Music in the Mountains
Exclusive and Intimate Songwriting Retreats
Starting in 2026 Chris and Jan Harris are excited to be hosting exclusive songwriter retreats in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. For each retreat, they'll pair 5 participants with a special guest songwriter/artist for 4 days of writing sessions and music workshops in an intimate small group setting. Guest artists come from their cultivated list of treasured friends who just happen to be professional Grammy and Songwriter Hall of Fame winning songwriters. Chris and Jan are thrilled to facilitate the rich and life-changing experience this will be for all attendees. The retreats will take place in the beautiful home at South River Farm in Montrose, CO. In addition to the sweeping landscape and elegant accommodations, this 4 day retreat will be topped off by amazing food at every meal and inspiring conversation with every interaction.
MISSION and VISION
Nashville on the Western Slope's mission is to provide an intimate space where songwriters and artists can indulge in their passion for songwriting and performance. Here attendees will find the perfect backdrop to engage with fellow musicians, collaborate and learn from seasoned professionals, and be ignited and empowered to dive as deep and fly as high as you want to go!
Nashville on the Western Slope's mission is to provide an intimate space where songwriters and artists can indulge in their passion for songwriting and performance. Here attendees will find the perfect backdrop to engage with fellow musicians, collaborate and learn from seasoned professionals, and be ignited and empowered to dive as deep and fly as high as you want to go!
Experienced Coaching From Industry Leaders
As your hosts, CHRIS AND JAN HARRIS bring to these retreats almost 50 years in the Nashville Music Business. From TV production to album production, from FM radio disc jockeying to writing, performing, and producing radio and TV commercials, and from singing backup vocals on countless recordings to traveling the world singing for artists like Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, they have been behind-the- scenes of the music business in Nashville (and beyond) for decades. Chris, also, has had the opportunity to write, sing, and produce hundreds of songs for Grammy Award winning artists including Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, Glen Campbell, Kristin Chenoweth, Aaron Neville, Loretta Lynn, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Michael Martin Murphey, Michael W Smith and many more. Chris has also served on the Grammy Review Committee and the Board of Governors at The Recording Academy for over 40 years.
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NASHVILLE ON THE WESTERN SLOPE
SONGWRITER RETREAT
featuring MARK HEIMERMANN
FEB 1-4, 2026
MARK HEIMERMANN
Mark Heimermann is a multi-Grammy and Dove award winning record producer and songwriter with over 40 years experience in the music industry.
Mark is recognized for his songwriting and production work with some of Christian music’s most celebrated gold and platinum artists, including DC Talk, Michael W. Smith, Jaci Velasquez, Stacie Orrico, and Anointed, just to name a few.
Industry accolades include ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year and GMA’s Song of the Year for DC Talk’s acclaimed “Jesus Freak.” Mark’s production on DC Talk’s “Free at Last,” “Jesus Freak,” and “Solo” records also earned him prestigious Grammy awards.
Mark spent some of his early career as a touring musician with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith and later rose to acclaimed success as a record producer, songwriter, and "first-call" studio singer. Over the years he has lent his voice and keyboard talents across multiple genres for major artists such as Garth Brooks, Owl City, Amy Grant, DC Talk, Michael W Smith, Reba McEntire, Steven Curtis Chapman, Megadeth, and Kenny Rogers.
RETREAT: February 1-4, 2026
ACCOMMODATIONS AT SOUTH RIVER FARM
As a retreat attendee, you'll arrive Saturday Jan 31st at South River Farm in Montrose, CO just in time for dinner. After hanging in the evening with our close-knit group, you'll rest well in comfortable and beautiful accommodations. Homemade breakfast will be served in the morning, and afterward, a short drive to Ridgway, CO for lunch and to kick off the retreat with a Worship Forum in the afternoon. Following the Forum, we'll all head back to the Farm for dinner and a relaxing evening with great conversation. You'll dive in on Monday and Tuesday for full days of instruction, discussion and writing with Mark, Chris and fellow participants. All meals at the Farm will be provided by our personal chef and host, Jan. On Wednesday morning, after breakfast, we'll be off to see some of the beautiful surroundings in the rugged, but heated Polaris Expeditions. After lunch we'll drive in to Ridgway to meet the Grammy Man and then bring the 4-day retreat to an inspiring and fitting close on Wednesday night with a concert by Mark Heimermann in beautiful Ouray, CO. We'll send you off Thursday with another one of Jan's hearty, homemade breakfasts and a big Nashville hug!
COST $2000
*Attendees are responsible for your transportation to and from Colorado.
Airport is located in Montrose, CO (MTJ-Montrose Regional). We'll shuttle you to and from the Farm and to the different venues.
If you’re interested in this unique experience, apply now!
ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE ASKED TO SUBMIT A SONG
Thank you!
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COMING!
Guitar Forum with
TOM HEMBY
Tom Hemby is a Grammy Award-winning and nominated Instrumental Recording Musician, Producer, & Composer. He’s also a four-time Dove Award-winner as well. He moved to Nashville in 1978 from his hometown of Puxico, Missouri to pursue a career in music. Through the years he became a very active session and touring sideman guitarist, as well as a producer, arranger, and composer.
Some of Tom’s recording & live performances include: Elvis Presley, Jessica Simpson, George Strait, Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Peter Cetera, Kenny Loggins, Barry Manilow, Fatih Hill, Wynonna Judd, Brian McKinight, Donna Summer, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Steve Winwood, Christopher Cross, Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, Christopher Cross, Cliff Richard, Glen Campbell, Bill Champlin, Charlie Daniels, Richard Marx, Yolanda Adams, Andy Williams, B J Thomas, Phil Keaggy, Ricky Skaggs, Lisa Marie Presley, Bill Gaither, Garth Brooks, Paul Overstreet, Steven Curtis Chapman, Dobie Gray, Chaka Kahn, Marc Cohen, Danny Gokey, Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, Niki Costa, Keb Mo, The Judds, Deana Carter, Trisha Yearwood, Billy Walker, Jackie Velasquez, Martina McBride, Lynn Anderson, Tanya Tucker, Kathy Lee Gifford, Tony Orlando, Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Rogers, and many more.
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PREVIOUS GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SONGWRITERS/
PRODUCERS/ENGINEER INSTRUCTORS
Keith Compton
Mark Heimermann-Grammy and Dove Award winner at Chimney Rock
John Billings-The Grammy Man
Songwriting session with Busbee-Grammy Award winner
Winter in Ouray County CO
Hike in the Mountains
Songwriter attendees holding a piece of grammium at the Grammy Man's shop
House Concert with Busbee
Set up for the house concert
Grammy Award winning Gordon Kennedy w/ John Billings
Autumn in the San Juans
Participants with Jan, Chris, and Mark Heimermann
A walk in Ridgway
Jesus Freak Grammy Award
Touring the Grammy shop with John Billings-The Grammy Man
Chris and Jan in the studio
Turret Ridge in Ridgway, CO
Sneffels mountain range in Ridgway, CO
Chris and Jan in concert
Gathering in Ridgway
Sitting on the summit of Courthouse mountain
Jordon Carls at Engineer Retreat with Grammy nominee, Keith Compton
The Grammy Man sharing his craft knowledge
John Billings demonstrating the making of the Grammy
Hiking Mount Sneffels
Autumn drive in Ouray County CO
Jeep trip
Jan and Busbee
John Billings and participant
Keith Compton in the studio with Jan
Jan, Phil Madeira, and Retta Yarborough
Retreat participants
Chris and Jan at the Grammy shop
John Billings with Busbee
The Grammy Team with Gordon Kennedy
Chris and Jan hiking
John Billings and Mark Heimermann
Winter on the Western Slope
A department of Artists for Community Transformation Intl
www.ArtistsforCommunity.org
www.ArtistsforCommunity.org
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Artists for Community Transformation Intl, Inc. only collects information pertinent to the contributions made by individuals. The information collected is used solely for our in-house accounting and communication procedures between the donor and our office as well as the donor and the department or project they support financially.
No information is sold or given to a third party.
All donors are added by default to our organization mailing list. Periodically, news, highlights, and event opportunities are communicated to our constituency. The donor may choose to Opt-Out at any time.