Sit in on and experience a real recording session
Spend 3 days inside a professional recording session at OCL Studios in Calgary.
You’re in the room as songs are built from scratch, from first takes to final mix.
Most people never get to be in the room for something like this.
If you’ve spent years around music - playing, listening, or just loving records,
this is a rare chance to see how it actually comes together, up close.
Who it’s for:
• Serious music fans
• People who want to experience how records are actually made
• Songwriters, musicians, producers and engineers looking for a different perspective
The Henhouse Hang - Calgary
What makes this experience unique?
Sit in on a real recording session in a world-class studio, not a staged demo
Watch songs go from ideas to tracking to overdubs to final mix
Learn directly from award-winning producers and working musicians
Ask questions and see decisions happen in real time
Lunches, coffee, and snacks provided each day - just show up and focus on the music
Be part of a small group, not a crowded workshop (max 15 people)
This is how records are actually made - and you’re in the room for all of it.
Reserve Your Spot With A $100 Deposit
Full Experience: $1,600 CDN (Plus GST)
Limited to 15 participants
Only 7 spots remaining
If you’re not sure yet, feel free to reach out - We’re happy to answer questions and let you know if it’s the right fit.
($100 deposit required to hold a spot and fully credited to final cost)
You’ll receive full details and schedule after booking.
“I’ve learned so much - The Henhouse Hang is a truly unique and ‘must do’ experience…
I came away completely inspired to take on whatever project I’d been thinking of.”
- Michael (2025 attendee)
What You’ll Be Part Of
Over three days, you’ll have a front-row seat as a song evolves from a rough idea into a fully produced track. You’ll observe and take part in discussions as the band and engineer work through each stage of the process.
A guest artist brings in two unreleased songs, recorded from the ground up right in front of you
Watch Nashville-style charts being written in real time
Watch world-class players hear and perform the song for the first time
Learn how instruments are recorded - from drums and guitars to pedal steel, piano, and more
Follow the live tracking, refining, final takes and overdubs
Ask questions about mic placement, gear choices, and recording techniques as it happens
Creative decisions around arranging, overdubbing, and mixing
Steve Dawson brings over 20 years of record-making experience, alongside long-time collaborator and engineer Sheldon Zaharko, and a lineup of top-tier session musicians from the Americana/Roots world - where recording a live band isn’t just accepted, it’s preferred.
“The entire Henhouse Hang was fantastic. Experiencing the recording process first-hand in the studio gave me insight into every step — from setup to the full musical process. I came away inspired to take on my own project.”
- Allan (2023 attendee)
The Henhouse Hang Calgary
Now Booking for June 19-21, 2026
Delicious lunches, coffee and snacks provided all 3 days
Days run roughly 10am–5pm, with coffee and a casual hang to start each day. There will be a morning session and an afternoon session
You will see 2 songs come to life and be a part of each step of the process
How the 3 days unfold:
Day 1 - Day 1 – Tour the studio, meet the musicians, and learn how each instrument is recorded
Day 2 - Day 2 – Meet the guest artist and experience a full band session from first listen through final overdubs
Day 3 – Final touches and mixing as the songs come together
Full Experience: $1600 CAD (+GST)
$100 deposit holds your spot
Spots are limited to 15 participants.
($100 deposit required to hold a spot and fully credited to final cost)
If you have any questions about The Henhouse Hang, Contact us here.
“Having the opportunity to see “behind the curtain” of the work of such incredible professionals was a gift (and very rare in my experience). Everyone was generous and open handed with answering any questions we had. The food/hospitality was first rate as well!”
- Paul (2023 attendee)
Common Questions
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No, this isn’t interactive in that way. You will be around players, and be able to speak with them and ask them questions, but the musicians we hire to come in will do all the playing.
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None. This event is really geared towards everyone from music fans that just want to be around it and see how it’s done, to professionals that just want a fresh perspective on he process. Whether you’ve worked in audio before, or have no experience at all, you will find this event rewarding.
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Yes, while there is a technical aspect to this, we try not to get too deep in the weeds with anything too technical. People that are just music fans will love this experience.
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This is a very real and very legitimate session! We don’t dumb it down and we don’t put it all on for show. We do work slower than we normally would so we can explain things and answer questions, but we are cutting real tracks that could potentially be released in the future (depending on what the artist wants to do with them, of course!)
($100 deposit required to hold a spot and fully credited to final cost)
If you have any questions about The Henhouse Hang, Contact us here
Guest Artist for 2026
John Wort Hannam
John Wort Hannam has been on a roots-fueled troubadour journey for over two decades, spinning songwriting gold from the chaff of the lives he has encountered and those within his fertile imagination. He’s gaining both momentum and a wider audience, winning two 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards for both Solo Artist and Contemporary Album of the Year. He's released 8 full length recordings and has a few feathers in his hat for his effort that included a Juno nomination, three Canadian Folk Music Awards, a coveted Kerrville, TX New Folk Songwriting Competition win and numerous other Canadian Folk Music Award and Western Canadian Music Award nominations.
Meet The Instructors
Steve Dawson
Behind the seemingly endless stream of award winning musical output is one of the hardest working musicians this country has ever produced. Whether he’s turning heads on the concert circuit with his incendiary playing, or pulling the best possible performances out of the many artists that he works with, Steve Dawson is always striving to take things to the next level with innovative slide guitar playing, fingerstyle guitar and songwriting. His work as an artist and producer has garnered 7 Juno Awards (the Canadian Grammy). He has become an in-demand guitarist and sideman, touring and recording with artists such as Birds of Chicago, Matt Andersen, Allison Russell, Bruce Cockburn, Joe Henry, Jim Byrnes, Kelly Joe Phelps, John Hammond, Alvin Youngblood Hart, and many more.
Steve currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where he works as a solo artist, sideman, and record producer. He runs the acclaimed independent label Black Hen Music and his recording studio, The Henhouse. Steve also releases a monthly podcast exploring the lives and careers of interesting musicians entitled “Music Makers and Soul Shakers”.
Sheldon Zaharko
Sheldon is a Juno Award winning engineer that has worked with many Internationally acclaimed artists on their recording projects. Sheldon is also the recipient of the Western Canadian Music award for Engineer of the year 2017 and 2021.
Sheldon was born in Vermilion, Alberta and discovered at an early age that music can pretty much save your life. Growing up in a small town, he found refuge in music as a musician and performed in bands throughout the 80’s as a drummer. His love of music morphed into a fascination with the recording process and he discovered his passion lay in the studio, behind the mixing board.
From 1993-2011 Sheldon was the Head Engineer at "The Factory", working with a bevy of recording acts like Billy Talent, Robben Ford, Geddy Lee, Simple Plan, Bad Company, Roberta Flack, Michelle Wright, Sheena Easton, Melissa Manchester, Susan Aglukark, Philip Bailey, Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, Prism, Rob Halford, Ridley Bent, Jane Siberry, Holly McNarland and The National Film Board of Canada.
About OCL Studio
OCL Studios is Western Canada's premiere Residential Recording Studio. Our recording facility features three studios, a rehearsal hall, and plenty of space to create.
Studio A features a Neve 88R console and a large tracking room that can accommodate projects of all sizes.
With a gorgeous view of the rocky mountains, our comfortable acreage property allows you to leave the stress of the city behind while you focus entirely on your project.
Custom-built from the ground up by a lifelong musician and music appreciator, our facility is a special place.
We Hope to see you at The Henhouse Hang!!
Some images from Last Year’s Event in Nashville
Featuring our amazing crew, guests and our incredible special guest artist, Lily Winwood
