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| Photo courtesy Megan Bee/Eli Hiller |
Finding Harmony in the Hills: An Interview with Megan Bee
Megan Bee is a singer-songwriter whose music embodies the
spirit of wanderlust and deep connection to the land. Her sound is a seamless
blend of homespun vocals, acoustic warmth, and evocative storytelling, drawing
influence from Appalachian folk traditions and contemporary songwriting. With
albums like Cottonwood and Waiting, she has garnered praise from
Americana UK, No Depression Magazine, and The Ohio Music Awards, earning
recognition for her heartfelt authenticity. Whether she's reflecting on life on
the road or weaving nature into her lyrics, Megan’s artistry speaks to the
soul. In this interview, we explore her creative process, musical journey, and
the inspirations behind her songs—plus, Words in the Hills, a
weekend-long writing retreat and workshop set in the stunning Hocking Hills, Ohio.
Support Megan's new
album by contributing to her Kickstarter, open until Wednesday, May 21, 2025,
at 8 PM. She's close to reaching her goal! Megan offers rewards and bundles.
Check it out: Megan Bee’s Kickstarter.
Welcome, Megan!
GM: Spring greetings, Megan. I was hoping to attend your
event this weekend, Words in the Hills, and look forward to your 2026
event. Tell us about the beginnings of Words in the Hills and your
journey thus far...
MB: I have a background in environmental education and led camp programs at Camp Oty'Okwa in the Hocking Hills for about ten years. Later my work shifted into my own singer-songwriter career which has taken me all over the country. I attended Rocky Mountain Song School in Colorado for five years in the summer, and the combination of being outdoors and studying writing was really inspiring. I just kept thinking, "I wish this happened closer to home." Eventually I decided to make it happen and started Words In The Hills LLC in 2021. It's really a passion project for me that brings me full circle back to the camp where I first taught, but this time with adult writers.
GM: Is the retreat limited to certain genres?
MB: No, it is open to all creative writers of any genre! Each year I invite a few writers with different backgrounds to teach. Even if you are mostly drawn to one genre, I find it is fun and inspiring to dabble in other styles. Stories inspire songs, poems inspire essays, and we all inspire each other with our words. This year we have workshops on poetry, short story, song, and more.
GM: What can a writer expect to glean from attending Words
in the Hills?
MB: Growth; it's a time to try something new, relight the spark, and specifically take time out for writing. Sharing; it's an opportunity to share writing with other writers. Some writers in the past have never read their work before they got up at our open-mic night. Connection; reconnecting to the outdoors in a beautiful place and connecting with other writers. I've seen writers meet during the weekend and continue to stay in touch and support each other. I really love the supportive community of writers we are building. Writing can be such a solitary endeavor that I find real value in getting together and remembering we are all part of this bigger community of people who love words.
GM: Where is the retreat held? What is appropriate attire
and what do participants need to bring?
MB: It’s at Camp Oty'Okwa in the Hocking Hills here in SE Ohio. It's right down the road from Old Man's Cave and other popular state parks. The camp owns over 700 acres of private forested land with caves, cliffs, creeks, and amazing rock formations. Lodging is provided in a bunkhouse or option to tent camp. Bring hiking boots, outdoor clothes, and something to write with!
GM: Sounds marvelous! And your songs and lyrics are so
beautiful, Megan. Who is your favorite author/poet?
MB: Mary Oliver is my favorite poet. The way she writes about the land, the fragility of life, and the beauty of the world really resonates with me.
GM: Can you share one of your own poems?
MB: You can find my music at https://meganbeemusic.com or look up Megan Bee on any streaming platforms.
GM: When is the next retreat and how can writers sign up?
MB: Our 2025 spring retreat is sold out, but you can follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter to get updates about the next retreat! https://wordsinthehills.com
About Megan:
Singer-songwriter Megan Bee writes with an unquenchable wanderlust and a deep love for the land. Her 2022 album "Cottonwood" has been called "as real as it gets – a raw and real telling of engaging, relatable stories." It was listed in the best of 2022 by Americana UK and No Depression Magazine and received mentions from American Songwriter and IAMA. Her previous album "Waiting" (2020) earned The Ark of Music album of the year award. Past albums have garnered The Ohio Music Awards Best Americana and Best Singer-Songwriter Albums, and a finalist spot in the USA Songwriting Competition.
Megan’s
music is a blend of distinctly homespun vocals, acoustic simplicity, yearning
soulfulness, and winsome storytelling. She weaves imagery and metaphor
from nature into her lyrics. Her background as an environmental educator,
traveling farmhand, and vagabond once took her into a desert wilderness where
she found her voice around a campfire. Her live shows are an intimate
sharing of personal experiences, observations, stories from the road, nature
facts, and light-hearted humor. Megan bases out of the rolling hills of
Athens, Ohio, and draws influence from the collision of Appalachian folk and
modern songwriting. You can feel the presence of the foothills in her
music yet her tendency to wander casts a wistful and adventurous color over the
concept of “home.”
Over
the past ten years she has released four full length albums and toured
relentlessly. From coffee shops, house concerts, festivals, and theaters
she has roamed the country in her Dodge minivan sharing her simple songs.
In 2022 she founded Words In The Hills LLC, a writing retreat in Southeast
Ohio. The retreat welcomes creative writers of all genres to gather in a
summer camp setting to take workshops, connect with other writers, and be
inspired by the natural beauty of the region.
Connect with Megan…
www.meganbeemusic.com
www.wordsinthehills.com
MB: I have a background in environmental education and led camp programs at Camp Oty'Okwa in the Hocking Hills for about ten years. Later my work shifted into my own singer-songwriter career which has taken me all over the country. I attended Rocky Mountain Song School in Colorado for five years in the summer, and the combination of being outdoors and studying writing was really inspiring. I just kept thinking, "I wish this happened closer to home." Eventually I decided to make it happen and started Words In The Hills LLC in 2021. It's really a passion project for me that brings me full circle back to the camp where I first taught, but this time with adult writers.
MB: No, it is open to all creative writers of any genre! Each year I invite a few writers with different backgrounds to teach. Even if you are mostly drawn to one genre, I find it is fun and inspiring to dabble in other styles. Stories inspire songs, poems inspire essays, and we all inspire each other with our words. This year we have workshops on poetry, short story, song, and more.
MB: Growth; it's a time to try something new, relight the spark, and specifically take time out for writing. Sharing; it's an opportunity to share writing with other writers. Some writers in the past have never read their work before they got up at our open-mic night. Connection; reconnecting to the outdoors in a beautiful place and connecting with other writers. I've seen writers meet during the weekend and continue to stay in touch and support each other. I really love the supportive community of writers we are building. Writing can be such a solitary endeavor that I find real value in getting together and remembering we are all part of this bigger community of people who love words.
MB: It’s at Camp Oty'Okwa in the Hocking Hills here in SE Ohio. It's right down the road from Old Man's Cave and other popular state parks. The camp owns over 700 acres of private forested land with caves, cliffs, creeks, and amazing rock formations. Lodging is provided in a bunkhouse or option to tent camp. Bring hiking boots, outdoor clothes, and something to write with!
MB: Mary Oliver is my favorite poet. The way she writes about the land, the fragility of life, and the beauty of the world really resonates with me.
MB: You can find my music at https://meganbeemusic.com or look up Megan Bee on any streaming platforms.
MB: Our 2025 spring retreat is sold out, but you can follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter to get updates about the next retreat! https://wordsinthehills.com
Singer-songwriter Megan Bee writes with an unquenchable wanderlust and a deep love for the land. Her 2022 album "Cottonwood" has been called "as real as it gets – a raw and real telling of engaging, relatable stories." It was listed in the best of 2022 by Americana UK and No Depression Magazine and received mentions from American Songwriter and IAMA. Her previous album "Waiting" (2020) earned The Ark of Music album of the year award. Past albums have garnered The Ohio Music Awards Best Americana and Best Singer-Songwriter Albums, and a finalist spot in the USA Songwriting Competition.
www.meganbeemusic.com
www.wordsinthehills.com
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| WORDS IN THE HILLS |
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| CAVEHANDS: WORDS IN THE HILLS |
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| WORDS IN THE HILLS |
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| Megan Bee: Photo by Mikie Strite Appalachian Exposure |
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