Next Session: Fall 2024
WHAT? - Songs From The Hollow is the brain child of entertainment industry couple Leslie Fram and Lanny West in an effort to give songwriters of all levels the opportunity to work one on one in a stress free environment with internationally renowned and accomplished songwriters to grow and excel in their craft. This amazing two and a half day retreat is designed to help songwriters of all levels grow technically, experientially and spiritually by creating an environment of networking, teaching, mentoring, collaboration, performance and mindful creation.
WHERE? - The retreat takes place on the Cumberland Plateau on 40 acres of North Tennessee’s most beautiful countryside just 45 minutes north of Nashville and gives the participants the opportunity to escape the high pace energy of the city and decompress in the midst of God’s amazing creation…… HUMBLE HOLLOW FARM!
WHEN? - Fall of 2024….. Dates To Be Announced Soon (Limited Space Available)
WHO? - Hosted by well known Nashville singer/songwriter Eric Dodd with special guests Jeff Cohen, award winning Songwriter/Producer/Publisher whose songs have appeared on over 20 million albums sold, over 100 placements in TV/Film and over 10 million video games, and Leslie Fram, Senior VP Music & Talent CMT. See full Bio information below.
WHAT’S THE SCOOP? - Only 9 writer slots are available. Why? This gives our guest song writer and mentor team a better opportunity for one on one teaching, collaboration, instruction and guidance.
The HIGHLIGHTS - Included in this experiential retreat, here are some of the highlights you can expect:
Career development/enhancement and Q&A sessions with local, national and international industry experts and gate keepers in the fields that affect the career of a singer/songwriter.
All meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
On site housing and camping
Farm Activities, Sing-A-Longs, Camp Fire & S’mores, Games, Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Golfing, Hammock Time, Reading, Equine Therapy, Disc Golf, Skeet Shooting, Archery and more.
Networking and Fellowship
Unique, one of a kind writing and creation sessions.
Mentoring Sessions with top tier writers and industry professionals
Entertainment and Song Performances
Health and Wellness, Organic Meals
COST? - $850.00 per Person (Cash, Check or Credit Card): Includes all food, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and activities. Transportation and * off property Housing not included. How Do I Sign Up? - Just click the Register Now button.
If you have any further questions please contact Eric Dodd @ (706) 318-0937 or Lanny West @ (615) 913-1455
SPECIAL GUEST MENTORS
Jeff Cohen
JEFF COHEN is a 6 Time BMI Award winning, Grammy and CMT Award Nominated Songwriter/Producer/Publisher based in Nashville whose songs have appeared on over 20 million albums sold, over 100 placements in TV/Film and over 10 million video games.
Jeff’s songs have been recorded by Evan and Jaron (Hit single/BMI award - Crazy For This Girl), Big and Rich (Hit single/BMI award - Holy Water), The Band Perry (Hit single/BMI Award - Postcard From Paris),, The Shires (Hit Singles - I See Stars, 1000 Hallelujahs, Daddy’s Little Girl. Echo ), Laura Bell Bundy (Hit single - Giddy On Up - also #1 Video CMT and GAC), The Worry Dolls - Endless Road (2018 UK Americana Award Song of The Year Nomination), Jake Bugg - (Single - Downtown), Richie MacDonald of Lone Star (Hit single - I Turn To You), Ilse DeLange (Hit Single - Beautiful Distraction), Waylon (Hit Single - Hey), Nell Bryden (Hit Singles “Amy” and “These Changes”), Nikhil D’Souza (Hit Singles - “Beautiful Mind” and “Silver and Gold”), Sugarland, Josh Groban, Teitur, Mandy Moore, Macy Gray, Spin Doctors, Nick Lachey, Tina Dico, Doc Walker, Mickey Guyton, Hush, Luz Casal, Sandi Patty, Marc Broussard, Kristian Bush, Jasmine Murray, Cho Yong- Pil, and many more.
Jeff's songs have been featured in TV shows such as Paw Patrol (Theme/3 BMI Awards), Jack and Jill (Theme), I Married A Princess (Theme), The Exes (Theme), Roll The Tape (Theme) , Out Of Pocket (Theme), Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, Monarch, Party of Five, The Simpson’s, American Idol,, Saturday Night Live, Catfish, Sonny With A Chance, The Fame Game and many more.
Jeff’s songs have been featured in movies such as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Stuart Little 2, Aquamarine, Princess Diaries, Grandma’s Boy, Dakota and have also been featured in Major Commercials such as the Samsung Holiday International TV spot for Galaxy AirBuds (2021), Dignity Healthcare (2022), Timex Watches (2018) and more.
Among his constant co-writers are Jamie Hartman, Sacha Skabek, Kara DioGuardi, Liz Rose, Jeff Trott, Kristian Bush, James T Slater and many more.
Jeff is a Board Member of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) and Board Member of Inspired Nation Foundation founded by Kara DioGuardi.
He is also founder and songwriter of the critically acclaimed band Pancho’s Lament
In a previous life he was a music executive at BMI working with such talent as Jeff Buckley, Lisa Loeb, Joan Osborne, Spin Doctors, Ben Folds, Wilco, Ani Di Franco and many more.
Leslie Fram
LESLIE FRAM serves as Senior Vice President of Music Strategy and Talent for CMT, overseeing all music integration within the CMT brand, including original programs, CMT.com and music video airplay across all screens.
Since joining CMT in 2011, Fram has negotiated key partnerships with major and indie label acts for world premieres and exclusive digital content. She champions new avenues to showcase rising acts and 4 years ago launched the first female-powered initiative for the network, CMT’s “Next Women of Country” to give voice to emerging female artists that now includes a tour and digital performance component. Most recently, Fram has initiated and oversees CMT Equal Play franchise to support underrepresented voices in country music that includes 50/50 representation male/female in all video hours to include equality, the Equal Play Award and the Equal Play Development Program for artist and industry. Last year, Fram & CMT launched Equal Access under the Equal Play franchise with mTheory This program was created to train, educate and develop artists and managers that are underrepresented in country music.
Respected for both her hit intuition and hard-driving passion for music, Fram was the first woman to receive the TJ Martell Award in recognition of outstanding performance in the music industry in 2000, and was presented with the NARAS-Atlanta Chapter Heroes Award for her outstanding contributions to music and the music community. In 2009, she was honored as a Lifetime Achievement Inductee in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, the recipient of the very first ‘Innovation In Music’ Awards held 3 years ago and recognized by the Nashville Business Journal’s ‘Women In Music’ 6 years in a row. Leslie currently serves on the Board of The Recording Academy/Nashville Chapter, The Grammy TV Committee, Save The Music, Save The Music Advisory Board and an alum of Leadership Music Class of 2014. Fram is an avid philanthropist and spokesperson, using her voice to support numerous non-profits and causes. Fram is co-founder of ‘Change the Conversation,’ a movement aimed at supporting and promoting female artists and Co-Founder/Board Member of Nashville Music Equality formed to create an anti-racism environment in the Nashville Music Community by providing conversation, education, mentorship and resources.
Originally from Lake Oconee, Georgia, ERIC DODD grew up chasing that perfect strike of a golf ball and a well crafted song to move people. In the end, lyrics would win over the links, and in 2016, Dodd gained national attention as a CMT Discovery Artist.
Before much notoriety, Dodd honed his craft playing over 100 tour dates a year throughout the southeast performing in clubs, at SEC college parties, and listening rooms where his likable personality, feel-good lyrics, musicianship, and energetic stage presence earned him a faithful following in a region with strong musical tastes and a deep pool of talent.
Since moving to Nashville in 2014, Dodd has opened for Sam Hunt, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Cole Swindell, Deana Carter, Corey Smith, Rodney Atkins and many more. His musical journey has him weaving seamlessly between Country, Rock, Pop and Americana, with themes that speak to the heart of a Friday night as well as a Sunday morning. As a songwriter, he can be sweetly nostalgic and equally boisterous.
His lovestruck song, “The Reason,” recently hit 5 million streams across digital streaming platforms and was included in multiple editorial and fan created playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Pandora and YouTube. The music video for the hit song, which features Dodd’s wife, Anna, reached number one on CMT’s “12-Pack Countdown” and Dodd was named a “Must-See Indie You Need to Know.” Wide Open Country called the song “heartfelt and anthemic.” More recently, his popular songs, “Right Where You Left It” and “Baecation” have become fan favorites. Eric’s feel good follow-up to the latter summer anthem, appropriately titled, “Baecation Part II,” was named “the best song of 2022” by nationally syndicated country radio personality and DJ, Bobby Bones.
Dodd is a romantic with a wild side and oftentimes is writing four songs per week. In addition to his own artist career, his songwriting prowess has led to success with his songs being recorded by popular artists such as Spencer Crandall, Colt Ford, Allie Colleen, Anslee Davidson, Kalie Shorr, Rodell Duff, and the Dutch country superstar, “Waylon." His songs have amassed over 20 million streams. Most recently, success came as “Love Child” by Kalie Shorr (co-written by Dodd) was placed by mobile network operator US Cellular as a part of their “Locally Grown, Locally Live” campaign.
