Buddy Holly Songwriter’s Concert

The fourth annual Buddy Holly Songwriters Retreat Concert held on October 4, 2024 is the culmination of the best-of-the-best songs written during the unique retreat, which takes place October 1-4 in Lubbock.

The concert is a one-of-a-kind performance showcasing the best songs written throughout the week by songwriters from around the world, US, and locals who have met in Lubbock for a week of writing, collaborating, and celebrating the legacy of Buddy Holly. General admission tickets are $20, student tickets are $15, and proceeds go to fund the following years retreat.  

This week-long songwriter’s retreat was created in 2019 to honor Buddy’s long-lasting impact on the music scene. Lubbock Entertainment and Performing Arts Association hosts 20-30 attendees from around the world, including the UK, New Zealand, and Canada, throughout the US, and local songwriters as well, in addition to the professional mentors. Local songwriters participating this year include Joy Harris, Junior Vasquez, Jeremy Couture, Jonny Hughes, Micah Burns, Jau Suenos, Alicia Morgan, Gypsy Jayne and Hadlie Jo. Each day the artists break up into small groups to collaborate with mentors through the creative process of songwriting. Each evening, the groups come back together for great local cuisine, and share the songs written during the day. The songwriters pay their travel to Lubbock and LEPAA receives grants, donations, and sponsorships to cover lodging, meals and local transport.  

Beth Neilsen Chapman, known for writing “This Kiss”, the famous hit by Faith Hill, serves as curator of the retreat. She and other seasoned songwriting veterans work with 2-3 qualified, serious-minded students for a master class, rotating the mentors and songwriting groups each day. This allows the songwriters to be inspired each day, meeting and writing with new friends. Many have gone on after the retreat to collaborate on projects. More information on the retreat can be found at buddyhollyretreat.com.  

Tickets can be purchased at buddyhollyhall.com, at (806) 79-BUDDY (792-8339) and in person at the box office, located at 1300 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX 79401.  

The retreat is made possible in part through a grant from the City of Lubbock, as recommended by Civic Lubbock, Inc. Other sponsors include Lubbock County Commissioners Court and The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation. Partners include Cotton Court, Buddy Holly Center, Blue Light, and Rockin’ Box.