MERCYLAND SONGWRITER WORKSHOP
July 13-17, 2025, NASHVILLE, TN
MERCYLAND IN MUSIC CITY 2025
This is one for the books! For the first time, we’ll have 4 mentors — Will Kimbrough, Steve Hindalong, Phil Madeira, and Cindy Morgan!
Now in its 10th year, Mercyland has created a community of creatives, including an Irish workshop with Phil and Sammy Horner — we just wrapped up our 2025 Ireland workshop!
You’ll check in July 13th with a fantastic meet and greet like never before!
For the 3 following days, you’ll co-write with your peers and your mentors, and you’ll leave the workshop on the 17th, with (in all likelihood) 6 songs!
This is the only workshop of its kind. There are many great ones out there, but Mercyland has pioneered a hands-on approach where you not only learn from the pros, but you write with them, too.
We will hold the workshop at a charming home in the Belmont University neighborhood, with plenty of airbnbs and food nearby!
For more info, contact Phil at mercylandmusic@gmail.com
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Steve Hindalong has written some remarkable music in his many years as drummer and lyricist for The Choir. He also wrote one of the most famous CCM songs ever — “God Of Wonders”. He still works with The Choir, sits in regularly with Red Dirt Boys, and will have just returned from touring South America with Sixpence None The Richer.
Will Kimbrough has spent a lifetime writing songs and performing them, along the way becoming a respected recording artist, producer and musician. Will is also a member of Red Dirt Boys, and has won the Americana Award for Best Guitarist. Will's songs have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Little Feat, Todd Snider, Jack Ingram, Gretchen Peters and many others, and his production work for Shemekia Copland has garnered many awards and a Grammy nomination.
Phil Madeira’s songs have been recorded by Alison Krauss, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Keb’ Mo’, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and The Civil Wars, who won a Grammy with the song he co-wrote with them — “From This Valley”. He has been in Emmylou Harris’ Red Dirt Boys for nearly two decades. His newest solo record “Falcon” releases July 18.
From gospel to pop to Americana, Cindy Morgan is an insightful voice across musical genres as she has grown to become one of Nashville’s acclaimed songwriters. An East Tennessee native, Morgan’s evocative melodies and brilliant songwriting have poetically and prolifically mined the depths of life and love both in her own recording and through songwriting for noteworthy artists around the globe.
PRAISE FROM PARTICIPANTS
“The tag-team workshops of Mercyland allowed for high-intensity focus on both lyric writing and song crafting. Each exercise, lesson, and collaboration is a happening. The camaraderie of co-writing made each session a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The positive, accepting environment and the love and kindness shared made it feel like we were in a place called Mercyland.”
— Chuck McDowell
“Mercyland Songwriter Workshop was exactly what the doctor ordered. I've been writing for about ten years but somewhere along the way, I lost my voice and passion to write. Mercyland Workshops are great at pulling out my creativity and digging into a part of me I didn't even know existed. I can't wait for the next session! Phil Madeira is one of the best musicians and songwriters in the industry. I love his soul and passion for breaking down the meaning of a song. I couldn't wait to hear what he said about each song I wrote.”
— Joy Anderson
“Mercyland Songwriter Workshop was everything I hoped for, and more. The workshops helped me tap into and express thoughts and ideas that I wasn’t aware even existed. The experience helped me craft my thoughts into tangible and coherent lyrics. Mercyland created an environment of trust, intimacy and learning. I'll be going back for more.”
— Jonathan Richardson