Getting Happy With Wyatt Ellis

In the heart of East Tennessee, on a farm at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, young mandolinist Wyatt Ellis began conducting an Appalachian symphony in his ten-year-old imagination. The result is a collection of enduring melodies poised to capture the attention of a new generation of bluegrass fans.

Wyatt’s first album, Happy Valley, debuted on February 2nd, and we had the opportunity to experience this star-studded album, alongside the privilege of talking with Wyatt about his journey from imagination into reality.

From trading tunes with legends over Zoom during quarantine to making a mark at festivals like MerleFest, Wyatt's narrative is one of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering love for the soul-stirring sounds of bluegrass music.

In this interview, Wyatt shares insight into his creative process, the invaluable experiences gained from performing with icons, and the transformative moments that have shaped his musical identity. His interactions with iconic figures like David McLaughlin and Christopher Henry highlight the supportive nature of the bluegrass community.

Wyatt states, “At the beginning of the pandemic, I started doing a Monroe-style mandolin workshop on Zoom with Christopher Henry and David McLaughlin. David was very encouraging right from the start. According to McLaughlin, “Working with Wyatt is like training a racehorse.” Through interacting with David, I discovered my favorite band of all time, the Johnson Mountain Boys. They are one band whose style inspires me more than any other.”

Wyatt draws that inspiration from the iconic Johnson Mountain Boys for his track "Johnson Mountain Blues" on Happy Valley, with the added honor of featuring David on the collaboration.

The significance of collaborating with his musical heroes holds great importance for Wyatt. Immersing himself in music has provided him with a collaborative melange of an album, featuring artists such as Sierra Hull, Marty Stuart, Jake Workman, Dominik Leslie, Jason Carter, and many more.  We asked how his creative process worked while writing these songs with his mentors and heroes.

“A lot of times, like on the song 'Grassy Cove', I was going down the road, kind of noodling in my mind, and this tune came to me. So I brought it to Sierra, during our Tennessee Folklife Apprenticeship and we worked on it together to make it even better.   The track 'Two Rivers Waltz' was written with Danny Roberts of The Grascals. We would get on Skype every week during the shutdown, and sometimes we wouldn't even talk much; we’d just get into creating tunes back and forth with our mandolins. We’ve come up with about 15 or 20 tunes from those sessions. Danny was one of the first ones to encourage me with creativity and not really say there were any rules to be followed. Once I started creating so freely with Danny, I began writing tunes all the time. I wrote over 100 instrumentals when I was twelve.”

The no-rules approach holds significant importance as one develops their own musical style. Wyatt says, “For me, Quarantine was a time to learn and create. We live on a rural farm with no neighbors. I’m not the kind of guy who wants to sit and watch TV or play video games, so with all the extra time and a brand new mandolin, my musical journey began.”

Embracing creativity as a boundless realm has become second nature to Wyatt. Arranging the tunes of Happy Valley was a collaborative journey with multi-instrumentalist Justin Moses, who not only played various instruments on the album but also took on the role of its producer.  “Justin really made it all come together better than I could have ever imagined. He is so knowledgeable about bluegrass and especially recording. He was very encouraging and patient. He played so many instruments. With Justin leading the way, it was easy to get everyone on the same page.”

The excitement for Wyatt’s debut album release and his upcoming performance at the Grand Ole Opry is palpable and reflects the hard work and dedication he has put into his craft. It's also impressive to see his growth as a musician, from initially learning the mandolin to now singing confidently on stage.  We asked him what skills he has gained in the last couple of years that helped him perform effectively as a musician.

“Once I got involved in the bluegrass community, I quickly realized that I needed to start singing. It’s now a key part of my journey to perform on stage. When I first started singing, I was hesitant to perform in front of anyone, but now I don’t even think twice; I just get up there and sing the high-lonesome sound. I knew that if I was going to perform at the Opry, I had to sing like so many of my heroes had before me. So I took that chance and went up there and did it. The crowd wasn’t expecting it, and I received a wildly energetic standing ovation.”

In November 2023, Wyatt achieved a historic milestone with his debut as an artist at the Grand Ole Opry, and he considers it one of the most unforgettable performances of his life. Alongside this momentous occasion, he fondly reflects on the opportunities he had to share the stage with Billy Strings at Doc Watson's 100th Birthday Celebration and to kick off “Walls of Time” with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan at his induction into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

“Getting to play with Billy was something I’d always dreamed about. He’s always been one of my heroes. He and I connected on Instagram, and I ended up playing with him at Doc’s 100th Birthday celebration. It blew my mind to walk up on a stage in front of 15,000 people. We played 'Watson’s Blues' and 'Soldier's Joy' just like Doc and Bill did so many years ago.”

In Wyatt's world, the journey is as important as the destination, and the notes he plays harmonize instinctively with the echoes of those who came before him. He dedicated his album to none other than his mentor, Bobby Osborne. Wyatt received tutoring from the bluegrass legend during a two-year scholarship to the Kentucky School of Bluegrass. Wyatt recalls the advice his hero shared with him as “going back to the roots of bluegrass and learning it from where it began.”

The standout track that encapsulates the essence of Happy Valley is Wyatt’s original composition, 'Blue Smoke,' featuring bluegrass icon Marty Stuart. In the young musician’s home, set against a backdrop of smoky blue, Wyatt wrote a rousing melody that captures the beauty of the region and the legacy of the music that was created there. This tune showcases Wyatt's ability to blend tradition with boundless creativity.

One can't help but be inspired by Wyatt’s drive to keep the roots of bluegrass alive while also making a name for himself in the next generation. His upcoming debut album stands as a testament to the bluegrass tradition juxtaposed with a future without limitations. Wyatt's passion for the genre, inspired by its “drive, power, and tight harmonies,” is unmistakable.

As we conclude our insightful conversation with Wyatt, his journey emerges as a captivating symphony, harmonizing dreams with the notes of reality. From innocent melodies conceived by a twelve-year-old in his bedroom to the profound compositions of a rising bluegrass star, Wyatt's music embodies the spirit of tradition and innovation.

We are immensely happy to have had the opportunity to talk with Wyatt as he embarks on what we feel to be a burgeoning career. We have already witnessed his collaborations with the legends of bluegrass and know that the stellar career ahead will be filled with some amazing collaborations, songs, albums, and performances. Keep a keen eye on Ellis and upcoming performances - and if you are attending MerleFest 2024, be sure to see him perform live on Friday, April 26th, 2024.  If you live close to Nashville, Tennessee, come celebrate this tremendous album release with him TONIGHT, February 2nd, at the Grand Ole Opry at 7PM.

To learn more about Wyatt Ellis, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Apple
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TIDAL
• Spotify
• TikTok