Article Contributed by Morris Public Relations
Published on February 12, 2026
WYATT ELLIS RETURNS TO INSTRUMENTAL ROOTS WITH LATEST RELEASE “WEST DAKOTA ROSE”
Mandolinist extraordinaire Wyatt Ellis returns to his instrumental roots with his latest single release, “West Dakota Rose.” The track features Ellis’s longtime mentor Christopher Henry.
Written by Henry, the tune has become a modern instrumental standard and a fan favorite in the live sets of contemporary jam bands. Ellis first learned “West Dakota Rose” directly from Henry at age 10, and it quickly became a cornerstone of his own live shows.
At just 16, Ellis continues to emerge as a formidable young force in bluegrass. Surrounded by some of today’s most respected pickers, including his mentor who first taught him the tune, Ellis steps into the circle as both apprentice and master, carrying the tradition forward the way it always has: passed hand to hand, generation to generation.
LISTEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZKWbJRL8Wo
The melody carries listeners through the bluegrass ensemble, beginning with Ellis’s mandolin before passing seamlessly to the twin fiddles of Noah Goebel and Christian Ward, then to Kyle Tuttle on banjo. It returns to Ellis on mandolin before landing on a powerful guitar solo from Henry and bringing the full band together for a driving final run. Sarah Griffin’s bass anchors the performance, giving each musician room to soar. The result is a fluid, high-energy reading of “West Dakota Rose,” where each solo grows naturally out of the last rather than standing alone.
The collaboration reflects bluegrass’s long-standing tradition of mentorship while positioning a new generation at the forefront.
