, a 15-year-old multi-instrumentalist from East Tennessee, is rapidly emerging as one of bluegrass music’s brightest stars. With a fiery passion and a profound respect for the genre’s traditions, he skillfully blends the influences of bluegrass pioneers with youthful energy. Known for his extraordinary mandolin playing, soulful vocals, and original songwriting, Wyatt has built a dedicated fanbase across social media platforms. His band performances, marked by raw energy and tight harmonies, breathe new life into traditional bluegrass, seamlessly fusing the rich traditions of Appalachia with a modern edge.

Leading his band with undeniable presence, Wyatt is supported by exceptional musicians, including banjo player Gibson Davis, fiddlers Christian Ward and Noah Goebel, guitarist Alex Leach, and bassist Sarah Griffin. Their performances, often centered around the old-school single microphone, capture the true spirit of bluegrass while infusing a youthful intensity and virtuosity that sets them apart. With intricate musicianship and dynamic stage presence, the band creates a unique sound that resonates with bluegrass fans old and new.

Wyatt’s extraordinary talent has earned him notable recognition, including the title of 2024 Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year from the International Bluegrass Music Association. He has collaborated with bluegrass legends like Peter Rowan, Marty Stuart, and Bobby Osborne, and his rise to prominence has been featured in Rolling Stone, cementing his place in the bluegrass spotlight. His innovative approach to bluegrass has already begun to influence the next generation of musicians, furthering his impact on the genre.

In 2024, Wyatt made his solo debut at the Newport Folk Festival, and his band became a fan favorite at major festivals such as Gray Fox, MerleFest, and Big Ears. A regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Wyatt made his official debut at just 14 years old, following several guest appearances with Opry members Dailey & Vincent starting at age 13. His debut album of original instrumentals not only topped the bluegrass charts in 2024 but also saw 10 of its 12 tracks featured in the Top 10, with “Blue Smoke” holding steady in the Top 10 for most of the year—solidifying his status as one of the genre’s most promising emerging talents.

Currently, Wyatt is preparing to release an album with his touring band, which will feature a mix of fan favorites and exciting new original material. This album marks a significant milestone in his career and promises to showcase even more of his unique sound and growing artistry. With relentless dedication to his craft, Wyatt is making a lasting impression on the bluegrass world. As he continues to push the boundaries of bluegrass, Wyatt is poised to captivate music lovers around the world—you won’t want to miss the next chapter in this unstoppable young artist's journey.

Wyatt Ellis

“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.

BIO

Began studying mandolin online and gaining an audience, age 10.
Apprenticeship with Sierra Hull. TN Folklife, age 10.
2-year scholarship with Bobby Osborne, age 11.
Member of the Gibson Generation Group, age 11.
Apprenticeship with Paul Brewster, TN Folklife, age 11.
Wrote “Grassy Cove,” “Blue Smoke,” and other tunes, age 11.
Recorded debut album, Happy Valley, age 13.
Debut Album  charting multiple singles, age 14, 15.
Happy Valley debuted Billboard Bluegrass Charts, age 14.
Played Peter Rowan’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame Induction, age 13.
Performed with Billy Strings for Doc Watson’s 100th, age 13.
First Opry appearances as guest of Dailey & Vincent, age 13.
Exhibit in The East Tennessee Historical Center, age 13.
Formed his own band and began touring, age 13.
Featured at MerleFest Mandolin Mania, age 13,14.
Composed and Recorded with Bobby Osborne, age 13.
Made Official Grand Ole Opry Artist Debut, age 14.
Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival Artist, age 14.
Kicked off Crossroads at the Grammy Museum Rooftop, age 14.
Chosen as an NPR From the Top Fellow, age 14.
Collaborated with Victor Wooten on NPR, age 14.
Recorded in collaboration with Bobby Osborne, age 14.
Featured in Rolling Stone and other major press age 14.
Supported Marty Stuart at The Birchmere, The Beacon, and The Egg, age 14.
Opened for Del McCoury in Philadelphia, MS, on 15th birthday.
Performed as an Opry Artist 5 times in his debut year, age 14-15.
Headlined Big Ears, Bristol, GreyFox, and Earl Scruggs Fest, age 15.
Made his solo Newport Folk Fest Debut, age 15.
Recorded in collaboration with Peter Rowan, age 15.
Performed at Neyland Stadium with ERNEST, age 15.
Named IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist 2024, age 15.
Partnered with Friends of the Smokies. age 15.
Spearheaded “Pickin’ Up the Pieces,” a benefit for Mountain Ways, age 15.
Chosen as Blount County’s Peaceful Side Ambassador, age 15.
Second Album in production, original music with traditional influences.

“Yeah, he's gonna be good one day. I remember when they said that about me.”

Billy Strings