Freedom Sings USA hosts special retreats where acclaimed Nashville songwriters partner with individual veterans to turn their personal stories into songs.

These two-day retreats—typically held on a Friday evening and Saturday—offer a powerful and healing creative experience.

Friday Night: Meet & Greet and Songwriter Showcase
Five veterans are selected to participate and are each paired with a professional songwriter from Nashville. The retreat begins with a relaxed meet-and-greet where the songwriters perform some of their hit songs and get to know the veterans they’ll be working with.

Saturday: Writing and Sharing the Story
The morning starts with a light breakfast, giving veterans and songwriters time to connect before breaking into small group sessions. During these sessions, veterans share their stories while the songwriters help craft them into songs that capture their experiences, emotions, and resilience.

Saturday Evening: Live Performance
That evening, the newly written songs are performed live. Each veteran has the opportunity to introduce their song, share a bit about their story, and reflect on the creative process alongside their songwriter partner. Media coverage often highlights these powerful collaborations and the healing impact of the event.

Many of these original songs are later featured on Freedom Sings USA CDs, with proceeds supporting programs that continue to serve and empower veterans.