Winds of Rowan County

Side A: Winds of Rowan County - Wyatt Ellis, Peter Rowan

ISRC Code - QMFME24405000
Written by: Wyatt Ellis (Wyatt Ellis Music, BMI) and Peter Rowan (Sea Lion Music, BMI)
Produced by: Peter RowanRecorded at: The Tractor Shed
Engineered by: Sean Sullivan
Mixed by: Sean Sullivan
Mastered by: David Glasser
Performed by:
Wyatt Ellis, Christopher Henry – Mandolin
Peter Rowan – Guitar, Vocals
David Mansfield – Fiddle
Christian Ward – Fiddle
Max Wareham – Banjo
Mike Bub – Bass

Winds of Rowan County began as an instrumental, composed by Wyatt Ellis on mandolin. The haunting and meandering tune was inspired by Wyatt's experience performing alongside Peter Rowan at the bluegrass legend's induction into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame at age 13.
The composition reflects Wyatt’s deep connection to the tradition while showcasing the magic of bluegrass music as it is handed down through generations.

After the induction, Wyatt and Peter conversed, reflecting on the history of a mandolin Wyatt had played that night, an instrument once used to raise funds for Bill Monroe’s gravestone. As they discussed Monroe’s legacy, a sudden wind swept through, lifting Peter’s hat and knocking his guitar case to the ground. The moment felt charged with meaning, and the two musicians exchanged a knowing look, sensing the spirit of Monroe all around them.

In 2024, while traveling in Ireland, Rowan, a gifted lyricist known for weaving stories into songs, formed lyrics inspired by the young musician's melody. Peter explained to Wyatt that the lyrics seemed to emerge from the landscape around him, fitting with his tune. Upon returning to the States, the former Bluegrass Boy was eager to record the song with Wyatt in Nashville, honoring their shared connection to the windy moment they shared a few years earlier.

The song unites two generations, Wyatt Ellis on mandolin and Peter Rowan on guitar. Supported by David Mansfield and Christian Ward on twin fiddles, Max Wareham on banjo, Mike Bub on bass, and Christopher Henry on mandolin, the track brings out the unique talents of each artist. Wyatt’s mandolin lines flow throughout, culminating in a twin-mandolin passage with his mentor, Christopher. Peter’s guitar solo resonates with both ancient and modern tones, while his voice, a rare and unmistakable instrument, carries the melody with deep, soul-stirring clarity as if each note was shaped by the history and heart of bluegrass itself.

Winds of Rowan County reflects a lineage tied back to Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass, whose influence echoes in Peter Rowan and young Wyatt Ellis today. From his formative years with Monroe to his groundbreaking work in Old and In the Way, Peter is a bridge between eras in bluegrass music, extending a path now to the next generation through Wyatt Ellis. Together, two once-in-a-generation musicians have created a timeless song with the qualities of a bluegrass classic: a melody that lingers, lyrics that stir, and a performance that binds past and present.