SONGWRITERS FOR STREAMS
2024

Save the Date for Songwriters for Streams 2025!

April 27, 2025

About


Songwriters for Streams is Harpeth Conservancy’s annual celebration of music, community, and conservation, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Harpeth River. This unique event brings together award-winning songwriters and music lovers for an unforgettable afternoon of live performances, all while supporting our mission to protect clean water and healthy rivers in Tennessee.

Held every April in honor of Earth Month, Songwriters for Streams takes place at the stunning riverside home of Libby and Nick Sieveking in Franklin, TN. Guests enjoy a relaxed, picnic-style gathering with blankets, charcuterie, cocktails, and firepits creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. With engaging family-friendly activities and a lineup of acclaimed artists, it’s an event that connects people to the natural beauty we’re working to protect.

Proceeds from Songwriters for Streams—including ticket sales, sponsorships, and a live auction featuring exclusive memorabilia—support Harpeth Conservancy’s work to ensure clean water and thriving river ecosystems for generations to come.

2024 Songwriters For Streams

An Unforgettable Afternoon of Music and Conservation

When: Sunday, April 21, 2024

Where: Libby and Nick Sieveking’s farm along the scenic Harpeth River, Franklin, TN

Presented By: Grasslands Environmental

Event Highlights

  • A Sold-Out Crowd: Almost 600 attendees enjoyed this magical outdoor event.
  • Incredible Performances: Featuring Grammy-nominated songwriters Tom DouglasBarry Dean, and James Slater, with an opening set by Derek and John Pell.
  • A Unique Atmosphere: Guests brought blankets, charcuterie boards, and cocktails for a relaxed, B.Y.O. picnic-style gathering under a canopy of spring trees, enhanced by firepits and the natural beauty of the Harpeth River.

Family-Friendly Activities

  • Marshmallow roasting for s’mores
  • Hot chocolate stations
  • Educational macroinvertebrate station (creek critters)
  • Songwriting and birding workshops with Bonner Black
  • Face painting and more!

THE 2024 S4S ARTISTS

Tom Douglas

2024 S4S Host

Tom Douglas is a Grammy, Academy, Oscar, and Golden Globe Award-nominated songwriter and filmmaker who has penned numerous hits for some of the biggest names in country music. Douglas’s songwriting prowess has garnered him prestigious awards, including BMI Songwriter of the Year and winning the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year award.

Some of Douglas’ top hits include:
“The House That Built Me” Miranda Lambert (CMA Song of the Year)
“I Run to You” Lady A
“Drunk Girl” Chris Jansen (MusicRow Award for Song of the Year)
“Meanwhile Back at Mama’s” Tim McGraw feat. Faith Hill (Grammy Nomination)
“Raise ‘Em Up” Keith Urban featuring Eric Church (Grammy Nomination)

Grammy-nominated and CMA award-winning songwriter Barry Dean has had songs recorded by numerous country music stars.

Some of Dean’s top hits include:
“Pontoon” Little Big Town
“Girls Chase Boys” Ingrid Michelson
“Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” Tim McGraw
“American Honey” Lady A
“Days Go By” Keith Urban

James Slater

A two-time Grammy-nominated, piano-playing, bilingual singer-songwriter, James Slater has had songs recorded by country superstars.

Some of Slater’s top hits include:
“In My Daughter’s Eyes” Martina McBride
“The High Cost of Living” Jamey Johnson
“Unstoppable” Rascal Flatts
“Maggie Creek Road” Reba McEntire
“Falling In Love Again” Kellie Pickler
“Solo un Momento” Willie Nelson

Derek Pell

Derek Pell is a multi-genre violinist from Nashville, Tennessee. He toured with Ray Price and The Cherokee Cowboys for over five years, along with The John Jorgenson Quintet, Occidental Gypsy, Paul Bogart, and other performers. He is regularly found in the recording studios in Nashville, producing strings and fiddle tracks for various artists as well as Film & TV. His band, Hot Club Time Machine, performs regularly in Nashville featuring an inspired blend of swing, gypsy jazz, world music, bluegrass, classic country, and even a little Stevie Wonder.

John Pell

One of Nashville’s all-time great guitarists, John Pell, has become a well-known composer, arranger, and highly touted guitar instructor who has served as the Coordinator of Guitar Studies at Belmont University since 1978. In 1975, Mr. Pell recorded and toured with Dolly Parton and performed on her nationally syndicated television show. In 1977, Pell was composer and arranger on Chet Atkin’s classic “First Nashville Guitar Quartet” album; Pell’s critically acclaimed 1978 album “The Last Time I Saw Home,” features beautiful instrumentals built around Pell’s guitar, augmented by oboe and strings, flute, keyboards, bass and percussion.

Thanks to generous support through sponsorships, carload ticket sales, and a live auction featuring autographed handwritten lyrics, the event raised nearly $60,000 to support Harpeth Conservancy’s mission of protecting clean water and healthy rivers in Tennessee.

Presenting Sponsor

Waterfall Sponsors

Creek Sponsors

Spring Sponsors

Beverage Partners

Media & Event Partners

2025 Songwriters for Streams Committee

Paul Allen
Laura & David Anderson
Brenda Black
Meghan & Owen Canavan
Dorie Bolze & Claude Carmichael
Grace Stranch & Tyler Cullender
Delia & David Darst
Katie & Tom Douglas
Anne Goetze
Allison & Drake Greiner
Lee Anne & Kevin Hagan
Lisa Harless
Christie Roth & Seaver Harp
Jessica Baggetta & Tom Herrick
Biz & JP Homik
Katie & Bill Johnson

Courtney Kemp
Nancy & Wes Kennedy
Courtney Laginess
Layton Meng
Kathy & Eddie Moon
Mimi Rose
Julie Russell
Allison & Fraser Schaufele
Kim & Larry Sharp
Libby & Nick Sieveking, hosts
Jamie & Matt Smith
Sue Snyder
Mary & John Stone
DeeDee Wade
Tamara & Barclay Wong

Songwriters for Streams 2024

Featuring Barry Dean, Tom Douglas, And James Slater

Sunday, April 21
Franklin, Tennessee at the
Home of Libby & Nick Sieveking

Our family-friendly benefit to protect clean water and rivers in Tennessee featuring talented songwriters was a hit!

Thank you for helping us raise almost $60,000 to support our mission!

Check out the photos from our 2024 event! Feel free to download and save your faves!

Centered Flickr Embed

River Songs & Inspiration Playlist

Featuring songs from some of our favorite Tennessee songwriters – past and present!

To see info about years past, click below: