S10:E24.6/17/2023
Wyatt Ellis, 14-year-old musical mega-talent from East Tennessee
Today we are setting the table with a visit with a tremendously talented 14-year-old musician who makes his home in East Tennessee, Wyatt Ellis. He sings in that high lonesome sound and plays in a style all his own, heavily influenced by the sounds of the father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, along with Peter Rowan and Bobby Osborne.
Wyatt has had quite a year in his 13th year, in 2022, with highlights including a full-circle Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour with his mentor Sierra Hull, receiving a scholarship to work with Bobby Osborne from the KY School of Bluegrass, kicking off the CMA fest with David Harvey at the Gibson Garage, playing mandolin at Peter Rowan’s induction to the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, performing at Marty Stuart's Grand-reopening of the Ellis Theatre in Philadelphia MS. He also performed on the Grand ole Opry. All of this at the age of 13. Wyatt has recently played music with Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Bryan Sutton, and more in Winston-Salem, NC, to celebrate what would have been Doc Watson’s 100th Birthday. And he played on stage at Merlefest this past April.
Wyatt made his own dream come true with the help of Dailey and Vincent - playing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 13. Sierra Hull has also been an enormous part of Wyatt’s road along learning this Appalachian music. Wyatt is humble, not egotistical, and has spent countless hours learning mandolin, fiddle, piano, bass, guitar, and singing. He also enjoys raising collies and gardening with his family on their Blount County, Tennessee farm. And one of Wyatt’s favorite dishes is Sheperd's Pie.
Wyatt will also be playing music as part of the Dancing Bear Lodge and Appalachian Bistro’s Appalachian Homecoming the weekend of August 5-7, 2023.
LINKS:
- Wyatt Ellis: https://wyattellis.com/
- Dancing Bear Lodge and Appalachian Bistro Appalachian Homecoming: https://dancingbearlodge.com/event/appalachian-homecoming-2023/
- Junior Appalachian Musicians: https://jamkids.org/
- Peter Rowan: https://peter-rowan.com/
- Bill Monroe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Monroe
- Sierra Hull: https://www.sierrahull.com/
- Paul Brewster: https://www.facebook.com/paulbrewstercountrymusic/
- Bobby Osborn: https://www.facebook.com/bobbyosbornertx/
- Emi Sunshine (arranged and sung the Tennessee Farm Table theme song when she was 9 years old!): https://theemisunshine.com/
Wyatt Ellis. Photo by Joseph Cash.
