OUR Sacred Songs: The Music of Progressive Faith
Pre-Festival Offering
Thursday September 3, 2026
9 am–5 pm
cost: $59.00
Join us at this all-day event for a collaborative workshop dedicated to dreaming up original music for progressive churches. This isn’t a workshop about technique—it’s an invitation to put to language what we’re already feeling, sensing, and wanting to declare. Many of us in progressive faith spaces have felt the gap between what we’re wrestling with and what we dare to hope for. Writers, musicians, music leaders, and creatives of all kinds are welcome here. If you’ve ever thought, “someone should write that song” – perhaps you are that someone. Come ready to imagine, collaborate, and create the art our communities are still waiting for.
Ricky Braddy
Ricky Braddy is a singer and songwriter based in Nashville, TN. He grew up in North Carolina, singing gospel music with his family in church. He graduated from Belmont University in 2007 and went on to gain national recognition as a Top 15 finalist on American Idol in 2009, and returned to national television a decade later as a Top 20 finalist on The Voice in 2019. During that 2019 run, at age 36, Ricky came out publicly on national television. Since 2020, Ricky has served as Music and Arts Director at GracePointe Church in Nashville, Tennessee, curating and creating music for the Progressive Christian movement. He is currently writing an original musical for the Broadway stage. The show is based on a true story of healing, reconciliation, and belonging, and draws on Ricky’s roots in gospel music.
Check In for pre-festival events will be available on Wednesday from 1 pm to 5 pm, and Thursday from 7am to 9 am.
If you’re tent camping, there’s no additional campsite charge for Wednesday night.
Some campsite locations are restricted due to large venue tent construction in several areas.
RV campers will need to purchase an additional night.