In October 2004 I had the most amazing time on a ranch about an hour out of town. Mary Ann Kennedy was holding her first ever workshop called Women Writing at the Ranch on Coyote Creek Ranch, her 100-acre slice of Tennessee heaven, and I joined about 30 other songwriters for an incredibly inspiring weekend, hanging out with Mary Ann and her writing partners Pam Rose and Catt Gravitt.
These women are superstars of the Nashville songwriting world, and we got to hear them sing some of their most successful songs (including Martina McBride’s monster hit Safe in the Arms of Love) as well as participate in breakout sessions and one-on-one critiques of our own tunes. I had my session in the tack room with Pam Rose, which spoke to my inner cowgirl on so many levels. It was a thrill and a privilege to be there that weekend.
Mary Ann Kennedy evicting a barn-crasher.
The organic vegetarian catering was amazing, and the best part was getting to hang out with all the critters on the ranch, and having our class picture taken with one or two. A sweet little pug named Chi came right over and snuggled up to me just before the shot was taken. Lucky me!
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