take place at our Getaway House. However, we will also spend plenty of time exploring the city.
Nashville Songwriter Getaway Pricing
- Songwriter Registration: $900
- Non-Songwriting Partner: $375
- Add a Room in the Getaway House (space is limited): $810 – SOLD OUT
*Installment plan available
Fees do not include airfare, off-site lodging, alcohol, or personal expenses.
Register for The Getaway:
You have the option to make your payment in full at the time of registration. We are also offering the option of paying in three equal monthly installments. The installment option will only be available until November 15th – Extended to November 17th!
Sold Out.
Nashville Getaway Lodging Options
Getaway House Room – SOLD OUT:
We have a limited number of rooms available in our Getaway House for guests. Each room has either a queen or king bed. Linens and towels will be provided. Free wifi is available in the house. A continental breakfast will be provided in the house each morning.
Preferred Hotel Option:
Capitol Hotel, 711 Union Street, Nashville, TN 37219
We’ve arranged for a discounted hotel rate of US$175 plus taxes at the nearby Capitol Hotel for those who wish who stay in a hotel. This rate is available until January 5th or until rooms sell out. To reserve a room, please call 615-242-4311 and mention Toronto Songwriting School.
Capitol Hotel offers a free continental breakfast, a fitness room, and free wifi. We will also be providing a morning pick up from the Capitol Hotel to the Getaway House. But if you love to walk, it’s just a one mile stroll through the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park to get to us.
Other Hotel Options:
There are many hotels throughout Nashville. You can find some budget-friendly hotels near Vanderbilt University or just across the Cumberland River near Nissan Stadium. Many of these hotels offer a shuttle to the downtown area or you can take an Uber for less than $10. Some to consider:
- Holiday Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt
- Comfort Inn Nashville Downtown-Vanderbilt
- Clarion Hotel Nashville Downtown-Stadium
- Quality Inn Nashville Downtown-Stadium
AirBnB
Nashville also has many options for Airbnb rentals. You can rent a room in someone’s home or apartment or rent a full apartment/house for yourself. Many of our guests have used this option for past getaways with positive results. We encourage you read the reviews and host policies if you select this option. If you are new to Airbnb, use our Referral Link to receive a credit toward your first reservation.
Itinerary
9:45am – Leave for Breakfast
10:15am – Puckett’s Breakfast
Bonus Recording Option:
The legendary Ryman Auditorium offers a deal where you can record in their professional studio for an additional fee of $30-35 depending on the song you choose. They have a sound engineer there and they offer 15 minute recording spots. Choose from one of 19 classic country songs or record an original CD single. If you would like to record an original, you’ll need to bring a lyric sheet and an acoustic instrument. (A loaner guitar is available in the studio. No keyboards allowed.) Murray would be happy to sing/play on your song, but be aware that Ryman will charge an extra $5. If you would like to do this, we will be happy to arrange for your session to take place during our Saturday visit. Read more about it here: https://www.ryman.com/tours/makearecord/
FAQs
What time does the getaway start and end?
Guests are welcome to check in to the Getaway House at noon on Wednesday, February 6th. Our first official Getaway activity will be a 3pm Orientation. We’ll have dinner at 6pm.
Check-out will be at 10:30am on Sunday, February 10th.
Are instruments provided?
We do not typically provide instruments. However, we are currently working to arrange for a few guitars and a keyboard to be available in the house. If this is not possible, we will help you arrange rentals. You can of course bring your own instrument. Please verify all special baggage requirements with your airline.
I’m new to songwriting. Is this right for me?
Yep! These songwriter trips are designed for all-levels from first-time songwriters to seasoned pros. We’ve even had people who don’t play an instrument. This is a supportive and welcoming group. You’ll be writing songs in no time!
What if my spouse/partner/non-songwriting bff wants to come?
Great! We have an option for that! This trip has a lot of activities for them to participate in and a lot of things for them to do during songwriting workshops. Just select the option to bring a non-songwriter guest when registering.
How do I get from the airport to downtown Nashville?
You have a few options! The least expensive option is to take the Route 18 bus which is just US$1.70 payable on the bus in cash. The Express bus takes just 20 mins to get downtown. The regular Route 18 takes up to 45 mins. The Music City Central #1 Stop is just 4 blocks from the Capitol Hotel. Click to see additional information on the route & schedule.
Uber and Lyft are also available in Nashville. There is a specified rideshare pickup area inside the parking garage. If you plan to use Uber or Lyft, be sure you set up an international data plan and download the app before you leave so it’s all set up and ready to go when you get to Nashville. If this is your first time using Uber, use code maryk381 to get a discount on your first ride. Lyft also offers discounts to new users. Visit their website to see current offers. No cash is needed for Uber or Lyft. All payments will be made through the app.
Taxis are also available with a flat rate of US$25 to Downtown.
What if I don’t want to go to one of the scheduled activities?
That’s absolutely fine! We’ll stay connected with you so you can rejoin at the next one. Please note that if you go off exploring on your own, we will not be able to provide transportation. That said, Nashville is a very walkable city with most sights within a mile of downtown. There are also a lot of transportation options including a free city bus loop, taxis, and Uber/Lyft.
Are we going to the Bluebird Cafe?
The Bluebird Cafe is one of several fabulous small venues that focus on original songwriting in Nashville. Unfortunately, the Bluebird can’t accommodate groups, so instead we’ll be going to the very popular Listening Room Cafe. Don’t worry, the same artists play both rooms, so we’ll be sure to see some great Nashville songwriters.
Can I bring my pet?
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate pets on our songwriter getaways.
Register:
You have the option to make your payment in full at the time of registration. We are also offering the option of paying in three monthly installments. The installment option will only be available until November 15th.
Cancellation Policy
Participants who cancel one month before the getaway will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee.
If a participants cancels after January 5, 2019, the participant will receive a 50% refund.