West Dakota Rose
ABOUT THE RELEASE
“West Dakota Rose” finds mandolinist Wyatt Ellis returning to his roots as an instrumentalist, teaming up with his longtime mentor Christopher Henry, founder and instructor at Noya Mountain Music. Originally written by Henry, the tune is a powerful modern instrumental standard that has become a fan favorite in the live sets of modern jam bands. Wyatt first learned “West Dakota Rose” directly from Christopher after discovering tune at age 10. Quickly, it became one of the cornerstone pieces in his early live shows, pushing Wyatt's technique, tone, and musical imagination beyound the standards at a young age.
The melody takes you on a journey through the full bluegrass ensemble. Beginning with Wyatt’s mandolin, it passes seamlessly to the twin fiddles of Noah Goebel and Christian Ward, then to Kyle Tuttle on banjo, returning again to the mandolin, then landing on a powerful guitar solo from the tune’s composer, Christopher Henry, before the whole band locks in together for a final run. Sarah Griffin’s bass line holds everything steady underneath, giving each musician room to soar. The result is a fluid, high-energy reading of “West Dakota Rose” where solos do not feel like separate showcases. Each turn grows out of the last, and when the band reaches that final full band section the intensity swells into a powerful finish.
At just 16, Wyatt Ellis’ story is continuing to unfold as a strong, young powerhouse in bluegrass music. Surrounded here by some of today’s most respected pickers, including Henry, who first taught him the tune, he steps into the circle as both master and apprentice, keeping the genre moving forward knee-to-knee, the same it always has, passed from one generation to the next. The collaboration reflects bluegrass’s long-standing tradition of mentorship while positioning a new generation at the forefront.
ABOUT THE ORIGINAL
“West Dakota Rose” was composed by Christopher Henry, a respected figure in contemporary bluegrass who the key musical mentors in Wyatt Ellis’s early mandolin development. A powerful instrumental that balances drive, melody, and emotional weight, the tune has steadily grown into a modern favorite in jam circles. Its haunting lines and climactic feel have made it a natural showpiece for many of today’s top pickers.
Released previously in Australia, “West Dakota Rose” has spread to wider audiences in recent years through the live performances of Billy Strings, who regularly features the tune in his live shows. That visibility has helped solidify the piece as a standout modern instrumental, one that bridges traditional bluegrass language with the energy and intensity of today’s evolving acoustic scene.
For Wyatt, recording “West Dakota Rose” with Henry is both a tribute and a milestone. Honoring the mentor who helped shape his playing and musical ear, Wyatt adds his own voice to a composition that deserves its place in the bluegrass canon. The result is not a cover, but the documentation of the tune’s living history.