Henhouse Nashville Sessions
The Henhouse Nashville Sessions
Come to Nashville. Leave With a Record.
“Mr. Dawson is the T-Bone Burnett of Canada” – No Depression Magazine
Making a record is exciting, but it can get complicated fast. The number of songs shifts, the player list grows, studio days expand, and budgets start moving around. Before long, what felt straightforward becomes a negotiation between time, money, and momentum.
After years of guiding projects through that process, and seeing which approaches consistently lead to strong, finished records, we decided to simplify it.
The Henhouse Nashville Sessions are built around two clear, practical paths: a full-length album or a focused three-song EP. They’re structured around what works in this city - the right players, a realistic schedule, and enough time to do the work properly without drifting.
We’ve also taken care of the details that are often left to chance: a comfortable place to stay, meals during tracking days, airport transport. The logistics are handled so your attention can stay where it belongs - on the music.
If you have the songs and you’re ready to bring them to life, this gives you a defined plan, a great room, and a relaxed, inspiring way to make it happen. The way records should be made.
Records produced and guided by Steve Dawson have earned 7 Juno Awards, multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, Blues Music Awards, and other international recognition.
We’re ready to record when you are!
The Album Experience
For artists ready to make a full statement.
Three focused tracking days in East Nashville with a tight band of top Nashville players - time to refine, adjust, and finish properly.
This is a complete album process, not open-ended studio time, and takes care of everything up to the mastering stage.
Includes:
• 1 day pre-production
• 3 tracking days with 3 Nashville session players (drums, bass, plus one additional instrument or player)
• Steve Dawson guiding the process and playing
• 2 additional studio days for overdubs, editing and prep for mixing (mixing completed after your stay)
• 5 nights accommodation in a private East Nashville condo
• Full catered lunches, coffee & snacks on tracking days
• Airport transport included
The Henhouse is a fully equipped and custom-built recording space in East Nashville with an expertly curated collection of instruments, vintage and modern recording equipment.
Cost: $20,000 CAD
(approximately $14,800 USD at current exchange)
“Steve is an extraordinary talent and genuine good dude. Masterful player, engineer and producer. Steve’s orbit includes the most world class session musicians and the tones he gets are deep and soulful.” - Lorne P. (previous client)
The EP Experience
For artists who want a concentrated, high-impact release.
A focused tracking day in East Nashville at The Henhouse Studio with top Nashville players.
Time to refine and complete three songs properly, right up to the mastering stage.
Includes:
• Pre-production consultation
• 1 tracking day with 2 top Nashville session players (drums, bass), with Steve Dawson guiding and playing
• 1 additional studio day for edits and overdubs
• Editing & mixing (completed after your stay)
• 3 nights accommodation in a private East Nashville condo
• Full catered lunch, coffee & snacks on tracking day
• Airport transport included
The Henhouse is a fully equipped and custom-built recording space in East Nashville with an expertly curated collection of instruments, vintage and modern recording equipment.
Cost: $6,500 CAD
(approximately $4,800 USD at current exchange)
Interested in exploring either option further?
Why Trust Steve Dawson With Your Next Record?
Steve Dawson is a Nashville-based producer, guitarist, and engineer with more than three decades of experience making records rooted in song, feel, and musicianship.
Over the years, he has produced and performed on hundreds of albums across roots, folk, Americana, and beyond, working with artists such as Matt Andersen, Allison Russell, Joe Henry, Kelly Joe Phelps, John Hammond, Old Man Luedecke, Ndidi O, The Deep Dark Woods and many more.
Steve’s approach is simple: assemble the right Nashville players, build sessions around the songs, and focus on performances that feel timeless and human.
As the owner of The Henhouse Studio in East Nashville, he works without the time pressure, inflated day rates, or creative constraints that often come with commercial studio bookings. Sessions are focused, flexible, and built entirely around the artist and the songs.
You’ll be working inside a real Nashville recording circle - career session players who make records for a living.
“Steve Dawson is an extraordinarily gifted and versatile musician. Being as well a songwriter, engineer, and producer allows Steve a broad and nuanced perspective of any project’s scope; and he is an unfailingly inventive and generous collaborator.” - Joe Henry
Where you’ll stay
Your Nashville Session includes accommodation in a private East Nashville condo - quiet, comfortable, and a quick drive to coffee shops, restaurants, and neighborhood spots.
You’ll have a king bedroom, full kitchen, and space to decompress after long studio days. No scrambling for hotels. No added logistics.
Arrive, settle in, focus on the music.
The Process
We begin with pre-production song selection and arrangements, making sure the songs are fully formed but leaving room to let things develop on the recording floor without being too rigid. Steve will write charts for the band for every selected song. When tracking starts, you’re working with experienced Nashville players who are used to moving efficiently - listening closely, making adjustments quickly, and capturing strong performances without endless second-guessing.
Tracking days are concentrated and purposeful. We cut live as much as possible, refine parts in the moment, and keep the energy moving forward. There’s space to adjust, but not drift. We do overdubs with the people in the room who have ideas to contribute before moving on.
We will have time without the band to go through all the performances, discuss further overdubs, and get editing roughed in before you leave.
After you head home, editing and mixing continue with the same clarity. You’re kept in the loop, but the goal remains the same from day one: finish the record properly.
If this sounds like the right way to make your record, we can talk through timing, songs, and next steps.
Designed for Artists Who Are Ready
These sessions are built for artists who want to finish what they start.
The structure is intentional. The timeline is realistic. The goal is clear.
You don’t leave with half a project.
You leave with a record.
When you’re ready, we’re ready.
