Wyatt Espalin “Adds a fresh voice to the alternative folk scene with songs that mourn opportunities lost and celebrate hope renewed.” – Wylie Graver, Verge Live Magazine
With the Ocoee River in East Tennessee as the backdrop, and North Georgia on the horizon, Wyatt Espalin’s debut album, Songwriter/Singer (2015), was born. Entertaining audiences in his hometown of Hiawassee, Georgia as early as age eight, Wyatt’s passion for music was obvious, even from the music barn stage built by his grandfather on the campground where Wyatt was raised.
His songs have garnered much attention, winning the New Song Songwriting competition at the acclaimed L.E.A.F. festival in 2014. He also placed twice as a finalist in the Chris Austin Songwriting competition at Merlefest (2009, 2019), the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriting Competition (2014, 2019) and Eddie’s Attic Open Mic Shootout (2014, 2015). Wyatt won 3rd place at the 2019 Songwriter Serenade and is a finalist for 2020. Performing solo or traveling with a revolving set of talented musicians as Trees Leave, Wyatt Espalin has found a way to continue writing and performing these songs that have longed to be free.