Send Musicians to Prison,
The Second Verse
Why do artists with Billions of Global Streams, Tens of Millions of Albums Sold, Dozens of Grammy Awards and Nominations, Hall of Fame Songwriters with Hundreds of Charting Songs, Take the the time to play for inmates across the United States for FREE?
For more than 16 years, Send Musicians To Prison has brought hope, healing, and restoration to incarcerated men and women through the universal language of music.
We believe music can communicate what words alone often cannot, breaking through walls of isolation, regret, and hopelessness to reach the human heart with messages of redemption, perseverance, and second chances.
But the mission extends far beyond prison walls.
More than 80% of incarcerated individuals will eventually return to their communities. The question is not whether they will leave prison, the question is who they will become when they do.
At Send Musicians To Prison, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to do life differently on the outside.
Through music, personal stories, and authentic conversations, artists share experiences of struggle, failure, faith, perseverance, and hope. These messages encourage incarcerated men and women to imagine a different future for themselves and prepare for life beyond incarceration.
The letters we receive and interactions with inmates tell this story better than statistics ever could.
Every letter represents a person. Every conversation is a chance to turn a new page.
Every person has value.
And every story deserves the opportunity for a new chapter.
That is why Send Musicians To Prison exists:
To share hope.
To encourage restoration.
And to remind every incarcerated man and woman of one simple truth…
Your story is not over.
Beyond Prison Walls
At Send Musicians To Prison, we recognize that hope inside prison must be matched with support on the outside. Because the vast majority of incarcerated men and women will eventually return to their communities, SMTP partners with re-entry programs that help individuals navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives after incarceration. These partnerships provide encouragement, guidance, accountability, and practical resources that help former inmates pursue healthy relationships, meaningful work, and a renewed sense of purpose. Our goal is not simply to impact people while they are incarcerated, but to help them build a better future long after they leave prison.
Letters from inmates
Nathan Lee’s
Second Verse
Nathan Lee has spent a lifetime using music to connect with people. Raised in northeastern Pennsylvania and later building a career in Nashville as an artist, songwriter, and performer, Nathan eventually discovered that music could do more than entertain, it could inspire hope, healing, and transformation. That realization led him to found Send Musicians To Prison, a ministry that for more than 16 years has brought artists and songwriters into correctional facilities to share music, personal stories, and messages of redemption. After retiring in October 2024, Nathan felt called to return and lead the next chapter of the ministry to reach more incarcerated men and women than ever before. His passion for serving others, combined with a commitment to wise stewardship, continues to guide the mission today.
Artists. Songwriters. Stories.
Send Musicians To Prison has built relationships with some of the most respected artists, songwriters, producers, and performers in music.
What makes these relationships remarkable is that they are built on a shared belief that music can bring hope, healing, and restoration to people who need it most.
Over the years, Grammy winners, Hall of Fame songwriters, platinum-selling artists, award-winning producers, and nationally recognized performers have donated their time and talents to support the mission of Send Musicians To Prison.
Together, these artists represent:
Billions of Global Streams
Tens of Millions of Albums Sold
Dozens of Grammy Awards and Nominations
Hundreds of Charting Songs
Multiple Hall of Fame Songwriters
Generations of Influence Across Country, Christian, Americana, Worship, and Mainstream Music
Artists and songwriters who have partnered with Send Musicians To Prison include:
Lecrae • Steven Curtis Chapman • Tommy Sims • Tom Douglas • The War and Treaty • Walker Hayes • Joy Oladokun • Cory Asbury • Anne Wilson • Andy Mineo • Bones Owens • Bill Miller • Rivers Rutherford • The Warren Brothers • Ruston Kelly • Brent Milligan • Waylon Payne • Project Pat • Struggle Jennings and many others.
Steven Curtis Chapman
Walker Hayes
Struggle Jennings
Underway for 2026
The Second Verse is already in motion.
Multiple artists have completed recording sessions for 2026, including Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and musician Tommy Sims, co-writer of Eric Clapton's Song of the Year, Tears in Heaven.
Additional artists have already recorded and more artists sessions are scheduled throughout the year provided we reach our goal. Multiple prisons are now on a waiting list for in person concerts.
Each recording captures more than music.
Artists share personal stories of struggle, perseverance, faith, failure, redemption, and hope—messages specifically designed to encourage incarcerated men and women who may be searching for a new direction in life.
These recordings will continue reaching thousands of incarcerated men and women long after the cameras stop rolling.
Every song… Every story… Every session…
A reminder that their story is not over.
Sneak peak of what already been recorded for 2026
The Second Verse
Fundraising Target: $200,000
Giving Opportunities
Vision Partners: 2 Opportunities Available at$15,000
Provide leadership-level support for artist recording sessions, production, and national prison distribution.
Executive Sponsors: 5 Opportunities Available at $10,000
Help expand the reach of SMTP content into correctional facilities across the country.
Recording Partners: 10 Opportunities Available at $5,000
Support professional recording sessions with featured artists, songwriters, and storytellers.
Hope Partners: 20 Opportunities Available at $2,500
Help fund the delivery of life-changing content to incarcerated men and women nationwide.
Community Partners: 40 Opportunities Available at $500
Join a growing community of supporters helping expand the mission of Send Musicians To Prison.
Friends of SMTP: 100 Opportunities Available at $100
An opportunity for anyone to participate in bringing hope and encouragement through music.
Join The Second Verse
Help Bring Hope, Healing, and Second Chances Through Music
For more than 16 years, Send Musicians To Prison has used the power of music and storytelling to encourage incarcerated men and women across America. Throughout that time, SMTP has remained committed to wise stewardship, operating with ZERO debt and owning all of its recording, video, and editing equipment outright.
Through The Second Verse Campaign, SMTP is expanding its mission by combining both studio and in-prison recording, allowing the ministry to create more content, reach more people, and share messages of hope in ways that are both impactful and cost-effective.
Artists volunteer their time and talents. SMTP captures those songs and stories, then shares them throughout prison systems across America—bringing hope, healing, and second chances to incarcerated men and women nationwide.
Our goal is simple:
Raise $200,000 through The Second Verse Campaign
Your support will help fund studio and in-prison recording sessions, production, staffing, and the continued distribution of life-changing content to prisons throughout the nation.
Together, we can continue bringing messages of hope, redemption, and second chances to men and women who need them most.
Send Musicians To Prison is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Join The Second Verse.
Help someone discover that their story is not over.
The Team
Leadership & Advisors
Send Musicians To Prison is a 501 C3 guided by a dedicated group of leaders, advisors, artists, and advocates who share a common belief: every person deserves the opportunity for hope, healing, and a second chance.
From Record Company CEO’s to Prison Wardens. Together, they bring decades of experience in music, business, ministry, leadership, and corrections, helping strengthen and expand the mission of Send Musicians To Prison across the country.
Nathan Lee, Founder & Executive Director
Nathan Lee founded Send Musicians To Prison more than 15 years ago after recognizing the unique ability of music to reach people in some of life's most difficult circumstances. Drawing on a lifetime of experience as an artist, songwriter, and performer, Nathan has built trusted relationships throughout both the music industry and correctional systems nationwide. Today, he continues to lead the ministry's next chapter through The Second Verse initiative.
Board of Directors
Tom Romagnoli, Retired Vice President, Ace Hardware
Tom Romagnoli spent decades in executive leadership with Ace Hardware, helping guide one of America's most recognized retail organizations. He brings extensive experience in business operations, leadership, and strategic planning.
Brent Milligan, Producer • Songwriter • Bass Player
Brent Milligan is one of Nashville's most respected producers and session musicians. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside numerous award-winning artists while helping shape recordings heard by millions around the world.
Dr. Terry Smith, Mentor & Leadership Advisor
Dr. Terry Smith is a trusted mentor and encourager to leaders throughout the Nashville community. His passion for personal growth, leadership development, and spiritual formation has impacted countless individuals over the years.
Randy Goodman, Former Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville
Randy Goodman is one of the most respected executives in the music industry. During his leadership of Sony Music Nashville and Provident Entertainment, he helped guide the careers of many of country and Christian music's most successful artists.
George Landolt, Leadership Coach
George Landolt has spent years coaching executives, entrepreneurs, and ministry leaders. His strategic insight and passion for leadership development help strengthen organizations and individuals alike.
Randy Draughon, Founding Pastor, Midtown Fellowship Nashville
Randy Draughon founded Midtown Fellowship, one of Nashville's most influential churches. He is widely respected for his commitment to discipleship, leadership development, and serving the Nashville community.
Erik Schouten, Campaign Chair | Business Owner | Lititz, Pennsylvania
Erik Schouten is the owner of Schouten Drywall and a longtime entrepreneur. A friend of Nathan Lee for more than four decades, Erik serves as Chair of The Second Verse Campaign and helps connect business leaders and supporters to the mission of Send Musicians To Prison.
Warden Edward Duffy, Retired Warden, Rikers Island Jail Complex
Edward Duffy served as a warden within New York City's Rikers Island jail system and has spent years mentoring correctional leaders across the country. His firsthand understanding of prison culture and inmate rehabilitation brings invaluable perspective to the ministry.
And countless others who volunteer, filming, editing, recording, lighting, loading and unloading…
United by a Shared Mission
From recording studios & world tours to correctional facilities across America, this team is united by a simple belief:
“Everyone deserves to hear their story is not over.”
Want to learn more?
Whether you have a question, an idea, or just want to talk more about the work SMTP does. We look forward to hearing from you.