Meet our 2024 Ola Belle Reed Songwriters Retreat Instructors!
Cathy Fink – Artistic Director – GRAMMY Award Winner, Cathy has won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, International Songwriting Competition, Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest and has recorded 48 albums in her 48 year career, mostly with partner Marcy Marxer. Influenced by folks like Tom Paxton, Alice Gerrard, Pete Seeger and Ola Belle Reed, she writes what she wants in whatever style suits her from bluegrass to swing and from folk to rock. Her songs have been featured on NPR as commentaries and have helped propel the SHOUT AND SHINE diversity movement in the bluegrass world. She has been nominated for 12 consecutive GRAMMY Awards and her two GRAMMY’s say “Artist, Engineer, Producer”, but the title she likes best is “Social Music Conductor.” www.cathymarcy.com
Reggie Harris, a songwriter with over 35 years of influence in musical, educational, and historical realms, crafts music rooted in African American spirituals, folk, gospel, rock, and civil rights traditions. His compositions, reflecting a world-wise perspective and hopeful stance, explore life, love, and profound aspects of the human experience. Engaging as both a musician and educator, Harris leads inspirational educational exchanges and songwriting workshops at renowned music camps, emphasizing his commitment to lifelong learning. Affiliated with the John F. Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program for over two decades, Harris is a founding artist in the Changing Education Through the Arts initiative, showcasing his dedication to teaching and advocacy.
Grammy Award-winning songwriter Don Henry boasts an impressive repertoire with his songs recorded by music legends such as Ray Charles, Patti Page, and Conway Twitty, as well as contemporary country stars like Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. His stage presence is equally diverse, having shared platforms with the likes of Joey Ramone and Keith Urban. Notable among his works is the Grammy-winning country classic “Where’ve You Been,” performed by Kathy Mattea, which earned song of the year honors from ACM, CMA, and NSAI, marking the first time in country music history that a song received all four prestigious accolades in a single year. Henry’s songs, including the poignant tribute to Martin Luther King, “Beautiful Fool,” showcase a remarkable blend of wit and wisdom, solidifying his enduring impact on the music industry.