“Traditional Bluegrass needs new songs to perform to keep the genre fresh and moving forward. Wyatt has the goods to help bring that about.”
Marty Stuart, Rolling Stone
Born and raised in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, fifteen-year-old Wyatt Ellis’ journey from a pandemic-era beginner to a professional musician has been extraordinary. Inspired by his hero Bobby Osborne, Wyatt first picked up the mandolin with the dream of learning to play the East Tennessee bluegrass anthem “Rocky Top." His rapid rise reflects a deep commitment to his craft, a love for tradition, and a reverence for his authentic Appalachian roots. With each milestone in his career, Wyatt continues to honor his heroes while shaping the future of bluegrass music.
In the year prior to the pandemic, Wyatt began learning the basics of mandolin through in-person lessons in his hometown with Roscoe Morgan. That fall, Wyatt began to visit local jams like Rocky Branch Mountain Music and Bradbury Community Center, where he began to play with and learn from other musicians. When these local lessons and jams vanished, Wyatt turned to YouTube and social media to continue learning. These online resources became a new, infinite avenue for growth, helping him stay connected to music even as the world around him slowed down.
Serendipitously stumbling across an ad for a mandolin course on social media, Wyatt joined Christopher Henry and David McLaughlin’s Monroe Mandolin Workshops. As soon as Wyatt was encouraged to rely on his ear to learn, things began to click. Wyatt attended weekly virtual meetings with two of the best mandolin players on the planet while the rest of the world was shut down immersing himself in the intricate nuances of Bill Monroe’s playing. Encouragement by his heroes paired with the Murphy Method of learning every detail by ear made a big impact on Wyatt’s development, accelerating his growth as a musician. Through learning every note-for-note detail of Monroe’s playing, the literal alphabet of bluegrass mandolin was now at his fingertips.
With his online presence growing, Wyatt was awarded an apprenticeship from the Tennessee Arts Commission in late 2020, learning virtually from Sierra Hull for 8 months, honing his technical skills and sparking a life-long passion for the mandolin. Sierra's journey from a child prodigy to a world-class musician gave Wyatt the guts to take his music seriously. Wyatt also wrote numerous original instrumentals during this period, including "Grassy Cove" and "Maryville," which would later shape his debut album. His dedication to learning during these challenging times not only sharpened his musical abilities but also solidified his deep-rooted connection to the bluegrass tradition.
At age 11, Wyatt joined the Gibson Generation Group, under the recommendation of master luthier David Harvey, expanding his access to other world-class musicians and upgraded his mandolin with the help of Harvey and The Mandolin Store. During this time, Wyatt began to gain interest in singing and was awarded another Tennessee Folklife Apprenticeship with vocalist Paul Brewster to study traditional bluegrass singing and harmony. His passion for vocal performing grew as he learned the art of blending harmonies, ultimately broadening his musical scope.
In 2021, Wyatt connected with bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne, embarking on a two-year scholarship with his hero through HCTC's Kentucky School of Bluegrass with a focus on harmony mandolin. A full circle milestone in Wyatt’s journey was being invited to play mandolin harmony alongside Bobby and their mutual friend C.J. Lewandowski on most of the his final project's tracks. Wyatt and Bobby composed a tune in their last lesson and it will be released on the project posthumously. Additionally, Wyatt was asked to play the mandolin solo - just like Bobby taught him - on the final version of "Rocky Top."
By age 13, Wyatt began performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage as a guest of Dailey & Vincent, beginning his historic Opry journey. After a handful of guest appearances, Wyatt was invited to make his official Opry debut at 14 years old, performing two original instrumental compositions and singing Jimmy Martin's "Tennessee" receiving a standing ovation. With his official Opry debut Wyatt joined the ranks of a select group of artists including Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker, and Taylor Swift, who also made official Opry debuts in their early teens.
Wyatt Ellis had the honor of playing mandolin at Peter Rowan's induction into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2022, filling in for his mentor Christiopher Henry, a moment that solidified his presence in the bluegrass community. Performing "Walls of Time" with Rowan on a historic mandolin, Wyatt helped pay tribute to the legacy of one of the genre's greatest icons. This unforgettable experience inspired Wyatt to co-write a song with Rowan, blending their voices and talents to create something uniquely special. The collaboration will be featured as a single, set for release in January 2025, that unintentionally built a bridge between bluegrass music's past and future.
Happy Valley, Wyatt's debut album, produced by Sierra's husband, Justin Moses, was released in February 2024. The project was serendipitously recorded at Grandpa Jones’ old homeplace highlighting Wyatt's prodigious mandolin skills and original compositions. “Blue Smoke,” a collaboration with Marty Stuart topped the bluegrass charts for over ten months, receiving widespread attention, including a feature in Rolling Stone. Wyatt was tapped for an appearance on NPR's From the Top hosted by Victor Wooten and Peter Dugan collaborating on a remix of his tune "Whites Creek."
Wyatt’s career continues to soar. He continues to make regular appearances on the Grand Ole Opry with his own touring band. In early 2024, he made his Newport Folk Festival debut and joined Marty Stuart for a run of shows at iconic venues including The Birchmere, wrapping up the run by celebrating his 15th birthday in Marty's hometown, Philadelphia, Mississippi opening for Del McCoury at The Ellis Theater. In the fall, Wyatt joined ERNEST to play in Knoxville's Neyland Stadium opening for fellow East Tennessean Morgan Wallen; an achievement that was punctuated a few days later when Wyatt was named IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year in recognition of his groundbreaking achievements as a new artist.
Wyatt is currently curating his second studio album, a project that highlights his young band’s energetic, traditional sound, which draws from the vibrant musical traditions of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Their live show favorites and newly written songs embody the unmistakable spirit of bluegrass while the timeless influence of bands like The Stanley Brothers and The Johnson Mountain Boys cannot be denied. With tight harmonies, intricate instrumentation, and a raw energy that evokes the Appalachian foothills, the band captures the essence of those early bluegrass pioneers while creating something fresh and exciting.
Beyond receiving generational fist bumps from legends like Eric Clapton, Peter Rowan, Marty Stuart, Ralph Stanley II, and Billy Strings, Wyatt is committed to supporting fellow Appalachian musicians and their communities. Through his partnership with Friends of the Smokies, he advocates for conservation efforts in the Smoky Mountains. His work with Junior Appalachian Musicians, Woodsongs, Mountain Ways and Beloved Asheville further demonstrates his dedication to preserving the mountains and helping the people that have shaped his music.
Wyatt Ellis’ story embodies the classic country music narrative. From barefoot pickin' on his porch in a holler in East Tennessee to standing ovations on the world’s most iconic stage, his career is a testament to the power of 'hillbilly music." Born and raised in the heart of East Tennessee, Wyatt carries the spirit of tradition while simultaneously reshaping the landscape for future generations. As his career continues to unfold, it’s clear that Wyatt's blend of musicality, dedication to his craft, and his authentic Appalachian heritage will ensure that Wyatt Ellis remains a lasting influence on the bluegrass genre and the broader world of acoustic music for years to come.